Some restaurants chase trends, but Port of Call has spent more than six decades perfecting one simple promise on Esplanade Avenue.
This beloved French Quarter favorite serves hefty half-pound burgers, fresh-cut steaks, and potent tiki drinks that taste like a vacation in a glass.
Grab a seat, loosen your belt, and get ready to meet the burger and baked potato combo that New Orleans simply refuses to give up.
How Port Of Call won locals’ hearts
Port of Call opened in 1963 as a steakhouse on historic Esplanade Avenue, starting as a quiet neighborhood spot open only at night.
The original concept had a Polynesian flair, with a bar mixing the kind of tropical drinks once poured at the long-gone Bali Hai.
As the story goes, the kitchen ran out of baked potatoes for its steaks one night, so the crew served burgers instead.
Diners fell hard for the pairing, and the burger with a baked potato became the house signature even though steaks stayed on the menu.
Former owner George Brumat gets credit as the granddaddy of the famous half-pound charbroiled burger topped with grated, unmelted cheddar.
The beef is chuck ground fresh daily, with the fat carefully measured so each patty stays juicy and full of flavor.
For years, the patties were shaped by hand, and the woman who made them could reportedly pat out exactly eight ounces every single time.
That kind of consistency earned a shelf of honors, including Best Burger titles from Zagat Survey, Citysearch, and Gambit Weekly.
Locals proved their loyalty after Hurricane Katrina, when Port of Call was one of the first restaurants to reopen and a line stretched two blocks down Esplanade.
Its spot on the line between the French Quarter and the Marigny also makes it a perfect launchpad for nights out in the Marigny and Bywater.
The no-reservations policy means everyone waits their turn, from wide-eyed tourists to neighborhood regulars.
Kids are welcome, the dress code is extremely casual, and the menu has barely changed, which is exactly how fans like it.
In 2026, Port of Call still made Gambit’s Best of New Orleans food list, so the love affair is clearly far from over.
Food Highlights
-
Cheeseburger: This half-pound patty of freshly ground beef comes with grated cheddar and a buttery baked potato on the side. It is the dish that built the legend, and first-timers almost always start here. 🍔🧀
-
Mushroom Cheeseburger: The classic burger gets an earthy upgrade with mushrooms piled on top. Regulars love it for the extra savory richness it brings to every bite. 🍄🍔
-
Baked Potato: Every burger and steak comes with one, and you can load it with sour cream, cheddar, or mushrooms, plus free chives and bacon bits on request. Fans call it one of the best baked potatoes they have ever eaten, and it is a crucial part of the experience. 🥔🥓
-
Filet Mignon: This tender cut comes from beef trimmed fresh daily and arrives as a full dinner with salad, baked potato, and hot Tuscany bread. It is a nod to the restaurant’s steakhouse roots and a treat for anyone craving something fancier. 🥩
-
Rib Eye: This richly marbled steak gets the same full dinner setup, with your choice of dressings including Roquefort and honey mustard. Steak lovers order it for its bold, beefy flavor. 🥩🍷
-
Schooner Salad: Lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, ham, olive salad, Swiss, and cheddar make this a hearty bowl with a New Orleans twist. The olive salad gives it a briny kick that works well next to all that beef. 🥗🫒
-
Mushrooms in Wine Sauce: This a la carte side brings tender mushrooms in a savory wine sauce. It is a great add-on for steaks and burgers alike. 🍄🍷
-
Neptune’s Monsoon: The menu describes this house specialty as an old recipe pirates requested before walking the plank. It is a rum-forward tiki legend, and the menu warns it packs a serious punch. 🍹
Atmosphere
Port of Call feels like a tiki-tinged dive bar crossed with a cherished burger joint, and it is crowded at almost every hour of the day.
Overflow seating sits in the back, past two vintage-style bathroom signs, with locals and visitors packed in together.
Expect a wait, order a rum drink, and settle into the easygoing, come-as-you-are mood.
Bottom Line
Visit for the legendary half-pound burger, the loaded baked potato, potent tiki cocktails, and more than 60 years of French Quarter history. It is casual, welcoming to kids, and loved by locals for good reason.
Address: 838 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116
📞 (504) 523-0120
🕔 Open Sun–Mon, Wed 11 AM–10 PM | Thu-Sat 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM | Tue Closed