Jacques-Imo's
Carrollton, New Orleans
Restaurant in New Orleans, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Book Jacques-Imo's when the goal is a lively Oak Street dinner with New Orleans character, especially later in the evening. It is a stronger fit for small groups and visitors chasing atmosphere than for diners who want a quiet, credential-led tasting-menu experience.
About Jacques-Imo's
Jacques-Imo's is a New Orleans dinner option with casual dress, closed Monday, Tuesday, Sunday, open Wednesday through Friday from 5–10 PM, open Saturday from 4–10 PM. Treat it as an evening choice rather than a lunch plan.
Choose it for dinner hours, not a polished tasting-menu plan
New Orleans has plenty of restaurants that can work for an evening meal, Jacques-Imo's should be evaluated on its evening service: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 5–10 PM, plus Saturday from 4–10 PM. It is closed Sunday through Tuesday. If your plans require lunch, Sunday dining, or a later meal outside those hours, this is not the right fit.
It works best as a casual New Orleans dinner decision, not a credential-driven choice. If you are choosing between Jacques-Imo's and Lebanon's Cafe, Cowbell, Boucherie, Seafood Sally's, or Barcelona Tapas, make the comparison around schedule, availability, the kind of evening your group wants rather than menus or accolades.
Who should choose it, who should cross-shop
Choose Jacques-Imo's when its confirmed dinner hours match your plans and a casual dress code fits the occasion. Groups should confirm current availability and any practical constraints directly through the venue's own current information before committing.
For another option to compare, Barcelona Tapas can be part of the same decision set, along with Boucherie, Cowbell, Lebanon's Cafe, Seafood Sally's. The choice should come down to timing, availability, whether Jacques-Imo's Wednesday-to-Saturday dinner window suits the night. If the plan is broader than one meal, use the New Orleans restaurants guide to compare other New Orleans dining options.
Planning details
- Location
- 8324 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118
- Website
- jacques-imos.com
- Phone
- +15048610886
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Jacques-Imo’s reads like an Uptown institution that never outgrows its personality. The room announces itself with screen doors and uneven floorboards; walls that have collected years of decoration make the interior feel lived-in rather than curated. By early evening the dining room hums with conversation and celebration, and the overall atmosphere is energetic and charming rather than polished. The writing on the wall — literally and figuratively — underscores a place that trades refinement for character, where the building’s age and accumulated clutter are part of the appeal and set expectations for a spirited, communal meal.
Best For
This is a dinner destination for diners seeking bold, ingredient-forward Louisiana cooking in a convivial Uptown setting. The restaurant’s service and room favor groups and celebratory tables — the noise level and visible queue by 7 p.m. make it clear that Jacques-Imo’s attracts people who want an animated night out rather than a hushed, intimate meal. It suits locals and visitors who prioritize vivid Gulf seafood, andouille and bayou flavors over delicate plating, and who turn dining into a social event where lively conversation is part of the experience.
Ordering Tips
Expect to share and order into the center of the table: the menu is built around Gulf seafood, local andouille and bayou ingredients that function as structural elements of big-flavored dishes. Popular signatures to consider include the Carpetbagger Steak, Shrimp and Alligator Sausage Cheesecake, Oysters Brochette and the Cajun Bouillabaisse. Because there’s often a queue of regulars and newcomers who arrive with definite intent, plan for a busy room at dinner and prioritize the standout, shareable items that showcase the restaurant’s Louisiana pantry-first approach.
Venue details
Ambiance
Eclectically designed, low-lit, crowded dining room with a fun, quirky night-time atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Carpetbagger Steak
- Shrimp and Alligator Sausage Cheesecake
- Oysters Brochette
- Cajun Bouillabaisse
Planning details
Location
Also consider
If you cannot get the table
Try Seafood Sally's if the craving is Cajun seafood, or Boucherie if the group wants a calmer dinner with a more structured feel. Those are the cleanest substitutes without changing the night too much.
Restaurant context
How it compares in New Orleans
Seafood Sally's is the more direct Cajun seafood cross-shop, so choose it when the meal should center on that lane. Jacques-Imo's is the better fit when the decision is less about a specific seafood brief and more about a lively Oak Street dinner with a stronger night-out feel.
Boucherie is the safer pick for diners who want a more composed restaurant experience, while Cowbell works better for a lower-pressure neighborhood meal. If the group is mixed on cuisine, those two are easier fallback choices; if everyone wants New Orleans energy, Jacques-Imo's has the clearer reason to book.
Lebanon's Cafe and Barcelona Tapas are better when the group wants a cuisine pivot away from local Louisiana cooking. Pick them for variety, not for the same atmosphere. For visitors with only one open dinner slot, Jacques-Imo's is the more place-specific call.
Explore New Orleans
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Jacques-Imo's guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Jacques-Imo's
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacques-Imo's | New Orleans | ; | No published awards |
| Seafood Sally’s | New Orleans | Seafood (Cajun) | No published awards |
| Cowbell | New Orleans | ; | No published awards |
| Boucherie | New Orleans | ; | No published awards |
| Lebanon's Cafe | New Orleans | ; | No published awards |
| Barcelona Tapas | New Orleans | ; | No published awards |
How Jacques-Imo's New Orleans compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lunch or dinner better at Jacques-Imo's?
Dinner is the option here. Jacques-Imo's is open Wednesday through Friday from 5–10 PM and Saturday from 4–10 PM, with Monday, Tuesday, Sunday listed as closed. No lunch service is available.
Is Jacques-Imo's good for solo dining?
If you are planning to go alone, use the confirmed dinner hours and casual dress code as the planning basics, check current availability before you go.
Can Jacques-Imo's accommodate groups?
What are alternatives to Jacques-Imo's?
Seafood Sally's, Boucherie, Cowbell, Lebanon's Cafe, Barcelona Tapas are useful comparisons depending on timing, availability, the kind of dinner you want.
Is Jacques-Imo's good for a special occasion?
It can be considered for a casual evening if the confirmed dinner hours work for your plans. For a more formal or highly structured occasion, compare with Boucherie or Barcelona Tapas before deciding.
