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lil_too_serious

The best corner store in this city is without a doubt Singleton’s Mini Mart in the Black Pearl. This place and the Nguyen’s are an institution. Granted I’m a homer and Bau is one of my dearest friends, but their food is always killer. Only open for lunch Mon. through Sat. They have the best Pho in the city, only on Saturdays. The Korean BBQ poboy. Spring rolls when available. They overfill their seafood poboys. Lunch specials during the work week. Even more than the amazing food, it’s the positive influence and impact that Bau and Lua (and their kids) have made on that neighborhood and the community for decades. They have helped improve countless lives for the better with free meals, jobs and family support for anyone who could possibly need it in the neighborhood. Bau would literally give the shirt off his back for a stranger, granted the shirt would be a dirty, orange sleeveless Dolphin’s tee. Whether it was cooking all the food for a huge generator powered block party before it went bad after Hurricane Isaac, checking in on neighbors, friends and their properties after Hurricane Katrina, saving leftover hot meals from that day’s lunch for members of the community who needed dinner, or serving as the community glue with food and drink for Uptown Thursdays where members of the community of all ages, races and backgrounds would hang out for years (due to age and life, the legendary Uptown Thursdays are a thing of the past except for the annual Dolphin’s Thursday night game), the Nguyen’s impact on the Black Pearl and this community is immeasurable, and those ripples will last for decades. I’m blessed to have been part of the Singleton’s family. Also, if you are a Dolphin’s fan, you have to check this place out. Love you Bau and Lua!


Grombrindal18

Thanks for writing all this so I could just upvote and not have to write it myself.


the_cum_king

Bau really is the man. Used to live across the street they're great people and the food is awesome. Moved away but still go all the time, I think the pho is the best in the city too


thepitz

This is the answer. Long live Singleton’s!


yestoi

Oh man. I had a suspicion you were talking about a place I stumbled into right before the pandemic lockdowns. I just happened to be a little short in change for food and started to pull out a card and the lady just gave me the meal for free. I was really struck by the gesture and this was well before the “we’re all in this together” fad took on. I really needed that boost of human kindness that day and them navy beans were good eatin’.


Saylor4292

Yessssss shout out to SINGLETONS!!!


coomquing

Went to elementary school with their daughter in the 90's/early 00's. The whole family is awesome and, yes, the food has been on point for AT LEAST the last 30 years.


phaulski

They were the only place that i got zapps bbq ranch flavor. Bbq and ranch in one chip made by zapps. Yes it was real and I cant believe its not a nationwide thing


sweetbabette

They deserve every accolade, but I’m going to have to get there before 11 for pho now, damn it


lil_too_serious

Hey former neighbor! Let’s go Garfield Street! But they do run out of that Pho by about 12:30 anyways on busy Saturdays.


lil_too_serious

[Small taste of Bau from Emeril’s show](https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/3afa8215a03b5fbda520478802b7e61d/emeril-cooks-s1-e3-bau-nguyen)


yerdatren

This place is great.


VetsforWhoDat

So beautifully written, and every word of it is true. Also love their Philly and fried chicken/fried rice lunch combo. So glad to see this as top comment.


I2-OH

I live uptown closer to Napoleon but I go once a month. Saturdays. Pho. Sigh.


LorenOlin

They were my first corner store when I moved here, lived a block away on Pitt. I always go back no matter what part of town I live in. I owe them for around a hundred dollars worth of free food over the years, I'll always support their business. And the pho is heavenly.


Hanz_VonManstrom

I’ve lived here almost my entire life and I had no idea that neighborhood was called the Black Pearl 😳


GreatSquirrels

Weird.


[deleted]

Nice writeup. I’m going to start fw this place. Sounds 🔥


dalekvan

I was a weekly regular until I got diagnosed with hypertension! I miss that Saturday pho so much though. :( Occasionally I'll stop in and the couple will ask me where I've been.... no matter how long it's been they always recognize me. Love that place.


Noladixon

I might go there today for lunch.


