New Orleans Bar and Grill

NOTE: New Orleans underwent a redesign (possible change in ownership?) a few years back. It lost the kitschy decor and raised prices.


Located at 4312 Big Tree Way in Greensboro, New Orleans Bar and Grill specializes in Cajun and Creole cuisine. It is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and features a full-service bar, event space, and catering.

Good Cajun (or Cajun and Creole, to be accurate) food is hard to come by, so this newish addition to Greensboro’s dining scene engendered a certain amount of enthusiasm. However, that enthusiasm was tempered by healthy skepticism: next to a Chinese buffet off Wendover Avenue is not where one would think to go for a top-notch meal. Don’t let the location fool you, though. New Orleans Bar and Grill looks like a keeper.

The restaurant is housed in a rather large two-story building, but size in eateries is not always an advantage. Too much empty space can feel cold and lonely. Fortunately, New Orleans is inviting and well-appointed. Take a moment to admire the arched entryways, the brick columns, and the assortment of brass instruments high on the walls. Appropriately, a steady stream of classic jazz adds to the ambiance.

Turning toward the menu, New Orleans offers everything you’d expect and many things you won’t. Cajun classics, such as gumbo and jambalaya are here, but so are crawfish nachos and a section of pasta dishes (which, confusingly, includes paella). From fish and seafood to steaks to salads and sandwiches to chicken prepared a number of different ways, the menu is dexterous enough to accommodate a variety of palates. Pricing ($8 and up for lunch sandwiches, $13-$16 for non-steak entrees) is no great bargain, but it is still within reason.

If a first visit was any indication, New Orleans does more than just look the part. The gumbo was thick, slightly salty, and thoroughly satisfying. The jambalaya included banana peppers, an unexpected twist that brought some welcome heat. The only demerit (unless you want to count misspelled menu items) came when my girlfriend tried what was supposed to be Cajun tilapia. The lightly fried fish was well-prepared but devoid of Cajun seasoning and decidedly bland.

Taken all together – compelling food, relaxing atmosphere, hospitable servers – New Orleans Bar and Grill has a lot to offer. Repeat visits will likely test whether the rest of the menu holds up as well as the staples I sampled, but the decision to go back seems like a big easy.

8/10