What Up With Dat?: My Food Favorites and Even More Answers

Below are more answers to this weeks reader questions submitted Wednesday, mostly about food. Special thanks to all those that participated because I'm really loving this segment. Feel free to continue the discussion in the comment section below.

Should we try to trade back in the 1st round next year? And also, what's the best Cajun restaurant in New Orleans? - Bigger B.

Wow, two completely random questions. It's hard to answer your first question because we don't know how this season is going to play out. But I'm more a fan of the Saints acquiring draft picks, not giving them up. I think they did so well in this years draft that they could afford to sit out the first round next year. As for the best Cajun restaurant in the city, that's also a tough one because I feel like the term "Cajun" is difficult to define and is often misused. But I would have to say my personal favorite is Paul Prudhomme's K Paul's Louisiana Kitchen on Chartres. Everything is so rich!

Who has the best pizza in town? Who has the best fried chicken? Burger or hot dog? Ribs or steak? - CSC M.

Let me first say, you've asked the right person. I consider myself quite the foodie and eat out...A LOT. I've actually been thinking about incorporating some of my food experiences on CSC if the lockout continues much longer. But let's not waste any more time and get right into it.

As far as pizza is concerned you must remember that I'm originally from New York. So that's got a heavy influence on my opinion. I don't care what you think and I don't care if you're from Chicago, New York has the best pizza. Here in New Orleans, my favorite pizza hands down comes from the Dough Bowl, a tiny carry out place attached to The Boot on Zimple St. It's the closest thing I've ever found to NY-style pizza in the city: large, greasy, pre-made slices that get re-heated in the oven when you order and can be ordered one slice at a time. The crust is thin and crispy. And even though you didn't ask, the best pizza in the world can be found at Umberto's in New Hyde Park or the one in Wantagh. Try a Grandma slice, the greatest slice of pizza ever made. Even if you don't believe me, you should take Rocco DiSpirito's word on it. Or voters, who consistently choose it as the best pizza on Long Island.

Admittedly, I'm not a huge fried chicken connoisseur. You might think this is pathetic but if I'm getting fried chicken, I'm going straight to Popeye's. I also love their red beans and rice; you can taste the fat. I have, however, heard that Willie Mae's Scotch House makes a damn good friend chicken.

Best burger is a bit tougher. Some people say Port of Call, others might throw out Yo Momma's in the Quarter. I'm an uptown guy so I'm going to go against the grain and say GB's Patio Bar & Grill on Maple St. which is attached to Madigan's bar. I think they make a great burger that rivals Port of Call's but without the hassle of going to the quarter or waiting in line. Try it out. You can get a loaded baked potato as well, with an nicely salted skin. As for hot dogs, I think you've got to check at Dat Dog on Freret St. They're new but I've been there twice and been very satisfied.

For ribs, I think the best place to go for BBQ in the city is The Joint in the Bywater. They used to have a small secondary place on Magazine St. but that's since disappeared. For steak I would recommend the one and only Charlie's Steak House on Dryades St. This is truly a unique place. Great for bachelor parties or a guys night out. They don't have a menu because you only have two options, the filet or the T-bone, which is served on a sizzling metal plate that's usually dented and misshapen from all it's previous uses. If you want a salad before your meal, you'll get a quarter wedge of iceberg lettuce on a plate. Gotta love it.