It was our first trip, so it was a touristy trip. We tried the things you see on tv over and over instead of trying to find hidden gems. Especially shocking was how good SO MANY of the classics turned out to be. Only twice was I disappointed, and by disappointed I mean the place was only good. Much more often I was surprised by how much better the place was than expected, a rare treat repeated and repeated in the Crescent City. If you are from our neck of the wood, or anywhere else than NOLA, it is a completely different world, and one worth experiencing for multitudinous reasons. Vegas is a different world but it is a calculated and manufactured experience, New Orleans has evolved in a storied and historic manner into what it is, you can feel it everywhere you go. Nothing like it.      True Dat.
 

Dooky Chase
 New Orleans, Louisiana        Date of Visit  12/15/15       http://www.dookychaserestaurant.com

We crossed the street from Willie Mae’s Scotch House to the hallowed halls of Dookie Chase’s. It’s a venerable and beautiful institution in Treme. It was quite an experience, unfortunately we had just dined at Willie Mae’s. Comparison is a bitch.

The place is gorgeous, colorful and arty. The food and service were clearly outshined on this particular day.
 

The Place Is Beautiful
 

Where Derek at Willie Mae's was quietly and strangely like a close family member, our server at Dooky Chase's was quietly aloof and distant. The difference is immense.

Mother dear and I ordered the buffet, Steph ordered the fried chicken dinner for a more direct comparison. From the buffet we had an array of offerings. The potato and olive salads were tasty. Green beans weren’t very good but the ham inside was delicious…better than the “world’s best at Mother’s. Good greens.

The meatball was a split decision, to me it was fine but Mom didn’t care for it at all. The red beans and rice suffered by comparison…sweeter than Willie Mae's and lacking the spice and earthiness that made them so great. There was a well done hot sausage loaded with paprika and spicy red pepper, no apologies for the heat here, as it should be.

The cabbage gumbo was really nice, the peach cobbler, a sweet ending. The fried chicken paled like Caspar the friendly ghost to Willie Mae’s. The crust is much more mealy, the meat dry and lifeless, boo.
 

Red Beans Suffered By Comparison
 

Sausage Definitely Spicy, Dry But Tasty
 

Steph’s chicken arrived, it was piping hot and much more juicy than the dried out buffet option, but it still didn’t have the crisp or the flavor of Willie Mae’s. The mac and cheese also failed to match the most recent version. What I did really enjoy were the Brabant potatoes. Little tuber cubers are boiled and then fried and coated in a mix with which I’m not familiar. Clearly cheese, something to give it twang and a fair bit of butter, there is clearly other stuff which gave the cubes their unique taste while the cooking process delivered unique texture. Dooky Chase’s is a beautiful place dedicated to NOLA, Creole, and it is honestly very good. Order from the menu, not the buffet. As for me, I’ll be across the block, ordering a second round of chicken.