The JuJu Bag Cafe

The JuJu Bag is a locally-owned cafe and barber salon, located at the intersection of Franklin and Filmore Avenues, directly across the street from the Milne's Boys Home.

Enjoy a relaxing evening of live Jazz every Friday night, daily lunch and dinner, !

*Rental Space available* Allow the JuJu Bag Cafe to host your next special event: Private Parties, Birthdays, Family Reunions, Baby Showers, Repasts, Art Shows, Release Parties, Book Signings, Wedding Dinners, Group Meetings.

The Cafe is open Wednesday - Saturday, at the hours listed below.
Call ahead for take-out orders and try our dinner specials!
Call (504) 872-9069.

Come by and enjoy the oasis of our beautiful, shaded patio with a cool cocktail!
*Free WiFi*
5363 Franklin Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122
Get Directions

Review by Lloyd Dennis

I wouldn't call the JuJu Bag a soul food restaurant. Its menu is wrapped around a much more healthful and interesting fare, but oh my God, how soulfully delicious, and how professional and tasteful the presentation.

I had a taste for something different. One of the issues around supporting African American restaurants is the repetition on the menus. I love great soul / creole food, but not all the time. Sometimes my palate cries out for an adventure, but sometimes when we foray into a new food experience we end up disappointed. Well, lets face it, when your baseline for flavor satisfaction is our traditional cuisine, for food to excite us it has to standout and stand up to the full flavors of New Orleans regular everyday food... not an easy task.

This afternoon, I hadn't had lunch and needed a break. I wanted something different, but healthy and the JuJu bag came to mind as Anne and I have both been meaning to dine there and check out the menu. We had attended several functions there and enjoyed all that we had been able to sample, so we drove all the way from Algiers sat our selves down and just had ourselves a delicious ( and nutritious) time.

As we are prone to do, we shared an appetizer, a soup and an entree. The humus and pita chips on the bed of tomato and lettuce were superb and beautiful in their presentation. This was a delicious and very healthy alternative to a lot of fatty dips and chips and we really didn't feel like we were making any sacrifice... at all.

Next we shared a bowl of Avocado Chicken Soup. Anne claimed that she didn't like avocado... until she wanted the last bit in the bowl.

When I confronted her with her often stated dislike all my Boo could do was utter, “Well, I guess I can't say I don't like avocados any more. Floating with chicken bits in a well seasoned and spicy (not salty) broth, the soft creaminess of the “aligator pear” made each bite special depending on whether you chose to chew, squish or simply swallow the tender bits of this very healthful and delicious savory fruit swimming with the chicken and other ingredients (I know you think avocado is vegetable).

Our entree was the Grilled Chicken Panini Sandwich. The JuJu Bag makes your panini sandwich  with flaky tender french bread, a stroke of genius and a brilliant marriage of cultures. It was crusty and tender and juicy and mouth watering, an obviously well designed and well tested recipe and preparation process. We were both raving about our food when arriving guest asked us about our order... and the service was both pleasant and efficient.

We have several food places that we return to periodically for what they do so well, and I'm telling you that the JuJu Bag is now on that list and well worth a special trip all the way from Algiers. Tommye Myrick has created a really memorable dining experience in the heart of Gentilly that makes me envy those of you who don't have to cross a river to get there... Guiltless, delicious gourmet fare that's as easy on your blood pressure as it is on your wallet.