Peasant Food

Some of the poshest restaurants in New Orleans do what is essentially peasant food, done to perfection and the menus haven't changed in 100 years.  If that's not what you're interested in, then go somewhere else.  Anyone who says Commander's should change their menu or that Galatoire's should start taking reservations, just doesn't get it.  They do what they do.  If you want trendy stuff, then there are plenty of Abblebees and Denny's around that you can go to instead.  In fact, you could argue that it's the Applebees, Denny's and IHOPs that are the peasant food restaurants of today - and I don't mean that in a pejorative way, it's just an observation.

Thinking about it a little more, it seems to be yet another unique things about New Orleans - the way they embrace and support businesses that stick to what they're good at and don't try to be all things to all people.  Take Cafe Du Monde: They do coffee and beignets.  And chocolate milk.  That's it.  If you want a soy latte and an apple bran muffin, then there's a Starbucks around the block.  Or preferably PJ's since you're in New Orleans.  Then there's the burger restaurant Port of Call.  They do burgers and baked potatoes.  Would you like fries with that?  This ain't McDonald's.  The legendary Hubig's Pies make their own style of pie and nothing more, except occasionally King cakes.  Even Huge Ass Beers on Bourbon Street is the same.  They sell beers.  Huge ass ones, in fact.  That's it.  It's not even a bar, they sell beers to go.

There is a lot to be said for doing what you do, doing it well, and not complicating things by trying to do other stuff.