Building Hope, Changing Lives: Cafè Reconcile, New Orleans, LA

The best food on this New Orleans trip? Cafè Reconcile.

It’s a lunch-only service restaurant with Southern foods cooked and served by at-risk youth in job training. Cafè Reconcile builds hope while changing lives.

Everything we ate was delicious. We ended up there because of its proximity — across the street — to the SoFAB Museum, where we had headed after the opening of the John & Bonnie Boyd Hospitality & Culinary Library, where my book collection is now housed.

Portions are enormous; the prices the opposite with delicious food. The chicken and andouille gumbo ($4) danced in my mouth! That cup s0 satisfied, so I couldn’t finish the hearty white beans and shrimp.

We enjoyed fried-to-perfection crispy okra ($6) and onion rings; the chili-glazed moist salmon ($14); the sweet potato crumble ($4) reminiscent of Thanksgiving and the salad super fresh.

No tips. Instead, they ask for donations to fund their next generation of interns. Not to be missed.

Cafe Reconcile
1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
New Orleans, NA
504.568.1157
cafereconcile.org

About the Author: Bonnie Tandy Leblang

Blogger Bonnie Tandy Leblang has been covering food since before it was hip to do so! She’s penned magazine, newspaper and syndicated food columns in addition to cookbooks. Follow her on twitter @BonnieBOTB and on Instagram@BiteoftheBest and at @BonnieBOTB "I eat for a living!” is her mantra, sharing what she’s sampled so you’ll know where (or where not) to go, plus what food products and gadgets to try. For her full bio go to the about us page.

Building Hope, Changing Lives: Cafè Reconcile, New Orleans, LA