The Who Dat Coffee Café (WDCC) is a stylish yet quaint coffee shop in the Faubourg Marigny, an historic neighborhood that lies just beyond the French Quarter down river of Esplanade Ave.  In the three months since the café has opened, it has quickly become one of my favorites.  The coffee, teas, and foods are all good, but it’s the café’s atmosphere that makes me swoon.

The café’s interior design, rich in color and texture, is smart, cozy, visually appealing, and sophisticated, all at the same time.  (Such an effect is not easily achieved.)

Walking through the front door on the corner of Burgundy and Mandeville Streets, you will find in the main room several tables punctuated by aqua-colored chairs.  Directly ahead on the right is the counter which is always replete with muffins, cupcakes (red velvet is my favorite), and other goodies.  On the left, across from the counter, is an attractive baker’s rack that features more goodies (like croissants) as well as works by local artists.

Beyond the counter and baker’s rack is another room, this one designed more like a dapper living room.  Furnished with leather chairs and decorated with fine works of art, this is the living room that I wish I had at home.

A doorway from the “living room” leads out to a well-tended garden/patio seating area where you can enjoy your refreshments serenely.  On the sidewalk outside of the café, red umbrella tables are lined up in the shade of Bradford Pear trees.

When I walk into the café, I always feel as if I’m coming home and that my friends and family are there waiting for me.  If you want to mingle with the locals and you like café culture, then you must visit the Who Dat Coffee Café.

I recently spoke with owner Craig J. Nero about WDCC, its mission and what he sees as its future in the community.

1.  How long has the WDCC been open?  How long have you been in the business?

We purchased the business on Feb 25, 2010 and opened for business on March 5, 2010.

2.  Who Dat Coffee Café is an odd name.  Where did it come from?

We decided to buy the coffee shop on Super Bowl Sunday when the Saints won the Super Bowl, hence the name.

3.  What is your mission for the café?

To provide awesome customer service & the best coffee and baked goods, each and every time.

4.  What’s on the menu?  Do you have any specialties?

In addition to Mighty Leaf teas and New Orleans Coffee Roasters, we offer espresso drinks, Italian sodas, hot chocolate, soft drinks, juices, and bottled water.  We also sell coffee by the pound.  A variety of gourmet muffins and cupcakes is available as are breakfast biscuits, bagels, croissants, cookies, and other baked goods.  For lunch, homemade chicken salad and tuna salad are always on the menu. (Editor’s note:  The tuna salad is supreme!) Fresh fruit is always available. And in just a week, we will be serving unbelievably delicious frozen coffee drinks.

5.  I  like the crowd at WDCC.  It’s diverse.  How would you describe it?

Best way to describe the clientele is by saying that they are die hards.  We have some extremely dedicated customers, old & young, creative & opinionated.  We are now and will be a strong part of our community for years to come.

6.  Does the cafe have any special features?

We offer free wi-fi services to customers.  We have artwork and gift items all made by local artists for sale. (See below for details.) Our poetry night is every other Saturday.  We also have a community bulletin board where artists, yoga studios, and other businesses post announcements of their products and services.  We also have mailboxes for rent, and we sell stamps.  We are a cash-only operation, so an ATM is available for guests’ convenience.  The café is handicap accessible and pet friendly too.  Smoking is permitted in the outside area.  We welcome everyone!

7.    Thanks for speaking with me.

Thank you.

Practical Info: WDCC is located at 2401 Burgundy St.  From the French Quarter, cross Esplanade Ave. and Elysian Fields on Burgundy.  You will find the WDCC a few blocks down on the left.  The café is open 7:00 a. m. ‘til 10:00 p. m. daily, including Sundays.  You can reach the WDCC at 504-872-0360.