In the heart of New Orleans East, a vibrant red storefront at 5941 Bullard Ave. has become a beacon for Creole cuisine lovers. Orleans Brothers, a restaurant helmed by husband-and-wife duo Terrence and Krystal Carroll, has quickly garnered acclaim for its flavorful dishes and warm community presence. Their gumbo, crawfish pies, and other Creole favorites have solidified their place as one of the best Creole restaurants in "The Big Easy."
A Love Story with Deep Roots
Terrence and Krystal’s journey began at Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School in Hollygrove, where they first crossed paths. While their childhood friendship eventually grew into love, it wasn’t until their twenties that they started dating.
“She was the smartest one in school,” Terrence recalls. “I was the one always being sent to the principal’s office.”
Krystal, now his wife and business partner, laughs at the memory: “I didn’t really see anything in him until we were older.”
The couple, now proud parents of two sons, shared a love for cooking. Holidays were often celebrated with family over their signature seafood gumbo and crawfish pies.
Turning Passion into Purpose
In 2018, a trip to New York City for their fifth wedding anniversary became a turning point. “After seeing that city, we realized that we weren’t really living,” Krystal explains. Inspired to take a leap, they left their steady jobs—Krystal in financial management and Terrence as a river barge surveyor—and moved to Houston.
There, they began selling Krystal’s homemade crawfish pies. Rising early each morning, Krystal would bake while Terrence hit the streets to sell. “Sometimes we’d make $400 in 30 minutes,” Terrence says. The success of their side hustle sparked a dream of owning a restaurant.
Building Orleans Brothers
The Carrolls returned to New Orleans in early 2020, just before the pandemic. Undeterred by challenges, they expanded their offerings to include family-sized pies and pralines, delivering them across the city. Their efforts gained a loyal following, paving the way for their brick-and-mortar location.
The space at Bullard Avenue became theirs after a serendipitous video pitch to the building’s owner, Jesseca "Judy" Harris-Dupart, founder of Kaleidoscope Hair Products. Orleans Brothers officially opened in early 2022 as a take-out-only establishment.
A Menu that Speaks of Home
The menu at Orleans Brothers is a tribute to Creole flavors and family recipes. Their famous crawfish pies, made with a blend of crawfish tails, onions, bell peppers, celery, breadcrumbs, and garlic, come in three sizes. Other highlights include seafood gumbo, beef yaka-mein, crawfish-stuffed baked potatoes, and pecan pralines in unique flavors like wedding cake.
Gaining Star Power
Word of Orleans Brothers’ culinary delights has spread, even reaching the ears of New Orleans rap icon Birdman, who visited the restaurant twice with an entourage. “He put us on his social media,” Krystal says, beaming with pride. “I couldn’t even sleep that night, I was so excited.”
What’s Next for Orleans Brothers?
The Carrolls’ inspiring story is a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and community support. Their upcoming Nolazine Special Interview with What’s Yo Story promises to give fans an even closer look at their journey.
For those eager to taste their creations, Orleans Brothers is more than just a restaurant—it’s a celebration of Creole culture and the resilience of its people. Follow their journey on Instagram @orleansbrothers1 and discover why this husband-and-wife team is making waves in New Orleans' vibrant food scene.
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