Tibby’s has all the décor and ambiance that fits into the New Orleans scene. Heck, my beer was even served in a frosted sundae mug resembling a Chalice.
What was really remarkable was the attentive service. Zero waiting time- the hostess immediately greeted us and took us to an available booth. Almost-zero service time- the hostess left, and a server arrived on her dust to take our drink order. And to top if off, zero ‘and how’s everything?’ time once the first spoon landed in our mouths. Peculiar, but it beats the opposite. I felt that they really wanted you to enjoy the meal.
So, for lunch fare: Fried Pickles ($5) as an appetizer, a bowl of Chicken Andouille File Gumbo ($8), and a Side n’ Half ($6.50) for half an Eggplant Po Boy and a side of Andouille Cheddar Grits. Miller Lite was on draft for $4.
The food was standard and typical of the flavors of Louisiana but lacked a certain ‘oomph’ factor. For example, I didn’t see any Okra in the Gumbo- it would’ve added a hearty flavor.
The Eggplant Po Boy reminded me of Eggplant Parmesan in a sandwich- thin sections of crispy breaded eggplant with a marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Even Tibby’s Hot Sauce was a little on the milder side with more mustard hits than cayenne, and a clandestine twist of horseradish.
Delicious but, in my opinion, toned way down on some promising flavor profiles. I suppose that the middle-road appeals to a broader audience, but Tibby’s risks to become just another restaurant rather than stand out of the pack with their Big Easy menu.
There was one notable exception- the Beignets. A single order ($2.25) got us 3 medium-sized ones. They were searing hot, and fabulously crafted into cocoons flaky layers.
My tongue was taken aback to how delicious these were after a rather standard meal. The generous dusting of confectioners sugar atop the beignets didn’t make the dish overly sweet either. A must try for dessert.
IN A NUTSHELL: Beignets are the keyword for this joint. I’d like to see more striking flavors but this place is good for a broad audience who’s in for a dine-n-dash. The ambiance is friendly and the service is on point (thank you Front-of-House Manager, whoever you are).
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