Cafe Freret

This is why I love Café Freret… hardly ever a line, quality food served in generous proportions. Inside & outside seating is available, & they are dog friendly!!! This has always been my pup’s favorite Sunday after-​walk brunch spot!

Pros:
Nice patio.
Pets allowed.
Friendly service
Cons:
Food just ok.
Prices a tad on the high side for lunch.

Wow. Had the special tonite during bike in movie nite — speghetti and meatballs. Delicious. Red gravy was sweet and delicately flavored and the pasta was angel hair cooked precisely. Sise garden salad was ample. I will enjoy this again.

The place is a Tulane staple, based mostly on its proximity and its acceptance of «NolaBucks.» The food is fine but not much more, and I appreciate the outdoor seating.
One really great thing about Café Freret is that dogs are welcome! They even have treats.

I have been eating Eggs Benedict Traditional and drinking Mimosas here on the patio with my most loved ones since I discovered this place 7 years ago. The staff is outstanding, the vibe is always perfect, do yourself a favor and visit this wonderful establishment of New Orleans. Yes, there is a bit of a college crowd– that is hilarious to watch during their hangovers, but its very neighborly and has an amazing dedicated long term staff. The decent prices are so pleasant to the consistent deliciousness, make sure to tip this team well. Also Pet friendly! but be a responsible pet owner and don’t bring a dog not comfortable with this environment.

Nice little diner tucked in to the neighborhood behind Tulane University Café Freret has always reliable meals cooked to order and great daily specials with breakfast served all day which is a big plus for me especially on the weekends. The chef is an alumnist of one of the top cooking schools in the world so let him cook you up something special like the shrimp stew which was excellent. The desserts are also phenomenal. I go mostly on Tuesday nights for dinner and a movie which is great under the cover of the converted old gas station. You may be tempted to just get a burger or bacon and eggs but get the specials and the great poboys like the chicken bomb which is one of my favorites. Oh and if you like spicy ask for the spicy housemade sauces.

Café Freret is a staple with its dog friendly, slightly rustic ambience. There weekend benedicts are worthwhile as are the huge pancakes and French toast. Iced coffee is good and huge, just like you need it on a weekend morning.

So glad we found this little hole in the wall place! And it only gets better since they welcome fur babies!
The waitress immediately brought out a big bowl of ice water for my fur baby, Nala. And also informed us about the Doggie Treat Menu, which instantly won me over.
The food is superb! The Pecan Belgium waffle with bacon melts in your mouth. I also had the crab stuffed jalapeño poppers that were so scrumptious!
I would definitely recommend this place to any one!!!

I loved the location, the service, the food, and the outdoor seating! The alcohol collection could be better but they’re so much fun I LOVE it! I will go back!

Waaaahhh! I am so bummed! What happened café freret? There are many new waiters and the service was not as good. One woman told us it would be a 35 min. Wait for food, even though we had a table, before even greeting us. It felt like we were being encouraged to leave. Then the food came, the potatoes were undercooked and the eggs had been poached with so much vinegar that they were almost inedible. We all left most of our plates. When we informed the waiter, he shrugged and said sorry, but did nothing to rectify the situation. You’re on time out Café Freret. I hope you return to the awesome breakfast spot that I have loved so much in the past.

I’ve been here twice. The first time I had the Grilled Tomato Benedict, it was solid. The hash browns were okay too, a little too much with the dried basil/​oregano, but well cooked. The atmosphere is the selling point with great outdoor seating and I remember my server being friendly. Today was kind of opposite, a real let down. I had the same thing, but I guess someone put waaaaay too much vinegar in the poaching pot, it was pretty much inedible. Hash browns were also undercooked and they upped the dried basil/​oregano quotient exponentially. I was pretty hungry having been up for 4 hours and before breakfast, I just couldn’t get through it and neither could my two other dining companions. Our server seemed a little less than enthused about us coming in, before even asking if we needed menus or something to drink she proclaimed that service would take at least 30−45min and looked at us as if to say, ‘you probably shouldn’t stay seated’. Hoping this was just one really off day for this cute café. I try it again for lunch or something else, but the benedict is on a time out.

