Jacques Imos
It was about this time last year that my brother delivered his 1984 Porsche to me. I am caring for it for the three years he and his family will be in Italy on his Navy wifes tour of duty. Im a nice brother that way.
My known extended family is small. It now consists of my older brother, a younger sister, one aunt, one male cousin, my three kids, four nieces and one nephew. Thats about it. There are more, but we dont know them or where they are somewhere in the Mississippi Delta region and strewn elsewhere along the south I suppose. Its the downside of all of us moving all of our lives. Contacts arent made; contacts are kept. Even for all of us in this small group to meet is a rarity. So when my brother planned to be here to deliver the car, I called my sister and asked if she could join us for a day or two and she jumped at the opportunity. By flying into New Orleans, we could meet her there and make plans to spend some time with our aunt and my three kids (the four of them living in New Orleans at the time). Practically the whole famn damily. It had been at least fifteen years since we had all been together like that. And that was my mothers funeral. We like each other alright, its just were not the kind of family that gets together often.
But this event was a really good time for all of us. It could be because it was short (two days) and we were not constantly together my brother and I stayed in a hotel; my sister stayed with my daughter; my boys in their place; my aunt at hers. In typical New Orleans fashion (and in deference to the August heat which is truly unbearable outdoors in the city), our social time revolved around eating and drinking. I left the location for the one evening meal up to my daughter who is now most knowledgeable of the city and she chose a winner for sure Jacques-Imos. I had been before, but had forgotten about its attraction. Fantastic food and reasonably priced, its one of the favorites of locals (and tourists who do their homework). Its not in the French Quarter, but in the Uptown area within walking distance of the streetcar line close to Tulane University and St. Charles. Reservations are only taken for five or more. Fewer wait up to three hours to be seated without complaint. The wait can be entertaining with experienced patrons lining up on the sidewalk with their coolers of beer and folding chairs ala tailgating, communing with others who wait: tourists, freaks, rednecks, students, wealthy, hip-hoppers, artists, yuppies, urbanites, suburbanites, the typical New Orleans melting pot.
Since we had reservations, we were seated pretty quickly. We placed our drink and appetizer orders and were engaged in lively conversation, but from my seat I could overhear the ruckus at the table behind me. The chef/proprietor is another draw to restaurant. He is usually out roaming amongst the patrons, diving into their conversations, or hes throwing straws, paper cups etc. at his wait staff and bartenders, or involved in some similar foolishness. He always has a tall glass of either gin or vodka and its never his first for the day. I gave a look over my shoulder and saw him standing at the head of a table full of guys who were obviously having a really good time. Businessmen no doubt. Likely a convention of some sort. There were always conventions of some sort in the city. I re-focused on our tables activities, but before long I overheard something at that table that made eavesdropping a higher priority. Seems the men were all in marketing and sales from out West. And they were in town to market their new product. Which was beer.
Well.
My duty became obvious instantly. I answered the calling to be a gracious host of the South, turned to apologize for listening in, introduced myself, and asked about their brew. Involved as they were in extensive personal quality control of their product, they were oh so very accommodating. They were from Colorado and had just supplied Jacques-Imos with courtesy cases. They asked if I would like to try it. It would have been terribly rude not to accept the offer so I asked the drunken chef if the waitress knew where they were stored if I asked her to bring me one. ONE??!!, their table erupted, We want all of you to try it! We want you to have all you want! We want you to drink nothing but our beer!
So we did.
For most of the rest of the night. Our table and theirs. In fact, the drunken chef immediately hollered for the waitress to bring out our beer as he disappeared for a short moment, returning with a large waste can for us to deposit our purchased shit beer into. Which we did (after chugging of course). Ive forgotten the name of the new beer. Oh wait a minute, I remember it now. It was called Free beer. My favorite brand. The chronology in pics:
We arrive and order our shit beer.
Our benefactors (and drunken chef).
Benefactors at my back, drunken chef replaces our shit beer and #1 son and I reflect our appreciation of our new brand of (aka free) beer.
Some time later, famn damily departs. Left to right: Batman, Son #1, Daughter, Son #2 with g/f, Sis, Aunt, Bro. (Check out my order here, Myst did I get that right?)
A so very typical New Orleans experience. I miss that so much. I miss New Orleans. The good news is that Jacques-Imos has recently re-opened. But I still wonder if it will ever be the same. I wonder if any of it will ever be the same. Of my four family members who lived there then, only one went back. Pretty much representative of the entire city population.
[My next posting: New Orleans One Year Later My Perspective]
You know, some people are just born to be lucky. My last hottie evening out and I sit next to a group of pencil salesmen. Pencils! I shaved my legs for that. I am now able to take every test for the rest of my life that requires a #2 pencil and you can thank Vickie Secrets for that. Whoopie.
Warning Comment
A delightful account of a too-rare good time. Those pictures really tell the story. I do hope you go back to the restaurant and file a report. Do you think the name comes from the old song “Iko-Iko”?
Warning Comment
Free beer–my favorite brand! I wanna hear your year later perspective on NO.
Warning Comment
Free Beer? Damn it. I missed the free fricken beer. I hope it was chilled to perfection. It sounds like such a delightful evening!
Warning Comment
Amazing to think that just a month later, there was so much destruction. Hey, I recognize that shirt! I have a picture of you in that shirt. Did that pecan waffle restaurant survive. They had GOOD waffles there…
Warning Comment
you are a giver – taking are of the porsche and partaking of the beer – a true giver ; )
Warning Comment
your description of the city brought back many memories of my visit there, eons ago. Loved that city.
