the juju bag cafe

the best new orleans fried catfish with sweet mashed potatoes!. this place is great! i saw their sign last friday and stopped for a quick lunch. fried catfish with sides was the special of the day. that was the best fried catfish i've eaten in new orleans in a long time! meaty and moist and light on the batter! great sweet potatoes served mashed. all freshly prepared. just like home. this place has a lovely low-key decor with african inspired accents. and a courtyard. well worth a short trip a little off the beaten track.

good eats---great hostess and staff. first, about that sunday service review. that visitor, obviously being new to this fabulous, friendly, healthy alternative restaurant, did not know that sharon martin and ms t are lifelong friends. that "yell" was simply humourous endearment shared between these two ladies who have been friends for over 30 years. sorry, you missed the humor.
now, about the food. from the simplicity and deliciousness of the avocado chicken soup, which would make your mother feel better on any given day, to the falling off of the bone turkey wings, right down to the jujubag mixed basket of home fried fish, chicken, and shrimp there is something for everyone on this menu.
all day breakfast/brunch on saturday and sunday accompanied by local jazz/blues artists, such as the lovely sharon martin, and now everyday specials you can order on any day of the week and a cozy and intimate ambience either indoors, on the front porch or the shaded patio, makes this unique new orleans gem an everyday getaway right in the gentilly/lakeview area.
stop in and see ms t, a native we are so proud to call our own, and i promise she won't yell at you!

fabulous. my group was very pleased. we loved the roasted turkey wing and the okra & shrimp! worth grabbing a cab.

always good food, good people and a good time at the juju bag cafe. the juju bag cafe is one of my favorite places to be, which is usually 2 or 3 times a week. always good food, good people and a good time. i especially like the spoken word sessions on thursday and the friday night jazz. i had a wonderful time last friday night. miss t, the owner, fixed me the grilled salmon stake salad that was perfect and the nomad theory jazz band was jammin'. they are wonderful young jazz musicians. jessie mcbride joined them playing the key board. here is a photo from the set. enjoy.

i'm certain that most people in the gentilly/lakeview do not realized that this gem of a restaurant even
exist. the juju bag has an awesome sunday brunch that serves turkey bacon, turkey sausages, turkey patties, hash browns, grits, eggs, oatmeal, homemade hot biscuits, toast, fresh fruit, salads, and a flavorful chicken avocado soup! also the lovely sharon martin serves up smooth jazzy entertainment during the sunday brunch. i always loved to listen to live music and the juju bag definitely delivers. last but not least the outdoor landscaping is completely breathtaking to say the least. i tried to capture it in picture but you will definitely have to see this one for your self!!!

this place is too good. the red beans and jerked chicken are amazing. the lemonade is nearly perfect too. my only complaint is the wait time, but that's okay because the food is worth it.

pleasantly surprised for the meal and the price. nice family restaurant and staff. trying the chicken and waffles. will definitely be i spot for a late breakfast or brunch.

the juju bag is a must. as many times as i have passed by when visiting my parents i never stooped in until now for lunch. the service was nothing short of your family kitchen. i had the tomato basil soup which was outstanding and the smoked salmon wrap which was delicious. most of all the conversation with the owner ms tommye fin and enriching. this will be a regular stoo when i visit nola.

amazing people and food!!!!. happened upon this great cafe by chance and i love it. it worth the little drive from the lower garden district for such good food. the staff is so friendly. can't wait to go back. recommend to everyone.

juju spicey oysters po-boy. juju spicey oyster po-boy


-----07 jan, 2015-----

shrimp pesto pasta


-----07 jan, 2015-----

crispy fried chicken and salad. crispy fried chicken and salad

great place in gentilly. was looking for a small, quiet place to have lunch with a friend in gentilly. the juju bag cafe was perfect. the atmosphere is warm and comfortable -- decorated with interesting pieces of african artwork, with tables both inside and out. the owners and staff were exceptionally friendly; happy to answer any questions we had about the various pieces of art, the name of the cafe etc. the food was well-prepared and served nicely. i had a salad and my friend had a sandwich; both were very good. had we been hungrier, however, we would have tried one of the main entrees -- the red beans and rice with jerk chicken ordered by other diners looked really excellent -- like something you might find at your grandmother's house. yum! this is definitely a place i'll go back to. apparently, on friday evenings they have dinner and jazz in the outside courtyard, plus a brunch on week-ends.

juju bag cafe 5363 franklin.... juju bag cafe
5363 franklin ave
new orleans, la 70122
(504) 872-0969


i am reluctant to share this with you because this place has become my personal refuge. but since sharing is caring....

the juju bag cafe has two things that make it a great place to eat, relax and hangout: ambience and great food!

with the mellow colors and music, they have created a very warm and relaxing atmosphere that embraces you and encourages you to stay. i often eat and just sit for a couple of hours, indulging myself in relaxation. to facilitate this even more, there is an expansive patio in the rear for you to soak up a little nature with your beverage and meal.

while advertised as vegetarian and vegan, there are some delicious fish and chicken items on the menu for the carnivore in all of us. some of my favorites have been the salmon burger on flatbread with the dijon mustard, as well as the avocado salad and the grilled chicken panini with the raspberry vinaigrette sauce. my favorite beverage has become the hot chai tea. the portions are ample and satisfying!

if that was not enough, there is good entertainment that goes along with the good food.

on thursday nights there is the 'word connection' open mic spoken word show. a variety of poets share their prowess at combining word, rhyme and rhythm. so come by and have a listen, be inspired and speak on it!

on friday nights there is a jazz ensemble that plays beautiful music that will certainly provide the rhythm to aid in the peristaltic action of your rhythmic digestion.

also, from time to time, there are theatrical productions staged out in the expansive patio area.

the juju bag has you covered, mind, body and soul. so, with all of this, can you understand why i wanted to keep this to myself? so now my secret is out.

come and join me!

great lunch stop. had a really good dining experience here today. very friendly staff and the owner was very interesting. now to the food. the buffet was perfect with several entrees and some delicious mac and cheese and sweet potatoes. very reasonable.

it's a great foodie place i loved the jazz on friday night , the patio is a wonderful surprise the drinks were very good. we had shrimp and grits was delightful , but the bread pudding topped off a wonderful evening. very laid back and very friendly service.i am going back and taking my girl friends for a night out.

patron. i visited the juju bag cafe on friday the food was wonderful it was a buffet of new orleans home cooking at its best. the bread pudding was a delightful treat you must try it. the restaurant is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy some jazz musicians on a regular basis. the patio was also an added feature ,the drinks were well done also. great adult fun