A Mid-City favorite since 1984—built on good food, family, and the kind of hospitality that keeps people coming back for decades.
The Katie’s Story
What started as a neighborhood lunch spot quickly became a cornerstone of the community.
Founded by Mr. Leo Leininger and named after his mother, Katie’s opened during the oil bust as a leap of faith and a new beginning. After Mr. Leo’s passing in 1987, his family carried on the restaurant’s vision until selling it to the Craig family in 1994.
Chef Scot Craig, a New Orleans native with over 20 years in the service industry at the time, took the helm with help from his brother David and his beloved mother Mary—known to customers as “The Hostess with the Mostess.” Together, they transformed Katie’s into the full-service neighborhood gem it is today.
Then came Hurricane Katrina. The storm brought seven feet of water through the restaurant, and looters took what the flood didn’t.
With little insurance and a long road ahead, Scot rebuilt—brick by brick—reopening Katie’s in 2010 with a modern kitchen, full bar, and the same commitment to great food and community that has always defined the space.
Today, Scot is still running the kitchen, and when he’s not in school, his son Conner can be found helping out wherever needed—continuing the family tradition.
Katie’s is a place where regulars become friends, tourists feel like locals, and everyone leaves full.
Thanks for dining with us. Welcome to the Katie’s family.