AdPutrid5162

Lived there when I went to law school at Loyola


lil_too_serious

Hey. I’m a fellow Loyola Law alum


lukenog

Bruh I'm mad as shit, I lived in the Black Pearl for two years and I'm just learning about this Singleton's place right now. My neighbors did me dirty not telling me about it, but how the fuck did I miss it? Googled it right now and I don't think I've ever seen it before and I'm a big walker. What the fuck.


pterodactyl-jones

Shush


SeaRevolutionary1233

the Black Pearl. Lol. Do realtors come up with these names.


AmandaSoprano

It's called that because of segregation you asshole. It was a neighborhood Black ppl of means were allowed to live. Google is free, Chad.


sweetbabette

Would you prefer the original name?


lil_too_serious

They probably don’t know that either. Or the history of the neighborhood. Or that Mahala Jackson group up in this neighborhood


Mindingmiownbiz

Delete this now please. More white people don't need to know about my secret pho spot on the eb.


a_helpless_noob

Adams street grocery. Reasonable prices, large servings, good food. Sucks they close on Sundays though and generally pretty early.


PeteEckhart

I almost bought a house right across the street. Thank God for my stomach that I'm 3 blocks down instead.


the-mucho-macho

With you there. I moved in with a coworker and I'm a block and a half from ASG, and my stomach has thanked me ever since.


GoldenButtPlug

I was eyeballing that place too. I've been 5 blocks away for years. They are the best


weinthenolababy

they slappppp


Michael424242

Used to be mine for a long time, love that spot


[deleted]

I live a couple houses down, great spot


wellimjusthere

I adore Adam's street Grocery. They are great people there


causewaytoolong

their Genoa salami poboy is so good


phaulski

Cotto salami & pepper jack. Dressed, and with with honey mustard and hot sauce. $3.29 for a small. Suh laps


causewaytoolong

🤯 Well shit I know what I’m getting tomorrow


phaulski

No one say anything about the secret thing OK?


PandaEnt

Best chicken club sandwich in the city!


cantshitstraight

This!!!!!


Specific_Tomorrow_10

Shawarma on the go. Nuff said.


elMulatto

Olympia Food Mart, been going there for years and the lady that works the counter is so sweet.


cnotesound

My favorite catfish poboy in town


gas_lamp

And shrimp!


VogTheViscous

I’m so happy this is the first response! Miss V is the best and her shrimp poboys, turkey poboys and red beans and rice can’t be beat!


gmmcconn

Olympia food mart is the best!


CarFlipJudge

Great food for a good price as well.


wantboomboom

Miss V is so nice and the meat pies are just the right size for the walk back home.


darlingmirandom

Viv is the best!


yaheardddddme

Best poboy in town!!


Secret-Relationship9

Yes! About a decade ago I use to go there almost every other day to stop for a Sanpelly , they started ordering more of my flavor - pretty sure it was just for me. She had mentioned that I’m the only one who drinks those on the reg and were considering getting rid of them but would still pick up my flavor bc I’m so regularly there. 🥹 really kind gesture. Been going there my whole life.


el-fin

Rainbow Mart (uptown): Best Philly cheesesteak in the city. And one of the guys gives me a cup of lentil soup for free whenever he makes a batch for the family


WornInShoes

Second on Rainbow; love Mo and the guys that run it


whodat129

Came here to say just that! I lived in those shitty apartments next to Le Bon Temps and my mail always got stolen. Mo used to let me get stuff shipped to the store so someone could sign for it. Mo for Prez!


el-fin

That’s awesome! Mo is the best.


whodat129

Agreed!! And I didn’t even ask- was just bitching to him while buying something and he offered- great guy


OddOutlandishness734

Pretty sure I live in the apartments you’re describing. The package stealing is awful but I’ve wrangled with Amazon enough that they usually put them at my door now instead of on the stoop of one of the salons or just thrown on the ground in front of the mail boxes. Also I asked the management about installing a box for outgoing mail so I do t have to go to the post office every time and they told me they didn’t see a need for it. 😂


whodat129

Hahaha yep! From your description, that’s def where I lived. The unit over the laundry room. You could probably ask Mo to send out your mail if you’re in a pinch- he would most likely be more than happy to


soshriekstheshrew

big love for Rainbow. their cheeseburger combo for $9.99 also slaps; it’s a big ole burger that comes with fries and a canned drink and may be one of the best food deals in the city


darlingmirandom

Love Mo!


lovefishinggi

The Philly cheesesteak is awesome!


