Continuing our weekly tradition, NOLA foodies are on the prowl this week checking off the last items from their COOLinary bucket lists, and we’re going big or going home here at Very Local New Orleans with some luscious bites you must know about.

Pecan Pie by Haydel’s Bake Shop by Lorin Gaudin (@nolafoodgoddess)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmzYAoDlF3t/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=nd3n8151l02z

Being a food writer has some really sweet perks sometimes (who are we kidding, ALL the time!) Our food contributor Lorin Gaudin got her hands on this luscious creation from the soon-to-open Haydel’s Bake Shop on Magazine. She’ll be delivering the scoop when the date gets near so stay tuned! 

Smorgasbord at District Donuts by Very Local’s Clint Durrett (@verylocalnola)

Our pilot manager made us proud with this spread at District Donuts complete with the double cheeseburger, fried chicken sandwich–with buttermilk garlic slaw, candied jalapenos, and spicy pimiento cheese–and waffle cheese fries topped with jalapenos for good measure. Here’s what he had to say:

“Always go big if you’re gonna do anything. I’ve always been partial to the sliders at District, but took a big old stab at the double cheeseburger with some bacon because duh. Those cheesy fries and colossal chocolate glazed donut packed with some BYOB I snatched from Stein’s next door before closing, made this typical Tuesday terrifically tasty.”

Churros con Chocolate at Paloma Cafe by Me (@nola.bites)

After a lovely stroll through the Bywater, I found myself having a birthday weekend brunch with friends and fam at Paloma Cafe. Trust me when I say no meal here is complete until you dip the churros to your heart’s content in the spicy dark chocolate. Thank me later.

What Our Fellow Foodies Ate…

On that note, we want to see what Y’ALL ARE EATING! Hashtag your food and restaurant posts with #VeryLocalNolaEats so we can share it on our weekly round-up.

Lamb Neck Roti at Turkey and The Wolf by @kimmy.eats

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmwdh2UHEuX/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=rboqj49sw9n2

There’s no denying that all the creations at T&W are wild. @kimmy.eats feels like out of all of them this one is her least favorite, and she rather have the melt. We really dig the slow-cooked lamb flavors and how the sauce literally drips down to your elbows. What are your thoughts?

Hand-pulled Noodles at Maypop by @fatkidnola

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmt-6NrnRL_/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=cl1dfiuy6orp

We also find ourselves reminiscing about the hand pulled noodles tossed with blue crab,  pork sausage, tofu and the very sought-out Mapo sauce at Maypop. They also happen to be on the COOLinary menu, so we got a week left to score on this deal!

Bucatini at Josephine Estelle by @nolagourmand

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmwfrcMlygE/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=nigzhc3niv95

And speaking of COOLinary, here’s another item to add to your to do list for its finale: The Bucatini with amatriciana, guanciale, chili, and garlic on the lunch menu is so good that @nolagourmand had it twice this week!