Taste real New Orleans Hispanic flavors at these restaurants to celebrate Latino heritage
By Christopher Leach,
1 days ago
NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO ) — In celebrating the rich flavor of Central America, South America and the Caribbean, as well as their contributions to the City of New Orleans the United States, WGNO’s Christopher Leach and Kenny Lopez went on a Latino restaurant food tour at a few restaurants in the city.
The city of New Orleans has a lot of Hispanic flavor. The restaurant scene has changed over the years with Hurricane Katrina and the Coronavirus pandemic. While some restaurants have closed, many new restaurants have opened in their place.
Any foodie can travel all over the world through flavor without needing a passport because of the diversity of food in the Crescent City and the surrounding area.
There is a rich history between New Orleans and Honduras. Sabores De Mi H at 3521 Florida Ave. A, in Kenner, has some great Honduran food. The H stands for Honduras. The owner is Armando Garay. The Baleada is a staple food in Honduras and Sabores De Mi H serves baleadas well, in a variety of ways. They also boast beautiful fried red fish with rice and beans, and sweet plantains or green plantains.
Empanola is an awesome empanada shop with multiple locations around the region, in and outside Louisiana. The newest location is right next to the St. Louis Cathedral at 632 St. Ann St. It has everything from Beef Argentina, Chicken Peruvian, gumbo and a million other flavors. Jimena Urrutia is one of the owners, along with Marcelo Garcia. Urrutia is of Argentinean heritage, and she combines South American flavors along with flavors of the Crescent City. The Beef Argentina has ground beef, peppers, onions and olives, surrounded by a flakey crust. The Chicken Peruvian has roasted chicken, black olives, cheese, a creamy sauce as well as hard-boiled egg. During Mardi Gras, the shops have a Guava King Cake that is out of this world!
Belle Chasse Cafe is an awesome chic diner-inspired restaurant at 8475 Highway 23 in Belle Chasse. Anny Hoepelman is one of the co-owners and of Dominican Republic heritage. The restaurant serves a wide array of dishes from chilaquiles, shrimp tacos with a homemade sauce and mango, red velvet waffles with chicken and great cocktails with elaborate designs. The food here is well worth the drive!
Inside the Siberia bar is Que Pasta NOLA at 2227 St Claude Ave. in New Orleans. The owner, Chef Amanda Alard, has an amazing talent of blending her stylish avant-garde punk rock style with her Cuban and Honduran heritage. She is a master pasta maker and is known for her squid ink pasta, as well as always switching up her menu, in accordance with her heart. Her dishes include a chorizo bolognese with tostones, Dominican fried cheese, pappardelle pasta and a special Coca-Cola red sauce. Alard is known for her oxtails as well, which sell out fast!
(WGNO/Christopher Leach)
Konrad Kantor is a mixologist and the co-owner of Manolito on 508 Dumaine St. in New Orleans. Manolito is a Cuban craft cocktail bar with great food. New Orleans and Havana are both cities where many classic cocktails were born. While Cuba is known for the daiquiri, there is a similar drink that is older called the Canchanchara. It was popularized by the Cuban revolutionary soldiers who fought against Spain for Cuban independence. Manolito makes a great Canchanchara that consists of:
1 tablespoon of honey
1 tablespoon of hot water
1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice
3 ounces of añejo Cuban rum or aguardiente (preferably Havana Club)
Ice
Lime wedge and fresh sugarcane, for garnish (optional)
We encourage everyone to celebrate Hispanic Heritage and culture with mind, body, soul and their tastebuds!
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