Cheeseburger fans, take note: some bites are worth a road trip.
At Port of Call in New Orleans, the burgers are legendary. Juicy, hefty, and overflowing with cheese, each one feels like a celebration between two buns.
Locals know the secret, and visitors quickly catch on—people come here not just to eat, but to experience a burger that lives up to its reputation.
The restaurant itself is casual and unpretentious, a place where the focus stays on the food. Atmosphere hums with chatter, laughter, and the occasional clink of a well-earned drink.
Plates arrive loaded, and no one leaves wishing they had ordered more.
Every bite tells a story of flavors built to satisfy. One visit is rarely enough.
People plan their trips, map their stops, and always leave with the same thought: this burger was worth the drive—and the wait.
Why Port of Call Became a Burger Legend
Port of Call’s reputation rests on a focused idea: do burgers and steaks so well that nothing else is needed. The dining room feels intimate, with naval accents, dim lighting, and a jukebox humming in the background.
You sit down, order a cheeseburger, and know exactly what you are here for.
The burger is ground in house, cooked to temperature, and crowned with a generous blanket of melted cheese. Instead of fries, a loaded baked potato arrives like a second headliner.
You can add bacon bits, chives, sour cream, and butter to taste, building each bite exactly how you want it.
Drinks lean strong and tropical. Neptune’s Monsoon is famous for a reason, but there is also a properly made Bloody Mary if that is your move.
You will notice the staff moving quickly, keeping the tiny room in motion without losing that easygoing, local charm.
Reviews rave about the value, flavor, and consistency, while a few wish for brighter lighting or different sides. You will find a line at peak hours, but the kitchen keeps things moving.
Come prepared to wait a bit, then relax into the ritual. The first bite usually makes the patience worth it.
The Cheeseburger: Build, Flavor, and Best Ways to Order
You get a thick, hand-formed patty with a deeply seared exterior and a tender, juicy center. Cheese coverage is generous, with a melty cap that drapes over the edges.
Cold toppings come on the side so you can stack the burger your way without sogging the bun.
Flavor-wise, it is classic beef forward, not overly seasoned, letting the grind speak. If you like a bit more kick, ask for extra pickles, a dash of hot sauce, or a side of steak sauce.
Medium or medium rare keeps the center juicy, though medium well still holds up due to the thick grind.
The bun is sturdy enough to handle the heft. Consider splitting the burger and potato if you are light eaters.
For an indulgent take, go mushroom and cheese, but know some guests mention canned mushrooms, so plan accordingly.
Timing matters: the kitchen makes burgers to order, so expect a wait during prime hours. If you are aiming for speed, arrive right at opening on weekdays.
However you tweak it, the cheeseburger remains the star. Keep napkins close, take a deep breath, and go for that first satisfying, drippy bite.
That Famous Baked Potato Instead of Fries
At Port of Call, the loaded baked potato is not a sidekick. It is the co-lead.
You get a steaming, oversized potato that arrives ready to be dressed with butter, sour cream, cheese, chives, and bacon bits.
Fans love the creamy texture and the way it balances the burger’s char. Critics sometimes wish for real bacon instead of bits, and some find the chives heavy handed.
If that is you, ask for light chives and extra cheese so you control the mix.
The potato gives you pacing control during the meal. Alternate bites to keep things interesting and keep that bun from collapsing under pressure.
If you are swapping fries for a full potato, you will probably leave fuller and happier than expected.
Want to pair it well with drinks? A tart cocktail cuts through the buttery richness nicely.
If you prefer beer, go crisp and cold. However you dress your potato, treat it like a customizable canvas.
Keep it simple or pile it high, and let the burger do the heavy lifting alongside.
Cocktails to Know: Neptune’s Monsoon and Friends
Neptune’s Monsoon is the iconic house drink, a tiki-strength pour that sneaks up fast. It is fruity, cold, and unapologetically strong, the kind of cocktail that pairs with salty, cheesy bites.
Sip slow, especially if you are still waiting on your burger.
If tiki is not your style, the Bloody Mary has a reputation for balance and bite. It is a proper brunch companion, but it works any time here.
You will also find straightforward mixed drinks and affordable beer for a simpler pairing.
Order strategy matters. If you plan on a Monsoon, maybe split one, or hydrate between sips.
You want to remember the burger, not just the cocktail.
The bar is small, and the team is efficient even when the line stretches out the door. Expect a lively hum inside, with locals and visitors clinking glasses under dim lights.
If you chase vibes, sit near the bar for that glow. Either way, you will taste why Port of Call is known for both burgers and booze.
When To Go, What It Costs, and How To Plan
Port of Call keeps hours that reward early planners. It is closed Tuesdays, opens at 11 AM most other days, and stays late Thursday through Saturday.
Expect lines during peak evenings, festival weekends, and after-parade surges.