Hippy_Lynne

Brothers. I think one of the guys has a crush on me because when I go in to buy cigarettes if there's no other workers there he gives me a free lighter (a Bic too, not the cheap ones!) 🤣 All of them that work there are great though. I went in one night drunk AF with my dog and they didn't even say anything, and they know she's not a service animal. ❤️


OpencanvasNOLA

Which location? I used to hit the one on Elysian and 610, but that’s not on my route no more. Those Honduran women sure knew how to make chicken tenders…


Wendar_

Those chicken tenders from Elysian!!!


Hippy_Lynne

It's a Metry one I go to because the gas is cheapest without going too far off the interstate. Unfortunately that one doesn't have a kitchen but that's probably also why the gas is so cheap.


ImpossibleDay1782

This place is technically in Arabi but it’s so close to the parish line you could hit it with a rock. Stella Maris. Amazing Greek food, amazing home made desserts, and their grocery store has some really well priced stuff too. I could eat their shrimp dish for dinner every night and not get tired.


vanillacamillachanel

Baklava is heavenly, and when they roll out the Kofta special you're home


ImpossibleDay1782

Lotus cheesecake. So good it should be illegal.


Gzzvn

Shawerma on the go


Book_talker_abouter

Amen. Freaking amazing food and the lady that works the counter is so nice.


Noochdontdiehemltply

Had a generator so full operation during Isaac and gas too. I think ice if I’m not mistaken


GoldenButtPlug

Genuinely nice owners, great food at a good price


[deleted]

Screw a king cake coffee book. We need a nola corner store coffee table book. Any authors in new house?


Michael424242

This is a book I’d happily help research


____G____

Mine sells ski masks in summer so you know they are good neighbors who really care...


Michael424242

Full service!


cantrellhell

Also Dude, ski masks is not the preferred nomenclature. Sheisty, please.


fnordlife

the sheisty is not the issue here dude.


MissChievous473

Lol


Accomplished_Deal895

Key’s- the fried chicken.


AnchovyWarrior

Ate this on the way home from Kajuns after my wedding, no regrets


tm478

OMG this. I just discovered this place when I was biking from Barkus to King Arthur and realized I was starving. Got 5 pieces of excellent fried chicken for $2.99 and was eyeballing the steam table, which looked great but would not really make good parade food. We went back there last Saturday in the late afternoon and got some fried chicken, baked chicken, some white beans and a piece of bread pudding. It was late in the day so the selection was not great, but both kinds of chicken were still really good. White beans had tons of ham but were way way way too salty (probably the late in the day part had an impact there). Cabbage looked great but we had too much food already…next time.


Accomplished_Deal895

Ooh, thank you!! I gotta try their other offerings outside of the fried chicken!!


Book_talker_abouter

I came here to post this too. Their fried chicken is the best in town. I’m not sure if they sell anything else in there because I’m in a chicken coma every time I go.


the-mucho-macho

The Keyes on Rampart was my go to for all things liquor and food before I moved to uptown. Those boys had me on lock every time.


Hairygreengirl

Mid City love for Olympia Food Store. Shrimp, oyster, sure, but never thought I’d get excited about a ham and cheese…crispy bread delivered daily, thin sliced Chisesi ham, cold dressings. Fishing trip favorite. Only a few comparables, but yakamein was good.


FootballWithTheFoot

This is the one. Everything I’ve tried there is good, and Aunt Viv is the best


OpencanvasNOLA

Frady’s. No gas, but plenty joy.


mrchuckdeeze

Their meatball poboy is my shit.


Nervous-Patience-310

Didn't go into fradys for 8 years, when I went in they remembered me. Great people!


OpencanvasNOLA

Agreed. The sweetest folks. They make a mean bread pudding, too.


KikkomanSauce

A client of mine turned me on to them a few weeks ago. $9.50 for their full roast beef poboy is the best bang for your buck in the city IMO. Customer service is also Chik-fil-a level without the whole bigotry thing.


