Our Memphis Trip, Day 1, Sunday

Crescent City Steaks, Since 1934

On a Sunday afternoon two weeks ago we set out on the first leg of our trip to Memphis, Tennessee. The train out of New Orleans wasn't until Monday afternoon but we decided to drive to New Orleans the day before and spend the night there. This meant we could have dinner at a famous old New Orleans restaurant, Crescent City Steaks.

The Vojkovich family has owned and operated the place for all of its 73 years and it has the reputation of having perhaps the best steaks in New Orleans or anywhere for that matter. I had never been there and Jack thinks it was nearly 50 years ago for him.

It's in an older part of town, on Broad Street about two miles from the heart of the French Quarter. To call the neighborhood "seedy" won't get you sued by any of the locals.

The restaurant is in a neat, old building and at 3:30 on a Sunday afternoon it was packed with serious steak eaters. And steak is about all they serve aside from a shrimp or chicken dish ( by special request, only) plus a variety of vegetables and potato side dishes.

The steak was wonderful. The best I have ever had and I think everybody around us felt the same way. The prices are good, too. About 60% of what Ruth's Chris charges for the same high quality prime beef. The decor is clean and simple and the service is great.

The Best of New Orleans.com reviewed it in their 2007 Winter Restaurant Guide when Crescent City Steaks reopened after Hurricane Katrina:

CRESCENT CITY STEAKS, 1001 N. Broad Street, (504) 821-3271

This just-reopened Mid-City institution Crescent City Steaks is back serving big cuts of beef that arrive at the table sizzling in butter. There's the 36-oz. porterhouse for two, plus filets, T-bones, rib-eyes and sirloin strips. Bordelaise sauce, potatoes and vegetables are available as side dishes. By request, the kitchen can prepare shrimp or chicken Clemenceau. Reservations recommended. Lunch Wed.-Fri., dinner Wed.-Sun. Credit cards and checks. $$$

Please note: Be sure to call before you go. The hours of operation vary quite a bit.