Such a disappointment. It was fun seeing all the well-​behaved dogs; this is obviously a favored neighborhood spot. The food was very good; I had the Weaver Benedict, my husband the sausage gravy and biscuits. Our grandson enjoyed his pancakes. The problem was the service. The staff wasn’t surly; they were friendly and upbeat. Very slow. The coffee, water, and orange juice came right up, but I had to go to the bar to ask for our carafe of mimosas after they weren’t brought in twenty minutes. Our server ignored our signals. I never did get a second cup of coffee, in spite of asking for one from every cheerful server who asked if everything was fine, and if we needed anything. It took an hour and ten minutes after our order for our food to arrive. We were assured by two different servers, unasked, it was coming right up. Our grandson was extraordinarily patient for a three year old. I ended up taking him for two long walks; one while we were waiting for the food, one while we were waiting for the check. We’ll never go back again.

I used to go to a bar at this location, oh many moons ago, and once saw a professor passed out on the bar. So the location has that bit of nostalgia going for it.
I ordered an iced tea and a egg sandwich. One of the servers was great; the other one seemed to be off in her own universe. I had been seated for about 15 – 20 minutes when she finally noticed me. Luckily, the on-​top-​of-​it server had already taken my order.
The space is great if the weather is good. You eat outside under the covering of a 1940s gas station… y’know where the pumps would be. And it’s dog friendly which is nice.
But my food was pretty indifferent. I arrived poorly assembled and with inedible tomatoes
Would I stop in again? Maybe on a beautiful day but just don’t expect great food.

Café Freret does serve good, hearty breakfasts in a dog-​friendly patio setting. However– don’t go if you don’t have all day. The wait staff is usually friendly, albeit slow and forgetful.
Today, however, we almost paid for our coffee and left after waiting about 15 – 20 minutes with no one coming over to take our order. Another couple walked in 10 minutes after us and got waited on. On top of that, the coffee server (a young airhead) came out and chided me when she saw me turning my head to look for a server. She said, with a very condescending, serious tone, «You need to be patient! Be patient. Someone will be here soon.» My partner didn’t want to find another breakfast place, but I was ready to leave. I don’t pay to be fussed at. Never again.

I’ve been debating updating my review based on one bad experience out of many. My last review was 4 stars. This time I am giving 3. I didn’t want to bash them even though I had a bad experience today and you’ll see why.
First of all I only got three hours of sleep last night. Secondly I woke up early and I had an hour drive before I was able to make it to any breakfast estimation. The reason this is important for me to explain is because I was extremely hungry by the time I arrived. I sat down around 11:50 this morning. my server did not take my order until 12. My food did not arrive until 12:25. By the time I got my food I Felt sick to my stomach and could eat anything that was remotely edible. Or so I thought…
When I finally received my food I was relieved but then immediately disappointed to visually see that my eggs were runny. When I ordered my eggs I said I wanted them «over easy/​over medium». I assume usually whenever someone says over medium it means that they are serious about not having any «runny-​ness». As soon as I cut through the eggs the undercooked liquid came pouring out.
Everyone has their way of eating their breakfast. Everyone has their pet peeves and their way of doing things. The way I like to eat my eggs is to cut around the yolk, Cut the white part into pieces, and dip my whites into the yolk. Then I take the second yolk put it on top of my hashbrowns and «stab» the yolk so that it pours over the hashbrowns kind of like a sauce. Well if you look at my picture this didn’t work out very well. And it tasted worse than what it looks.
So for breakfast all I had was the biscuit, some of the bacon, and I picked up the hashbrowns. And I did not eat all the hashbrowns because I like my yolk poured over.
I know it’s a sad sad story. However despite my disappointment I simply asked for my check and was ready to go on my way. I was not going to say anything I was simply just not going to come back. Not anytime soon at least.
Nevertheless on my server came around and I asked her to bring me my check she noticed that my plate was still pretty full and that I had barely eaten anything. She asked me if something was wrong. I wasn’t going to make a big deal out of it and I didn’t want to so all I said was something along the lines of: «the eggs were so runny I couldn’t eat them. They just did not taste good. Very bland.»
She apologized. And I know there was no need for that because I know she didn’t cook them and I did not want to take it out on her because that wouldn’t be fair. I was a server for two years, so I feel I am very understanding.
She came back with my check and said that she only charged me for the biscuit which was $ 3.50 and then she apologized again. I did not expect that at all. They did not have to do that so I seriously take that into consideration while I wrote this review.
So out of the possible 10 times that I have been here this is my first time that I have had a bad experience with my food. That is not bad! not to mention they are pet friendly and they bring your dog a bowl of water. Pet friendly restaurants get extra brownie points with me.
In the end I gave her close to an eight dollar tip which is more than what the tip would’ve been even if they had charged me full price. I knew it wasn’t her fault and she was very apologetic. So that alone shows me that they cared enough to want me to come back. And I will.

