My Napoleon House years are full of smiles and tears. We discovered in graduate school that we could: take the St. Charles Streetcar from uptown to the Quarter and back, have a quarter of a muffelata and a soft drink at the Napoleon House, and then share a plate of 3 beignets and have our own cup of café au lait at Café DuMonde for a grand total of $5. On a budget, my friends and I burned up those tracks most weekends. Over the years, friends came and went, romances began and ended, but the Napoleon House was a focus and a rock in my life in New Orleans.
I always loved going to the quarter on my own in the evenings after work, and frequently started my evening at the Napoleon House. After a snack and a diet coke with friends, I was off to Bourbon Street to hear friends of mine play music before I headed home. Most nights went well. Rarely was I sad or hassled for any reason, but if I was, I'd just head over to the Napoleon House and visit with Larry, Mark, Jeff, Laron, or any one of the many other waiters I'd come to know over the years. They made the Napoleon House feel safe and home.
Everything was different everywhere immediately after the storm and the Napoleon House was not exempt. Hours changed because waiters weren't back, but neither were the customers. I was excited to be the one to get the first Reuben Sandwich they made after the storm. I'm happy to report that everything is back to normal these days. I dropped by every chance I had this trip, and enjoyed meals there twice with friends. Regardless of whether you're a regular or a tourist...or just somebody in between like me...The Napoleon House is not to be missed!
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