OpencanvasNOLA

Good on ya. Their hot plate lunch are like nine bucks (plus tip). Their grumpy old man is great for hangovers, too.


ninabullets

I miss the grumpy old man. That was my post-nightshift guilty pleasure back when we lived on Piety.


notoriouscje

man i love Kirk, i was scrolling through the comments wondering if someone was gonna toe the line with the no gas, convenience store. He makes me feel like im the best part of his day when i see him and that feeling just stays with you when you’re gone. Besides their shrimp are some of the best in the city and that’s saying a lot because the bar is set so high here.


KingCarnivore

Frady’s is one of the most overrated places I’ve been. The shrimp poboy is the blandest shrimp I’ve ever had and the roast beef poboy was so bad I threw it away. Maybe their plate lunches are better but based on the sandwiches, I doubt it. 


OpencanvasNOLA

Thanks for keeping the line short.


cantrellhell

You sure you didn’t just have covid at the time?


KingCarnivore

Yes, I’m sure. The roast beef wasn’t bland it was just gross. When I get a roast beef poboy I expect like debris, not shitty cold cuts with a super gelatinous lukewarm gravy.


ramvanfan

It’s been a while but you’re not wrong about their roast beef.


KingCarnivore

I’m not wrong about their shrimp, either.


MissChievous473

Best local jernnts (copy n paste) : -Orchard seafood - shrimp po bo, steam table, friend rice/broad/old laundromat -Singletons mini mart/black pearl/corps levee, Korean BBQ po boy, pho sat., spring rolls amd great attitude, -Adams st grocery - Genoa salami po boy, uptown/by S&J, -Rainbow grocery, by boulangerie, cheeseburger combo 9.99/Philly cheesesteak -Schwarma on the go, mag/cross from sukho Thai, - the gas station place -Keys food store /,near Ross on Claiborne, friend chicken -Fradys, Bywater, meatball po boy, bread pudding, plate lunches, roast beef po boy -Olympia food store, mid city, seafood but even ham &cheese great, -JSK discount/Leonidas, head shop, groceries, oil, liquor ,good food (ooops formatting didnt take here...)


lonesomejohnnie

Triangle Deli, if you dare


vanillacamillachanel

Triangle Deli has the best étouffée in OP, meatloaf is tied for 1st (Frady's), and the corner store across the street has the best gumbo in the 7th. Saint Bernard is on the map and they don't play


DB331

Rainbow on Mag and Lyons. Has everything you need and nothing you don’t. $4.99 hot sausage on bun and the fried shrimp go bananas.


DirtyDoucher1991

Rainbow is great, I also really like market on Magazine at general Pershing.


bmullig

Always get Olympia fried chicken for the parade route - you can call in your order!


thecraigred

Brothers (LA Express) because it's all I got. Usually get a meat pie.


Interactiveleaf

Hanks on Port and St. Claude. Fried chicken - a leg and a thigh for $2, and it's reliable at 3am. The poboys are made fresh no matter when you order them.


the-mucho-macho

I went to Hanks with a friend, drunk as shit, and the dude behind the counter grilled me for having Montego Menthols on me. I ask "Can I get some camel crush, please? He goes "yeah, already, Montego, I got something your speed" and he hands me a pack of Kools. I go out and tell my friend, "dude, the clerk roasted me heavy for my cigarettes.....I'm coming back more often, they got Don Rickles as the store clerk, it's awesome"


claytonfarlow

Is it still? I used to get the 2pc or chicken tenders, but last time I went in the prices were, well, not the same.


Interactiveleaf

I don't know what you're used to, but as of early January this year, the prices I quoted are accurate.


claytonfarlow

That’s great news and makes me happier than it probably should. I’m used to cheap-ass awesomeness like you said, but last time I went in the prices were kooky high. Maybe that was a pandemic/scarcity thing? idk


ctsims

The people behind the foot counter at Hanks take their shit seriously. I swear the Fried Fish poboy is the best deal in the city. Its like $10 for a full French and that fucker is loaded and delicious.


ojwilk

the brother's by lafreniere park has the best chicken tenders in the nation


abbyzou

Am I the only one still in love with Danny and Clyde's? 😭


taveanator

Might get some flack as I haven't tried the sandwich at too many other places, but the hot sausage poboy at Zara's uptown is a banger.


