The last month has seen the United States immigrant population terrorized by increasing federal troop presence, detentions and fatal shootings. New Orleans alone is home to over 93,000 immigrants, and one way to support local immigrant communities is by dining at one of the city’s many immigrant-owned restaurants.
Empanola, Uptown/Carrollton, Garden District and French Quarter
Empanola on Freret Street is a short walk from Tulane University and serves delicious empanadas, blending traditional South American cuisine with Cajun and Creole flavor. Empanola was opened in 2017 and is co-owned by Marcelo Garcia, his wife Jimena Urrutia and her brother, Javier Urrutia. Since its start at St. Roch Market, the restaurant has been extremely successful, expanding to multiple locations in New Orleans as well as franchises in other states, and it is no wonder why.
From the empanadas that I have ordered, my favorites are the ham and queso and the beef Argentina. Ham and queso is an empanada filling popular in South America, including Chile and Argentina, where the owners are from, and Empanola’s take does it justice. The ratio of ham to smooth, melty cheese is delicious, plus the nice addition of nutmeg adds some depth to an otherwise simple flavor profile.
The beef Argentina also packs a punch, with spiced ground beef, onions and olives striking a good balance between savory and tangy. Empanola also offers vegetarian and vegan options, including the mushroom and cheese and the Impossible, as well as Cajun and Creole-inspired empanadas like crawfish etouffee and gumbo.
Green Olives Cafe, East Carrollton
For those seeking authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, Green Olives Cafe is not only close to Tulane, but also my favorite spot in the city. Located on Maple Street, Green Olives was opened in 2020 by Palestinian chef Hilmi Abdeljalil, who previously ran a restaurant called Melech Ha Hummus in Jerusalem. Abdeljalil’s culinary experience is apparent in the food’s quality, and every meal I have had at Green Olives has been extremely fresh and flavorful.
One of my favorite menu items at Green Olives is their baba ganuj, an eggplant, tahini and lemon juice dip common in Levantine cuisine. The restaurant’s baba ganuj has a delightfully smoky flavor, and I often end up eating so much of it with pita that I am full by the time my main arrives.
However, Green Olives shines in their entrees, my favorite being their chicken shawarma plate, so it is definitely worth it to make room. The chicken shawarma is tender, juicy and well-spiced, and makes for delicious leftovers. With massive portions of authentic, flavorful meals near campus, Green Olives Cafe is a must-visit for the hungry college student.
Pupuseria La Macarena, Leonidas
Located in the River Bend neighborhood on Hampson Street, Pupuseria La Macarena is a family-run Salvadoran eatery known for its phenomenal pupusas — stuffed cornmeal cakes that are common in Central American cuisine. Co-owner Manny Ochoa-Galvez makes semiannual “pilgrimages” to El Salvador for ingredients, and his care for the food and its authenticity is clear.
La Macarena serves multiple kinds of pupusas, but their classic filling is the Mixta, stuffed with cheese, beans and pork, and served with fresh salsa and curtido, a cabbage and onion slaw. I ordered their Mixta pupusa platter, which came with refried black beans and a side salad, and even as takeout, the pupusas arrived fresh, warm and absolutely delicious. The curtido added a perfect amount of tang and brightness to the pupusas, and the black beans were smooth and creamy. In addition to pupusas, La Macarena also serves classic Latin dishes like tamales, carne asada and chile relleño, making this the perfect option for someone craving traditional Central American cuisine.
Miss Shirley’s Chinese Restaurant, Irish Channel
While the name and location on Magazine Street are new, the owner of Miss Shirley’s Chinese Restaurant, Shirley Lee, has been the face of her family business since their first restaurant, Royal China, opened in 1977. Owned and operated by Hong Kong natives Lee, her husband Tang Lee, and their daughter Carling, Miss Shirley’s was opened in 2022 after the family sold Royal China. While the new restaurant has a smaller menu, it is just as delicious and traditional.
Miss Shirley’s has a range of amazing entrees, but my favorite items on the menu are dim sum, especially their steamed dragon dumplings — soup dumplings filled with pork. The soup dumplings have a slightly savory sherry taste, and are warm, comforting and extremely flavorful, making them perfect for this cold weather. For those craving traditional dim sum and a sit-down feel, Miss Shirley’s is the place for you.