Thelma's Bar-B-Que

Maybe fame and fortune have caused Thelma to cut corners at her new location in the Third Ward (her original location, hugging the eastern edge of downtown, burned down). The barbecue isn't the same as it used to be. The sauce has the thick texture of a commercial variety, and the brisket is strangely firm, lacking the telltale pink ribbon on the outer perimeter indicating hours in the smoky pit. Nevertheless, the place packs 'em in. Along with brisket, you'll find sausage, pork chops and fish. Homemade sides include yams, okra, cabbage, dirty rice, coleslaw, baked beans and potato salad.