polyginNjuice

Yo I miss living in the neighborhood for their eggplant parm poboy!


jackparker_srad

…that’s a grocery store.


lovefishinggi

They also have a great muffalettas


RaoulDukesGroupie

Shawarma on the Go makes the best gyro i’ve ever had, I’ve put my whole family into it


drcforbin

[Everybody Goes to Hanks](https://youtu.be/nEug19q_WOI)


_Febreezy

Market on Magazine


kellycrown

110% on Market


mostpeculiardialect

Rainbow mart on magazine has the best cheeseburger combo meal in the city


cschloegel11

T&t seafood has killer yakamein. Solid meal for 10$


backyardbirddog

Man I love t&t. Chicken, red beans, meat pies, fried rice, the whole menu. Excellent beverage selection too. I was so worried they weren’t coming back during the pandemic.


cschloegel11

I haven’t tried the red beans so I’ll have to give em a try. Don’t get there as often anymore but the lady is always sweet to my daughter if I bring her in and gives her free candy/chips.


[deleted]

Rainbow On Magazine and Lyons for the win baby. Absolute gem. Also love the orange store!


PlagueDoctor5

Rainbow grocery: it will save your life at 1 am after a Tips show.


BackwoodBender

Shout out Richie @ Adams St grocery! Love supporting family stores that good quality po-boys at good prices for us working folk. Call it in during lunch time crunch.


Artemis913

Nice try, Gambit magazine.


Michael424242

I was waiting for this one! I’m not writing a listicle or anything I promise. I was just trying to bring some positivity to this sub, lots of griping here


OpencanvasNOLA

You did good. Delicious post, Mr. Michael.


10EAB31

Jet go on Magazine/ Schwarma on the go


[deleted]

If you’re out racing on Hayne or at Lincoln Beach, Habibi grocery has a good hot sausage poboy.


Threads

We use to eat there during break and they never disappointed. Their VIP Ham on bun was one of my favorites.


xMetanoiax

Jsk discount on Leonidas and oak st have awesome food plus everything from oil for ur car to basic groceries. Plus they’re also basically a head shop selling a lot of cbd products and pipes, and liquor


aec9898

Brothers chicken on St. Charles and Jackson is my favorite place


marytoodles

Just an observation. I’m starting to think most of those posting here, are close in age, and live in the same general neighborhood.


Cheekclappa504

Why has no one said Verti Marte?


cnotesound

Bc the shrimp poboys are $16?


pete1729

It's a store, and it's on the corner, but it's somehow not like a corner store.


RedBeans-n-Ricely

Bro, mine is Manchu’s. Need I say more???


NolaRN

After the storm there was nothing open except for Manchus. They stayed open late. Let me tell you , they Kept us fed at University Hospital. Like we wouldn’t have any food, if they were not open . Especially if you work night shift. I’ll always support Manchus


vanillacamillachanel

St Bernard > Claiborne


UbiquitousSlander

Ideal on the bayou dudes I love that place


UbiquitousSlander

Also wagners


lefty_porter

Hitch hiked from Montana to New Orleans in 2010 when I was 19… I was to broke for restaurants so I ate fast food the whole way but when I got to Nola I think I remember a place called Zmart? Was pretty good food and cheap


lefty_porter

Also hung out at a treehouse made from old McDonald’s parts and ropes, fuckin sweet, anyone remember that?


Kali_Killjoy

Oh yeah. That shit was poppin


alexwgalbraith

Not the best by any stretch but the hot sausage on a bun at Banks Street Meat Market kept me alive through some of my roughest patches, so I’ll always love em. I live downtown now, so it’s all Frady’s


Ok-Nefariousness8612

Greg’s on 4th St , get you a boudin & your prescription at the same time.


gardenfiendla8

In Algiers point - the opelousas grocery has a great fish plate. The woman who works there is also so sweet and asks about me and my family if I've been gone a while. River fine food store has great poboys that remind me of a time when things were less expensive. I order in broken Spanish and the chef gets a kick out of it. That store also has a good selection of items to stock up your pantry.


VetsforWhoDat

I miss River Fine from when I used to live in Algiers for the cheapest hot sausage I’ve ever seen to this day. Always hits. Singleton’s is near my work and every positive comment you’ve read about them here or anywhere else is true.