I love breakfast for lunch on Sunday’s, so I thought I’d try this place. It took them over an hour to bring our food. To top that off, the food was COLD. They did take the cold food off the bill, but I was also annoyed by the fact that other tables who came in after us were served their food before us.
They’re lucky they have the dog friendly atmosphere, or I don’t think they’d have anyone eating there…

NOT TOTALLY TERRIBLE. A FEW THINGS ARE GOOD!
I’d pass on the apps because they sound way more tempting than they actually are. The crab stuffed jalapeños unfortunately seem purchased from «Everythings A Dollar». Fortunately at Café Freret there’s a star:
THE CHICKENBOMB!
It ranks among the «best of sandwiches» in the city: Melba’s shrimp po’boy Stein’s Reuben, the Camelia Special at Camelia Grill, Parasol’s pulled pork, Yo Mama’s PB & Bacon burger, Gene’s sloppy roast beef, and of course the inimitable Shrimply the Best at Milk Bar. However as to poultry the Chickenbomb is off the hook good. It’s a sautéed onion & peppers-​y swiss-​cheesy charred chunky chicken in a creamy mustardy remoulade mess. Get it with just chips: $ 9!
THE CHICKENBOMB PROTIP:
It may seem high maintenance but ask that they hollow out the top of the bread, get the mushrooms on the side (they may be sketchy) and definitely request an extra creole mayonnaise.

this place is absurd. I came to the restaurant after a run and asked for a water to go because I was severely dehydrated. they demanded a quarter and refused to give me a water. the manager is lethargic and an insult to all positions in the industry. also the food is completely inedible, this incident made me mad enough to elaborate. don’t go there unless you’re starving and only have tulane nola bucks

Café Freret is a reincarnated gas station located in East Carrollton on the Downtown/​Lake corner of Freret and Lowerline. My wife and I recently discovered this one of a kind place by walking and exploring our neighborhood. One definite Hole In The Wall New Orleans Neighborhood eating establishment.
The food is tasty and flavorful at reasonable prices and served with a staff of genuine people who do everything to make sure you pass a good time. Breakfast is served at all open hours. The menu covers a diverse selection of food with some very unique sandwiches. Full bar with prices to make you come back for more.
Arrived at Café Freret with a strong desire for their Muffaletta. Will have to return because they were out of their home made Olive Salad. On this visit we enjoyed a Carafe of Mimosa for $ 10.00. The Crab Stuffed Jalapeños were good and served with a Chipotle Ranch Dressing. To replace the Muffaletta the Chickenbomb Sandwich was selected.
The Chickenbomb was a delight to the taste buds. Prepared with very tender chicken that is adequately covered with Swiss Cheese, Sautéed Onions, Mushrooms and Bell Peppers. This Chef’s Signature Sandwich came on toasted French Bread that was very good quality and covered with Créolé mayonnaise that was distinctive in flavor.
There are different flavored Iced Coffees, once again, at reasonable prices for the size of the serving and the taste of the product.
This restaurant reminds me of New Orleans. Where everyone is welcomed and the food is so good. Although your four legged family member is confined to the outdoor seating they are welcomed and they have their own menu. All that was needed was some French music so I could really feel as if back in Paris.

I have now come here twice and loved it. First time I split a French toast and and traditional eggs Benedict with my boyfriend. Both of us loved it. This time I just stopped for a mimosa and some mots sticks. Same server both times, she is very sweet and pleasant.
Brought my dogs this time and the first thing that was brought out to me when I sat down was a dog bowl full of ice water. I am greatful for that.
Overall just a nice place to relax and enjoy your meal.
I would not recommend going here if you are in a super rush, but on the same note, if you are in a «rush» you should not be stopping at a restaurant to eat.