Warning Comment
Oh what a memorable night indeed. My sister recently went to New Orleans for work- training seminars. She brought back some sad tails. I’m with Lama. I never sit next to salesmen with good products.
Warning Comment
A fun family and free beer. Now THAT’S good stuff. Great pics…thanks for sharing them.
Warning Comment
Nice story, great pictures, a happy time had by all…db
Warning Comment
Sounds like a great night–family, food, and free beer! Thanks for sharing it with us. 🙂
Warning Comment
*snorts* Want his email so you can ask?? *L*
Warning Comment
I recognize that beer. Was that ‘flying dog?” That’s some yummy stuff. And cheap even if you have to pay for it. Tire biter is one of my favs. And very cool labels. fun stuff.
Warning Comment
Hey! If I were blind – would you point that out to everybody!! Just because my handicap seems to be directional rather than physical… *pfffft* Actually, the family looks great and obviously everyone is having a blast. “Free” Beer. I remember a summer when we’d all just left the army and were broke, broke, broke. The guys took to drinking a beverage that was literally in a white can with the words “BEER” about the only lettering on the side. And it was damn cheap. Therefore, damn delicious! 😉
Warning Comment
A Porsche and a sense of humor. Women must find you irresistable !! Smiles….
Warning Comment
Thanks for the note, dear Phaedrus. How ever did I miss reading you. Thanks for leaving me a note. Yes, Gila Bend is never never land. Then again, that upper highway is truly a straight line on the AAA map. Perhaps the mapmaker should have had a few more beers as it isn’t at all straight when it reaches the mountains.
Warning Comment
What a fabulous looking (drunken) family yoU have, M’dear! “Free” beer and fambly — it just doesn’t get any better than that. LWM 143
Warning Comment
haha what fun! sounds like a really genuinly perfect good time! how lucky to have that! RYN: adventure in the wrong sence I think. I want adventure but not strict adventure, I want to make my own rules. Alwell, if i change my mind, then I can…for now. And I think all the men out there that are good, are related to me! ha…i’m screwed…or not, acctually! darn…haha
Warning Comment
I hid to avoid repercussion! *L* The gruesome twosome vs. me? I don’t think so. I leave as the weiner. Ermm..WINNER!
Warning Comment
RYN: Exactly like the teacher you don’t really wanna know about outside of the classroom! Sorry about the NO crack…
Warning Comment
RYN: I think I am. You get a part of that thanks my friend!
Warning Comment
RYN: Thanks for the note. I’m hoping that they realize that banning all internet usage and looking over shoulders for 24 hours a day isn’t functional. We will see.
Warning Comment
No, damn it your order was all fvked up…jeesh….just kidding…
Warning Comment
I am LMAO @ the “shit” beer…………what a great time you guys had, I need a night out JUST LIKE THAT ONE! HUGS, good to “see ya” again. 🙂
Warning Comment
RYN: I don’t get the catholic school girl uniform thing,,,(which is because I am NOT a guy) Once I cleared up the why did you break up with me and I hope you had a good life, issues, then, I dunno, the mystery was gone! Maybe I’ll go to the next one. Still waiting your NO entry. It’s the city I am most fascinated with. Must be my catholic and whitchraft roots!
Warning Comment
RYN: Ha! I snuck into your bar and took that pic!
Warning Comment
Yeah, right. Like you play college football!
Warning Comment
ryn: we didn’t finish the game. my rule is i only watch the first half of preseason games and the second half of regular games. did you see reggie bush go?! haha!
Warning Comment
also, don’t you find yourself saying “this will be the year” almost every year? i say “they might suck this year” that way i can either be right or surprised
Warning Comment
Great photos…looks like fun! ryn: Weight loss? Umm…because I need to! (That’s not MY photo *IN* the entry, you know.)
Warning Comment
man, remember that time we ALMOST did!? 🙂
Warning Comment
ryn: I’m on the other side of the camera. It works out better that way, believe me.
Warning Comment
RYN: That’s funny–we were totally spculating that they’d had a fight, but more because Lew didn’t want Selena to drink. Although, it could be what you said…you never know. It always seems that you end up liking one half of a couple more than the other, you know? In this case, we like Selena. 🙂
Warning Comment
alright little mister…it’s time for a new entry eh? chop chop.
Warning Comment
RYN: You are NOT the only one who likes their eggs that way. Haha.
Warning Comment
ryn: ssshhh, our secret, and i’m surprised..aren’t u glad i did leave the gory details out then…Thanks for your sweet note…take care in this louisiana muck…db
Warning Comment
ryn: you LEARN stuff from me? like what??
Warning Comment
ryn: Really? Cause I thought “frothing panties” would have done you under.
Warning Comment
RYN: thank you, thank you,,I am finally vindicated for all the things I have absolutely no interest in. And it’s called “wisdom!” Who knew???
Warning Comment
ryn: I like the way you think!! Shitting doesnt look so bad after all!
Warning Comment
ryn: It’s all still there, it’s just up.
Warning Comment
RYN: You are so not old, you’re seasoned…interesting facts indeed..and you’re a sweetheart of a man, i love reading your entries…take care…db
Warning Comment
no shame in making a profit from the word of the lord. the harvest church agrees with me
Warning Comment
by the way, i’m looking forward to reading your next post. i wish i had written “one year later-what i expect” a year ago, and then see how well it’d match up to now. i had such high hopes for a few minutes
Warning Comment
Clearly a good time was had by all. Great shots. ryn: you shoulda been here. My loin was tender and juicy and delicious. Just saying.
Warning Comment