JUST A QUICKIE: THE UNCLE BOOGA | THE CHICORY HOUSE
THE CHICORY HOUSE – Located in The Rink at 2727 Prytania St. New Orleans, LA 70130
Here is the house, where it all happens…
Led by Executive Chef Martha Gilreath, The Chicory House is the newest breakfast/lunch option on Prytania with a menu designed to satisfy your craving for comfort with a side of class.
‘The Chicory House is a first time restaurant venture for both Carroll Gelderman…and Barkley Rafferty…with Gilreath helming the gastronomic wheel. … Suffice to say, Queens rule this house.’
A pastry case practically cleaned out when I arrived around noonish is good indication to best get here when doors open at 7 am if you want to claim a savory biscuit, pull apart English muffin or morning sweet; all housemade by Gilreath and her team (including bagels, jams and juices!! Oh, my!!) to go with your cuppa Joe; chicory, of course.
(It’s worth noting for java enthusiasts, The Chicory House also has a variety of coffee and espresso based drinks; hot and cold.)
I came for ‘The Mac’ (it’s a phase I’m going through, for sure) however, breakfast items are served till 11 am. Phooey!! At the suggestion of Chef Gilreath herself, I had ‘The Uncle Booga’ on multi-grain bread…housemade as well.
‘Tender coffee rubbed roast beef sliced thinly with Challerhocker Swiss, Creole mustard spread; served with a coffee jus to plunge before each and every bite – which I could have alternately bathed in if I wasn’t in public.’
Images won’t do justice on account my appetite took precedence over pretty pics. I assure you folks; Gilreath’s spin on the French dip is indeed a taste buds yes moment. Tender coffee rubbed roast beef sliced thinly with Challerhocker (pronounced, ‘holler hocker’) Swiss, Creole mustard spread; served with a coffee jus to plunge before each and every bite – which I could have alternately bathed in if I wasn’t in public.
ATMOSPHERE: Located in The Rink, a shopping center which was once, well, a skating rink – Crescent City Skating Rink to be exact – when it was built in 1884, the charming aesthetic of The Chicory House commands good vibes; bright, open and airy with that touch of Garden District sophistication. Counter-order, get your number stand and seat yourself anywhere – hopefully by one of the bay windows to people watch.
ABOUT THE CHICORY HOUSE:
The Chicory House is a first time restaurant venture for both Carroll Gelderman, Co-Owner at Garden District Book Store, and Barkley Rafferty, Co-Founder at Royal Merchant Trading Company; with Gilreath helming the gastronomic wheel. A graduate of NOCHI Culinary School, Martha co-founded King Cake upstart, Nolita, in 2021, and is featured amongst an esteemed group of King Cake creators in ‘The Big Book of King Cake’ (2021) by Matt Haines. Gilreath was also an entrant in this year’s Hogs for the Cause, competing in several categories which she and her team, That’ll Do Crew, made honorable mentioned in two. Suffice to say, Queens rule this house.
ADDRESS: 2727 Prytania St. New Orleans, LA 70130
HOURS: 7 am – 3 pm Daily (Breakfast and Lunch) I Closed Tuesdays
SERVICES: Dine-In (No Reservations)
PRICE: $$