Surviving New Orleans on 70 Dollars: Beignets, Po’ Boys, and Fried Chicken

Travel prices are up, but New Orleans still delivers big flavor on a small budget. We put the $70-per-person challenge to the test: breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner tax and tip included, plus classic NOLA vibes, streetcars, and a few free sights. Check out our full series of Cheap Eats challenges HERE.

Cheap Eats New Orleans $70 Dollars a Day Challenge

The Rules

• $70 per person for the whole day

• 4 food stops: breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner

• Tax + tip included in every total

• Transit/sightseeing not included in the $70 (we note cheap options)

Getting Around (budget tip)

• Streetcar/Jazzy Pass (Le Pass app): ~$3/day for unlimited rides. Historic, scenic, and cheap.

Breakfast: Molly’s Rise and Shine (Garden District → Magazine St.)

Retro-cool, toy-packed nostalgia with serious breakfast chops from the Turkey & the Wolf team. You will find many places like this in New Orleans, but we decided to try this viral sensation from the makers of Turkey and the Wolf. A protein-rich breakfast is highly recommended when on a budget, as it helps you stay full longer.

• Spicy Chicken Biscuit: flaky buttermilk biscuit, honey butter, Duke’s mayo, perfectly seasoned, juicy fried chicken.

• Grand Slam “McMuffin”: sausage patty, hash brown, added egg, grilled onions, Heinz ketchup on a pillowy English muffin.

Spend:

• Person A: $13.21 (after tax & tip)

• Person B: $12.56 (after tax & tip)

Vibe check: Fun 90s throwbacks, good tunes, big portions. The chicken biscuit is a must order.

Free Sights Between Bites

Though our Cheap Eats challenges don’t include the cost for attractions, you can certainly rack up a hefty bill on other activities while visiting any city. New Orleans offers plenty of fun, free ways to stay busy, explore the city, and work up your appetite. :)

• Jackson Square & St. Louis Cathedral: classic views, buskers, and local artists lining the fence (great place for unique art).

• French Quarter stroll & Bourbon Street (daytime): different energy, free to wander. Please wear closed-toe shoes (trust us).

• Garden District walk: towering oaks + mansions = real-life Haunted Mansion vibes.

Snack #1: Loretta’s Authentic Pralines (French Market)

We skipped the obvious Cafe Dumond and went for Loretta’s filled beignets (pro-tip: wear white if you dare—the powdered sugar goes everywhere).

• Praline-filled beignets: crisp outside, fluffy inside, warm brown-sugar-pecan filling. Savory options (crab, hamburger) are available for next time.

Spend:

• Person A: $10.40 (after tax & tip)

Lunch (Two Iconic Sandwich Lanes)

New Orleans is the birthplace of some of the most iconic drinks and foods, like the Muffuletta and Po’Boy sandwiches. Even though we each ordered separately, we did share, and that is another pro-tip. Be open to sharing because while on a budget, the portions are large and there is plenty to go around. Of course, this depends on appetite and per person, but each of these was super filling and large.

Option A: Central Grocery & Deli (Original Muffuletta)

Home of the 1906 classic—sesame loaf stacked with cured meats & cheeses, crowned by olive salad that soaks into the bread. Served cold on purpose.
Spend: Person A: $18.23 (after tax & tip)

Option B: Parkway Bakery & Tavern (Roast Beef Po’ Boy)

Long lines, worth it. Fully dressed (lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayo) on crackly-crust New Orleans French bread, tender roast beef with rich gravy. Add fries if the budget allows.
Spend: Person B: $23.99 (po’ boy + fries, after tax & tip)

Snack #2: Chance In Hell SnoBalls (Kitten & Lou’s)

Local, artsy, eco-friendly SnoBalls with optional condensed milk (do it).

• Nectar flavor: creamy, smooth texture—more “snow” than “ice.”
  Spend: Person B: $8.06 (after tax & tip)

Dinner: Willie Mae’s (James Beard Winner)

You had us at Fried Chicken. Warning, don’t be fooled by other chicken restaurants around town using the name Willie’s. This is a marketing ploy to confuse tourists and is not the original Willie Mae’s. Pro tip: make a reservation and get ready for a great evening and meal—fried chicken pilgrimage: light, shatter-crisp crust; seasoned meat (dark meat shines).

• Plates include a side and cornbread. Mac & cheese is a standout; red beans & rice can vary.

Spend (each): $23.24 (after tax & tip)

Budget Scorecards (Tax + Tip Included)

Person A (Beignets + Muffuletta route)

• Breakfast (Molly’s): $13.21

• Snack (Loretta’s): $10.40

• Lunch (Central Grocery): $18.23

• Dinner (Willie Mae’s): $23.24

• Total: $65.08 → Under by ~$4.92 (your on-screen tally noted $3.92 left; either way, safely under)

Person B (Po’ Boy + SnoBall route)

• Breakfast (Molly’s): $12.56

• Lunch (Parkway + fries): $23.99

• Snack (Chance In Hell): $8.06

• Dinner (Willie Mae’s): $23.24

• Total: $67.85 → Under by $2.15

How To Recreate This Day On Any Budget

• Ride the streetcar: cheap transit + built-in sightseeing.

• Anchor breakfast at a crowd-pleaser with big portions.

• Choose one snack icon (beignet or SnoBall) and savor it.

• Split an iconic sandwich at lunch (muffuletta or po’ boy) to maximize flavor per dollar.

• Finish with a signature dinner (fried chicken, red beans & rice, or a classic Creole spot) and mind the sides.

• Stack free sights (Jackson Square, Cathedral, Quarter walks) to stretch the day without stretching the budget.

Final Take

New Orleans proves you can still travel on a budget without skimping on culture or flavor. Between heritage streetcars, free landmarks, and soul-warming classics, the $70 challenge is absolutely doable—tax and tip included—and seriously fun.