Prices sit in that sweet spot: $$ for hefty portions and strong drinks. You will leave full, especially with the potato.
For convenience, keep the address handy: 838 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116. The phone is +1 504-523-0120.
Parking can be tricky, so walking or rideshare is smart. If you are set on a quick lunch, arrive right at open on weekdays.
For a slower, vibey night, slide in later and claim a bar seat if available.
Bring patience and an appetite. The kitchen makes burgers to order, and the room is intimate, so the experience feels personal.
If you are visiting during Mardi Gras or busy weekends, pad your timeline. The payoff is a reliably satisfying meal that feels like New Orleans without the fuss.
Ambiance: Dive Bar Spirit With Nautical Touches
The room is compact and cozy, with naval decor that feels collected rather than staged. String lights and candles cast a warm, moody glow.
It is a setting that invites conversation over clinking ice and sizzling burgers.
You will notice a true neighborhood feel. Locals squeeze in beside travelers, and the staff keeps things moving even when the waitlist swells.
Music from the jukebox adds nostalgia without drowning the table talk.
Some guests find it dark, some call it intimate, and both can be true depending on your mood. If you prefer brighter space, ask for a spot near the front or bar.
Otherwise, lean into that low light and let the atmosphere do its quiet work.
The point is simple: this is not a shiny, modern showroom. It is a classic New Orleans hangout where the burger is the star and the room frames it just right.
If dive bar soul with dependable food sounds right, you will feel at home here.
Quick Tips: Ordering, Customizing, and Handling the Wait
Come hungry and plan a simple order: cheeseburger, potato, and a drink. Ask for your preferred temp clearly, and request toppings like chives or bacon bits on the lighter side if you want control.
If mushrooms are your thing, go for it, but know some guests prefer skipping them.
Build your burger at the table. Keep lettuce and tomato crisp by stacking late.
If you like extra seasoning, a touch of hot sauce or a side of steak sauce can nudge the flavor without masking the beef.
To beat the rush, arrive at opening or slide in mid afternoon. Evenings bring lines, but the staff stays efficient.
Bar seating often turns faster than tables, so ask politely if you are flexible.
Finally, pace your drink, especially with a Monsoon. Keep water handy, settle into the hum of the room, and enjoy the steady rhythm of a place that knows its lane.
When the plate lands, you will understand why Port of Call remains a go to for burger fans.
History and Neighborhood: Esplanade Edge and French Quarter Energy
Port of Call sits where Esplanade meets the Quarter, close enough to feel the pulse but removed enough to breathe. You step in and the 1960s story hums along the walls, a timeline of burgers, steaks, and strong drinks.
The location matters because it catches neighborhood regulars and curious visitors in one current.
Walk over from Frenchmen Street music or drift down from Jackson Square. You get that gentle shift from tourist bustle to local rhythm as you approach the door.
The neighborhood’s older homes and live oaks set a slower pace that makes waiting feel natural.
Inside, the nautical touches nod to voyages while the jukebox stitches eras together. Staff move like seasoned deckhands, steady and unfussy.
It is not themed so much as anchored in a time when simple meant confident.
The building’s glow at night amplifies the promise of a reliable burger and a stiff Monsoon. Daytime brings sunlight strips across cozy booths.
Either way, the room catches the city’s energy without letting chaos spill into your meal.
What Locals Order Beyond The Burger
Locals know the burger is the star, but they finesse the details. They ask for medium rare, cheddar, grilled onions, and pickles on the side for crunch control.
The baked potato becomes a canvas with butter first, then sour cream, then chives, then a light salt flick.
Many split one burger and potato if hitting multiple stops later. Others double down and skip lunch entirely.
If you want to stretch flavor, add mushrooms and a swipe of hot sauce for gentle heat.
The steak quietly earns fans on slow nights, especially with a Monsoon or house margarita. A side salad, when available, balances richness.
Dessert is rare because the potato plays that comfort role already.
Locals pace drinks with water and stick to cash friendly expectations. They tip well, keep orders crisp, and let the grill rhythm lead.
You will feel in step when you edit extras and trust the kitchen’s focus.
How To Pair The Burger With The Rest Of Your Night
Think of Port of Call as the anchor and build your evening around it. Early dinner here, then music on Frenchmen Street, makes a relaxed circuit.
If you crave a later burger, plan a lighter afternoon and stroll the riverfront first.
Portions are hearty, so leave room for movement after. Walk under the oaks on Esplanade or window shop along Decatur.
The Monsoon rides strong, which pairs best with unhurried steps and good company.
For cocktail nerds, start with classics nearby and land here for the burger finale. For families, late afternoon beats the rush and keeps bedtime sane.
Solo travelers can grab the bar, eat well, and slide into a show two blocks away.
Rain plan is simple: linger and chat while the storm passes, then head out. Your night will feel sequenced, not scrambled.
The burger becomes the chapter that ties the city’s soundtrack together.