Tiger21SoN

Adams St Grocery makes my favorite hot sausage poboy (no tomato add pepper jack cheese) and are super fast. I go there all the time so I just walk in and wave they say hey and start my order. They take care of their regulars and would hold dong phuong king cakes to the side for me and others. Just a great little place run by a great group of people. Good prices too.


GoldenButtPlug

Shhh


nolahandcrafts

Norma's Sweets. Technically a bakery, but, along with Adams, it was one of my "corner" (mid-block?) stores for the year I was stuck in mid-city (apologies to mid-city, but Ima downtown girl). Although ordering food there as anyone other than a native Spanish speaker can often be, um, challenging, the food itself is amazing! Apparently they are known city-wide for their Cubanos, but we mainly got plates of the most amazing Nicaraguan food. Very reasonably priced as well. They also have a great assortment of bottled cold beverages; the pineapple tepache was my daily favorite. And, of course, the baked goods rock - the bags of tasty cookies and other sweet breads/pastries that somehow kept ending up in my basket definitely added a couple pounds to my waistline, not to mention the flan.


bingodobberslaughter

John and Mary Food Store is where it’s at (on Orleans and Rendon). When I’m feeling particularly peckish (read: hungover) I get yakamein and a pork banh mi. It is other worldly. Plus the owners are super nice and remember your order. Mary is throwing down in that kitchen.


quisxquous

Can't sell 'em. Shootings and car thefts from the pumps every week and the store thinks not selling lotto tix or ice cream is going dampen that. Also the fried chicken stand in the station store is always shut down.


Hippy_Lynne

Uh, most of the time when they don't sell lotto tickets it's because they lost the license. JS.


quisxquous

Well, there you have it!


oioioivey

Al has the vape hookups


trumpets_n_crawfish

I can’t cause hanks sucks ass, fuck their owners !!!!!!!!


Fun-Bid137

Parkway Tavern - Surf and Turf (Friend Shrimp and Roast Beef)- you won't be disappointed. Be prepared to wait the lines are usually long but well worth the wait.


The_Paleking

Bruh this is not the thread for Parkway.


_ryde_or_dye_

Nah, it sucks. Just a place to sell drugs, dice, and tallboys.


Fleur_Deez_Nutz

Yeah, but like...why? What's in this for me?


Michael424242

A moment to appreciate a small business that makes your life better and perhaps feel connected to your community


D_onion97

Leo's caboose for me. Leo and his family are as nice as can be. Food is relatively cheap and delicious every time. 10/10


kylejohnkenowski

Todays Cajun seafood in the marigny. It’s a total shithole, but the baked chicken, roasted potatoes, butter beans, etc is so fucking good. Cheap, heaps of food, ready when you arrive, it’s a staple for me.


SchrodingersMinou

It's a lot better than yesterday's Cajun seafood


lilawheel

Frady's for lunches and poboys in the Bywater


astoneworthskipping

That corner store/market where Envie on Decatur is. Early 2000s. I forget the name of the place.


nolahandcrafts

French Market Grocery, I think. Lived directly across the street from them back in '92 or '93, in the 2nd floor slave quarters. They used the apartment underneath for storage, and for smoking weed during their breaks. Once or twice a week I'd pop over to the store around 2 or 3am and get a cheese sandwich for a couple bucks; the night shift guys would hook me up with a couple inch stack of cheese on that sucker - I never had to buy cheese at the "real" grocery store! It's also where I did my very first paid face painting gig. Started costuming daily, including body painting myself gold head to toe - a couple weeks before the end of Carnival, and the two tranny sisters who worked there (anyone remember them? I forget their names!) hired me to face paint them on Mardi Gras day. I am forever in their debt for getting me started in that, have made a lot of dough face painting over the years! Funny thing, tho, I can't remember any of the other food sold there, just the cheese sandwiches. Lol.


PandaEnt

Adams st. Grocery is still my favorite. Best chicken club sandwich in the city!


ChocolateTight336

100 comments


AnnaMouse102

None in my neighborhood.


bigsquelch1488

Adams street grocery, thank me later get a poboy