and Grits with alligator sausage , the Kentucky Hot Brown ( an open-faced turkey and bacon sandwich topped with cream sauce , pimentos , tomatoes and a sunny side up egg ) or the halfpound Angus beef burger with caramelized onions . Sala ’ s selection of Benedicts will have you licking your chops with options like Crab Cakes Benedict and house-cured Smoked Salmon Benedict . Be sure to save room for the scrumptious Zeppole , fried powdered sugar donuts with cream cheese icing . Joe and wife Christina have a Sheepadoodle puppy named Benny — after Eggs Benedict , of course ! A longtime animal lover who grew up with a Pit Bull named Duke and a Blue Point Siamese named Jasper , Joe adores being a pet parent . “ I love how happy we are to see each other when I get home and the way he cuddles up next to us when we watch TV .” Kick back with your pooch under Sala ’ s covered , outdoor patio where Fido will enjoy a bowl of water , while humans sip bottomless mimosas for just $ 20 on Saturdays , house-made Bloody Mary ’ s and frozen bellinis . You ’ ll have a ball during Happy Hour from 3 – 6 p . m . Tuesday through Sunday with discounted small plates and select specialty cocktails .
WAKIN ’ BAKIN ’ wakinbakin . com
Sala
Owners Conrad Chura , a Michigan native , and Crystal , who hails from California , fell in “ puppy ” love with the Crescent City while traveling across the country with AmeriCorps and soon realized that they found their fur-ever home . The duo landed in the restaurant business and , while living in Mid-City , discovered a void in morning-time dining options . They saved every penny of their tip money and pooled resources from friends and family to create a delivery only “ pop-up ”. Two years later , the right
Sala
location presented itself , so the first brick and mortar Wakin ’ Bakin ’ was born with the goal of offering affordable , quality breakfast served in a sunny , casual environment . Today , the family-owned and operated business boasts three thriving locations in Mid-City , Uptown and the French Quarter , with plans to expand . Fido can accompany you to the Mid-City location , which has about 24 pet-friendly seats and Uptown , with ruff-ly 25 covered outdoor seats . Both locations will happily bring your pooch a bowl of water and if he ’ s is lucky ( and they ’ re not too busy ) the friendly staff will offer a scrambled egg or slice of bacon . As for human guests , dig into favorites such as The Usual : freshly cracked eggs cooked your way with homemade butter biscuits , thick-sliced bacon and choice of side ( The Cajun smashed hash with Creole seasoning will have you begging for more !) or , The SuperBowl ( black beans and Cajun hash under melted cheddar and pepper jack with bacon confit , sage sausage , jalapenos , caramelized onions , salsa , avocado and poached eggs .) Don ’ t miss their signature sourdough , which “ was born in 2010 from local honey , water and starch and ever since , we ’ ve nurtured her like a baby . As of today , she has produced over 1,000 loaves ,” explains Conrad . The other delectable must is the bacon confit , which is slow simmered in its own fat , infusing the meat with a rich applewood smoke flavor . The Wakin ’ Bakin ’ team loves animals and several are pet parents including Conrad and Crystal , who have fish and a turtle , manager Jon , dad to two rescue dogs ( a American Bulldog mix named Pita and Molly , a Black Lab mix ), and marketing manager Jeanne , who has six rescues — three dogs and three cats . Additionally , the company proudly supports Trampled Rose Rescue & Rehab , so you can feel warm and fuzzy while treating your taste buds .
20 Life Unleashed