The story
Tucked away on Orleans Avenue, John and Mary Food Store is the kind of neighborhood grocery that rewards those in the know. A family-run corner store with a casual, no-reservations vibe, it has earned a loyal following for its unpretentious takeout and friendly service—earning a solid 4.3-star rating from patrons.
The real draw here is the yakamein, a New Orleans fusion staple that creator Mark Wiens called “the best I’ve ever had.” In his video, he described the dish as both “healing and delicious,” praising the incredibly friendly service that makes this humble hole-in-the-wall feel like home. For a taste of Vietnamese-inflected Creole comfort, this is essential.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2026.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 1 dish mentions say about the food
At John and Mary Food Store, the yakamein is the unanimous standout, a soulful bowl of broth and noodles that earns raves. The overall vibe is warm and unpretentious, celebrating simple, deeply satisfying comfort food.
“This yakamein is phenomenal. The broth is like a warm goodness bath that coats and massages your throat going down — it tastes like every protein you can imagine infused into that liquid, plus Creole seasoning, pepperiness, and a little spice that creeps up on you. The spaghetti noodles are not mushy yet soft, and they've absorbed all that broth to their full potential, so every time you bite down on one it releases that broth into your mouth. The chicken cutlet is incredible — a grilled chicken thigh with great texture. The beef is salted to perfection, the pork is wonderful with that marinade and pepperiness. The hard-boiled egg soaks up all that broth too. This is what I needed anytime I was sick as a kid — forget chicken noodle soup, bring me some yakamein. It's guaranteed to have healing properties.”
What creators say
1 creator has covered John and Mary Food Store. Most active: Mark Wiens
A family-run corner store with incredibly friendly service and the best yakamein I've ever had — a true New Orleans fusion dish that's healing and delicious.
Dishes mentioned
Yakamein
This yakamein is phenomenal. The broth is like a warm goodness bath that coats and massages your throat going down — it tastes like every protein you can imagine infused into that liquid, plus Creole seasoning, pepperiness, and a little spice that creeps up on you. The spaghetti noodles are not mushy yet soft, and they've absorbed all that broth to their full potential, so every time you bite down on one it releases that broth into your mouth. The chicken cutlet is incredible — a grilled chicken thigh with great texture. The beef is salted to perfection, the pork is wonderful with that marinade and pepperiness. The hard-boiled egg soaks up all that broth too. This is what I needed anytime I was sick as a kid — forget chicken noodle soup, bring me some yakamein. It's guaranteed to have healing properties.
