New Orleans is world-renowned for its cuisine and dining culture. However, even well-known restaurants in the Crescent City have been facing tough times and uncertain futures as of late. That’s carving a path for a different type of business plan for culinary entrepreneurs who want to test the market but aren’t quite ready to shoulder the risks inherent in investing in a brick and mortar restaurant. WWL’s Tommy Tucker spoke to NOLA.com food writer Ian McNulty about the new trend and some of the noteworthy spots he’s found.
“The French Quarter has historic restaurants that are recognized around the world as well as low-key restaurants that have been there forever and are part of the neighborhood fabric and character. We need them. But, it's getting harder and harder to hold onto them when real estate changes, prices increase, and there are a ton of other pressures on small and independent restaurants,” explained McNulty.
So, what is a “pop-up” restaurant? Essentially, chefs and restaurateurs with culinary know-how are partnering with pre-existing bars (or other shops) to offer their food for a limited time in the same space. These operations can range from special “one night only” events to long-term partnerships between bars and pop-up vendors. New Orleans is no stranger to the concept, as many odd partnerships have been made within the city. Whether it’s at a dive bar or a more upscale space, you can find a bevy of options in the Crescent City.
One notable mention from McNulty was a newer pop-up operation called Hi Tide currently partnered up with the neighborhood bar Carrollton Station. They specialize in a square, Detroit-style deep dish pizza and (in a twist many might not expect) crudo. For those not familiar, crudo is a dish of raw fish or seafood, often lightly dressed with olive oil or citrus. While it may seem like an unlikely pairing all around, patrons have been enthusiastic about the food and the Instagram feed for the pop-up has become popular.
Because of the temporary nature of these eateries, most recommend that you follow their social media accounts for information on where they’ll be and when they’ll be there. Many local pop-ups rove between establishments, so faithful patrons will want to keep tabs on where they might move to next. If you drop into a local tavern and try something tasty from one of these pop-up kitchens, give them a follow to see what’s next. Some may evolve into brick and mortar establishments as some catering companies and pop-up operations have done. Some may continue to roam from place to place. It’s a new frontier to be explored in a city known for culinary culture.