Oak Street With Kids
If you’re at all familiar with the Oak Street area between Carrollton Avenue and River Road at the railroad tracks, it’s most likely because you’ve been to the Maple Leaf or Jacques Imo’s, two longtime and highly recommended places to hear live music and get a great meal. Or maybe you’ve attended the Po-boy Festival or the Midsummer Mardi Gras celebration, both unique and festive celebrations that take place along this street.
We’ve lived in this area for over a decade and I’m often surprised that folks are not aware that there is MUCH more to this little strip. It is a funky little area that screams “You have definitely entered New Orleans” to those who come from just over the parish line.
The bars, the tattoo place, and the juice bar specializing in herbs that make you feel good may lead some to think this area is only for adults. But, not only are the folks who work in those places actually quite friendly to kids, there are lots of options for enjoying this quaint, quirky stretch of New Orleans with your kids.
COFFEE SHOPS!
- Rue de la Course: You’ll always find an eclectic bunch at Rue. There are college students hunkered down with their laptops and AirPods, businesspeople having meetings, couples meeting up for their first blind dates, moms sipping coffee together, the occasional visit from Harry Shearer, and parents with their kids of all ages. The coffee is delicious and they have baked goods, bagel sandwiches and good WiFi! Plus, a great staff!
- Z’otz: This may be the quirkiest place on the street. They too have great coffee, delicious baked goods and a varied crowd. We go every Sunday morning for bagels, muffins, coffee and the New York Times.
THE FOOD!
It’s not really New Orleans if there aren’t good places to eat, and in these six to seven blocks, you’ll find some unique options to introduce your kids to new foods they’ll come to love!
- Sukeban: My 12-year-old loves sushi and we recently went here for her birthday. It’s fancy sushi – not a place you’ll get a California roll. It offerssomething we haven’t found anywhere else in the city. It’s tiny, so you might want to make a reservation. It’s also great for a date night if you have picky kids.
- Juan’s Flying Burrito: Mexican food is a hit with both our kids and we were so excited when the newest JFB opened just a block from our house! Sometimes you just want a plate of nachos and a margarita!
- Primo Hoagies: This is one of the few (only?) national chain restaurants on Oak Street (or in Uptown). They’ve got an extensive menu of delicious sandwiches, with both a seeded and non-seeded bread option. My favorites are the chicken cutlet-based sandwiches, but we’ve honestly never had anything we didn’t like.
- Midori: Ok, so this place is technically not on Oak Street, but you could spit from the corner of Carrollton and Oak and hit it. They have sushi, ramen, hibachi, and several Indonesian dishes. The food is great and they even accommodate my kids’ sesame allergies!
Don’t forget about 14 Parishes, Ajun Cajun, Breads on Oak, and a couple new places are about to open (high-end Mexican, pizza, and Indian)!
THE BOOZE!
One of my favorite things about living in New Orleans is that we can bring our kids into most bars. Several places on Oak Street really do welcome kids!
- Oak Street Brewery: They specialize, of course, in craft beers. They also have regular pop-up eats several nights a week, usually with interesting and delicious options you can’t get at any brick-and-mortar place (yet). Keep an eye on their socials for a weekly announcement of who’s cooking. They also have tons of board games, pinball, and even Guitar Hero. And, on Wednesdays, they have family-friendly trivia where my family, the Gryffindorks, recently came in third!
- Oak and Ale: Oak is a wine bar that shares a patio with Ale, a place with dozens of beers on tap. We typically meet up with friends without our kids, but they have begun to have a monthly trivia night. My kids enjoyed their recent “The Office” trivia contest (wecouldn’t remember what Kevin cooked from the Twilight cookbook!).
- Vino Wine & Spirits: This little wine store also has special dinners (even a Harry Potter themed one coming up) and regular happy hours. Plus, they sell cute dog toys!
RETAIL STORES!
- Haase’s Shoe Store: This little family-run shoe store has been here for over 100 years! They sell shoes required by many private schools, as well as tennis shoes, sandals, boots, and lots of baby clothes, especially of the smocked variety. My kids got all their shoes there for many years and I loved that we could just walk down the street to this little slice of Americana.
- Blue Cypress Books: My older daughter has always been an avid reader and from a young age, we’d let her walk to Blue Cypress on her own to peruse their shelves and talk to the staff about what she should be reading. For several years, they also kept an eye out for her on her walk home from school. This place has a very soft spot in our hearts. We donate books a few times a year when our shelf space runs out, and it’s a go-to for last-minute birthday gifts. They also have great author events and a truly knowledgeable and fun staff. And, don’t forget to look out for Kitty Meow!
My husband always gets his hair cut at the Family Barber, home to Mr. Bud for over 50 years. And, Ms. Ann does our taxes every year. The folks at Paul’s Framing have not only framed several pieces for us, but when I asked him how to hang a heavy mirror on our wall, he came over and helped out.
I could go on, writing about all the unique finds at Castellon’s Pharmacy, Canseco’s grocery store, Glue thrift store, a knife store, a comic book shop, and more. But, if you haven’t been in a while, you’ll just have to come check out Oak Street for yourself!
