For as long I have lived in New Orleans, I have been in the hospitality business, welcoming and explaining this wonderful city we call home to visitors from around the world. In all these years, no one has ever said they came to New Orleans to go to IHOP.
It may be possible for a pancake to inspire passion, but not at 3511 South Carrollton in New Orleans. The zip code is 70118 is you want to send them a post card. The mailman’s arrival is the most action this IHOP sees in 24 hours.
Any hour of the day or night, this IHOP is empty. It isn’t abandoned. The lights are on. The restaurant is fully staffed. The dining is clean and welcoming. Stacks of high chairs and booster seats sit unused by the emergency exit.
This building has never seen a lot of action. Before it was an IHOP, it was the Five Happiness special event hall. The rooflines match. Five Happiness, the Chinese restaurant across the street from IHOP, does a brisk business every day.
Unlike IHOP, Five Happiness is not open 24 hours. Being open still doesn’t bring people in the doors. In New Orleans, we don’t start the day sunny side up. We don’t even know it’s tomorrow yet.
Everything is better when it is shared with family and friends. Every booth at the IHOP on South Carrollton Avenue is equipped with electrical outlets. Charge your phone to 100%. The coffee pot features endless refills. The waitress will not rush you out. There is no one else here.
Unless they work for corporate, nobody comes to New Orleans to visit IHOP. Even inspectors eat elsewhere. This is New Orleans. While IHOP may satisfy a craving for pancakes, Betsy’s Pancake House is on Canal Street.
I was just talking to Betsy’s granddaughter, who runs the day-to-day operations. She is going to Tractor Supply Company this weekend to pick up some chickens for me.
La Belle’s current flock is down to two. One of the hens is feeling broody, so Betsy’s granddaughter is going to get me three chicks for my hens to raise. We are going to keep them in the front yard for all to see. It will be fun.
Everybody loves chickens. There are no roosters at La Belle Esplanade. It doesn’t look like it but we do live in a city.
You should get your good self to New Orleans. You should stay at La Belle Esplanade. Someone got married in front of our inn the other day. Something is always happening in New Orleans.
