The History of Minnie & John’s Kitchen & Cocktails

On Law Street, in the heart of the 8th Ward neighborhood of New Orleans, stood a majestic southern magnolia tree—strong, graceful, and rooted deep, just like the legacy behind it. Tucked just beyond its sweeping branches was a small, humble home. And behind that home’s weathered door—a door that was always open—was a kitchen that became the soul of the neighborhood.

If you happened to arrive at just the right time, you’d catch the smell of something magical on the stove. That meant she was cooking.

Who was she? She was the mother. Our mother. Her name was Minnie—and boy, could Minnie cook.

With hands seasoned by experience and a heart full of grace, Minnie turned the simplest ingredients into soulful meals that warmed you from the inside out. She never turned anyone away. Whether you were a neighbor in need, a traveler passing through, or a child with nowhere else to go—her table always had room for one more.

And if you were truly lucky, you’d taste something from John—her husband, her partner, her other half. John was a character, fearless in spirit and always ready with a story, a laugh, and a skillet in hand. He wasn’t scared of much—shol’ not a pot or a pan. Together, Minnie and John weren’t just cooks—they were caretakers, healers, and joy-makers.

Out of their love for people and passion for food, a legacy was born.

Today, we honor that legacy through Minnie & John’s Kitchen & Cocktails—a place built not just on recipes, but on remembrance. Our restaurant celebrates modernized Southern classics, crafted with intention and heart, just like Minnie’s. We’re proud to spotlight small-batch and minority-owned distillers in our curated cocktail program, raising a glass to those who dare to create, just like John did.

This is more than a meal—it’s a homecoming.

It is our deepest wish to extend their table to you, and to all who walk through our doors. Thank you for being part of the next chapter in their story.

Welcome home.