Nestled in the heart of historic New Castle, Delaware, Nora Lee’s brings the vibrant flavors of New Orleans to the Mid-Atlantic region. This charming eatery is a hidden gem for those seeking an authentic taste of Creole and Cajun cuisine. From gumbo to jambalaya, each dish is crafted with love and a commitment to preserving the rich culinary heritage of Louisiana.
My experiences with New Orleans comes from watching NCIS: New Orleans and pictures. The one trip I had planned was postponed due to a hurricane. However, walking into Nora Lee’s is like stepping into a little corner of the French Quarter. It felt like Agent Pride and his team could have walked in at any time. The vibrant colors, lively jazz music, and warm, welcoming staff immediately transport you to the heart of New Orleans. Meanwhile, the décor exudes a cozy charm that invites diners to relax and savor their meal.
Creole and Cajun Cuisine
Start with the Gumbo
A and I both decide to start with a cup of gumbo, which is a testament to authentic Creole cooking. Rich, flavorful roux serves as the base for this hearty stew, which incorporated both chicken and andouille sausage. While A only gave it a 7.5 / 10, I gave it a 9 / 10. If I got the bowl, I could have made a meal out of just that. However, I also ordered a side of hush puppies.
Add Nora Lee’s Hush Puppies
I am always on the hunt for good hush puppies after tasting them at Drunken Jack’s in South Carolina. The hush puppies at Nora Lee’s ranks up there with them. As a side, they come in a group of seven (I think I got an extra one as the waitress said you get six) with a remoulade sauce on the side. We both gave the hush puppies 9 / 10 and I would go back just for them.
The Main Course
A’s love of jambalaya had him ordering the chicken & shrimp jambalaya and he rated in 12 / 10. He couldn’t sat enough great things about it. As for me, I had the cajun chicken po’boy. I gave this a 7.5 /10 as I was not expecting it to be as spicy as it was. I brought the majority of it home and ate it the next day and changed my rating to 8.5. The po’boy came with a side of homemade chips that were absolutely delicious.
Sweet Treats
The dessert is where A downgraded his overall rating. Why, you may ask? Well, being a Cajun / Creole place, he expected them to have beignets, which they did not. Due to this, we opted for no dessert (plus I was full from the hush puppies, gumbo, chips, and bits of po’boy).
Overall, Nora Lee’s was a fantastic place to visit for A’s birthday and we will definitely be going back to try more, or at least A will. I’ll be happy with some more gumbo and hush puppies.
