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Lil’ Dizzy’s: Creole Soul
Don’t be fooled by the name of Lil’ Dizzy’s Cafe. There’s no coffee, and in fact, the iconic establishment feels more like an auntie’s overstuffed living room than a café. Situated in the heart of Tremé, the oldest African-American neighborhood in America, Dizzy’s is crammed with family paintings and inauguration memorabilia for President Barack Obama, with signed jerseys of retired Saints football players dotting above the doorway.
New Orleans Institution Li’l Dizzy’s Reopens Under Next Generation
Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe, a New Orleans lunch institution for fried chicken, po’boys, and gumbo feared closed permanently amid the pandemic, has returned under the next generation of owners. Arkesha and Wayne Baquet Jr. recently reopened the Treme corner restaurant with a fresh setup and the same great food for takeout, dine-in, or outdoor dining.
Lil’ Dizzy’s Cafe - Where locals go to get their buffet on
One of the most mixed, vivacious, laid-back dining rooms in New Orleans, on Esplanade Avenue in the heart of the historic Tremé neighborhood. The gumbo is fantastic, but pros go for the buffet: mac and cheese, fried chicken, cornbread dressing. The sign taped to the buffet implores diners, who inevitably go back for seconds and thirds, “Please use a clean plate at the buffet.” You might glimpse New York Times editor in chief Dean Baquet on the breezy patio, there on one of his frequent visits to New Orleans—owner Wayne Baquet is his brother.
New Orleans neighborhood restaurant serves up soul food favorites
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans locals and out-of-towners alike can't stay away from a neighborhood restaurant that specializes in soul food. Li'l Dizzy's Cafe is known citywide for its gumbo, fried chicken, po'boys and more. It prides itself on its Creole-soul flavor, which has been passed down for generations. The Baquet family has been in the restaurant business for more than 75 years.
Q&A: Wayne Baquet, owner of Lil Dizzy’s Cafe, reflects on family’s history of over 200 years in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS — Wayne Baquet is the owner of Lil Dizzy’s Restaurant, a popular Creole-soul food restaurant in the neighborhood of Treme in New Orleans that has been frequented by the likes of Barack Obama, George W. Bush and countless other famous figures as well as many locals. Baquet is part of a family with a long lineage dating back to before Louisiana became a state. He is a renowned restaurateur in the local community.
Next generation to reopen Li'l Dizzy's, reviving New Orleans restaurant legacy
When Wayne Baquet Sr. decided last fall to retire, he knew he was closing the book on both a career and a long family narrative in Creole food in New Orleans. But he also left the door open for his last restaurant, Li’l Dizzy's Café, to return with new owners.
How the Baquet Family Legacy Continues in New Orleans at Li'l Dizzy's Cafe
Almost two years ago, one of the most legendary restaurant families in New Orleans almost closed up shop for good. Since 1947, the Baquet family has owned and operated over 10 restaurants, and Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe was the only one that remained. But between the pandemic and Wayne Baquet Sr.'s retirement, it looked like ownership was going to change hands. That was, at least, until Wayne Baquet Jr. and his wife Arkesha Baquet decided to take up the reins.
A New Orleans restaurant legacy was nearly lost to COVID-19, this is how it came back to life
Wayne Baquet Sr. had retired once before. That lasted six months. But this time he was serious. After a lifetime running restaurants in New Orleans, he was done. No more serving gumbo. No more making sure that everyone got their fill of fried chicken and bread pudding. Like most family members, Wayne Baquet Jr. had worked in the restaurants. But he had long decided that the business wasn't for him. As CEO of a grocery wholesaler, he didn't have time to run a neighborhood restaurant. But his wife, Arkesha Smith Baquet, was interested.
The Charming Restaurant In Louisiana That Secretly Serves The State’s Best Fried Chicken
In a city famous for its food, finding the absolute best version of anything requires serious detective work—or a really good tip from a local. Tucked away on Esplanade Avenue in New Orleans’ historic Tremé neighborhood, Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe isn’t shouting for attention, but those who know, know: this unassuming spot serves fried chicken so transcendent it might just change your life.
Li'l Dizzy's Cafe - Best Creole Soul Food in New Orleans!
Li’l Dizzy’s is back as next generation revives a Treme restaurant and a family legacy
First they made a roux, the way they always have, for a Creole gumbo that’s been a signature dish for generations. Then the next generation of the Baquet family opened the doors again at Li’l Dizzy’s Café, bringing back an essential piece of the New Orleans culinary story that was almost lost in the pandemic. Li’l Dizzy’s reopened at its longtime home, 1500 Esplanade Ave., on Monday. To begin, the restaurant serves lunch only, with all meals prepared for takeout. Limited seating is available inside and outdoors for people who want to unpack their lunch on the spot.
American Routes Shortcuts: Wayne Baquet, Sr. and Arkesha Baquet of Li'l Dizzy's Cafe
The pandemic has been very tough on bars and restaurants everywhere and especially in New Orleans, with a culture of food and hospitality. The closing of a restaurant or neighborhood bar here feels like a death in the family. One such place is the Tremé landmark and community gathering spot, Li’l Dizzy’s. It was about to close for good in November. Li’l Dizzy’s owner, Wayne Baquet, Sr., had worked in his family’s restaurants all his life. The Creole Baquet family are also known for a lineage in music and the newspaper business. Get this: Wayne’s brother Dean is the Executive Editor of the New York Times. Brother Terry over sees the editorial page at New Orleans Times Picayune. I sat down with the retiring Wayne Baquet, Sr. and new co-owner, daughter-in-law Arkesha Baquet. Wayne recalled how the Baquet restaurant empire in New Orleans began.
From a Tavern in Chattanooga, to a Family-owned NOLA Restaurant, Owners Struggle to Keep Businesses — and Customers — Alive
When New Orleans announced its vaccine mandate last month, Arkesha Baquet, owner of Lil Dizzy’s Cafe in the city’s Treme neighborhood, was worried. To her surprise, the first week was pretty much business as usual. But by the second week, sales were cut in half. Now, Lil Dizzy’s is coping with the effects of Hurricane Ida, which closed the cafe’s doors as they waited for power to return and their suppliers to get back up and running. She hopes to reopen Monday Sept. 27th, but fears the dwindling traffic will remain.
In New Orleans, the Final Four Is a Reason for a Much-Needed Party
When he wrote about relying on the kindness of strangers, this city’s most famous playwright probably wasn’t envisioning Carolinians and conventioneers slurping down the dark roux gumbo at Herbsaint. But then even Tennessee Williams may not have been able to conjure the blows that his adopted New Orleans has suffered over the last two years — and the welcome arrival of this better-than-fiction Final Four and the strangers it’s bringing to town.