Puts the grease in greasy-spoon
Maybe this sort of food just isn't my thing; I wasn't impressed by it on any of my visits. Burgers were overly large and, being cooked on a griddle, too greasy. Toasting the bun using butter adds an unpleasant flavor, and the lettuce wasn't wilted but certainly was not crisp.

These could be good hamburgers, were the butter left out of the process, the patties smaller and thinner, and the meat better drained of its fat.

One benefit does come to the food from being "old-fashioned": the milkshakes at Camellia aren't machine-extruded carageenan gum-based garbage. Ice cream, milk, and flavoring are it. They're meals in themselves, certainly not something I'd eat every day, but worthwhile.

The food aside, eating at Camellia, not unlike visiting a Japanese steakhouse, is like going to a show. The counter and cooking area are virtually spotless. Service, albeit somewhat hectic at peak hour, is utterly flawless, and the food is all cooked in plain sight by short-order cooks who are masters of the art. Despite the greasiness of the food it's worth visiting, even if only once.    [10 Mar 2003 19:46:11]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Milkshakes

     ­Ben Kalafut   bkalafu at tulane dot edu

The other reviewer doesn't know fresheness from grease. The burgers at The Grill are the best. The service is always great, and it is worth the wait for both the food and service.    [12 Mar 2004 14:01:46]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Burgers with grilled onions

     ­Michael Louis   

More than a tradition, a wonderful experience!
Shall we be frank? If you haven't eaten at the Camillia Grill, your New Orleans experience in sadly incomplete!

I've been to grills, fast food places, diners, and other similar restaurants, but I haven't found any other like
CG. The last time I was there I stood outside, in the rain with about 25 others and none of us would have gotten out of that line. Once inside, we were directed to the padded bench we were to sit in to wait for about another 25 minutes. Camillia Grill is not the place to go to if you're in a hurry.

Everyone sits on a stool at the counter. The servers are friendly, unflappable, funny, efficient, and anything else you would look for in a professional food server.

The food is dineresque raised to an exponention power, served with starched white cloth napkins and silverplate on heavy restaurant quality China. Breakfast is the best meal. The pecan waffles are wonderful, and you can watch the cook spread an enormous amount of pecan on the griddle before adding the batter. This brings out the pecan flavor better. The omelets are huge and fluffy with lots of filling. I like the turkey best. It's practically a Thanksgiving dinner by its self. (Alas, no dressing and cranberry sauce!) And it gives you lots to be thankful for.

Regardless of the meal, ask for an ice cream freeze. It's simple, but wonderful. The freezes are available without the ice cream, but that would be a tragedy.

You do have to go through the kitchen to get to the non-designer restroom, but that's the traditional Newawlins way.

Camillia Grinn is one of the defining elements of New Orleans, like Morning Call biegnets, which fled to the burbs decades ago.    [05 Oct 2006 17:12:25]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Pecan waffles, chocolate ice cream freeze, any omelet.

     ­chezdcajun