New Orleans don't miss restaurants?

I need some help. A group of 8 friends is heading down to New Orleans for the SEC tournament to follow our beloved Wildcats in a few weeks (sorry UL fans) Can you guys give me a list of "don't miss" restaurants that we need to visit? I am not necessarily concerned about 4 or 5 star locales, but some of the "off the beaten path" eateries that offer really good food for a reasonable price.

Thanks in advance for everyone's input.

Felix's http://felixs2012.point2pointdesign.com/

Not exactly off the beaten path, but for a restaurant in the Quarter, not exactly a tourist trap either. They have very nice seafood gumbo and super fresh oysters. The horseradish is the most intense I have experienced.

IMHO, much better that the overpriced Acme across the street.
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El Gato Negro http://elgatonegronola.com/

I know, one doesn't usually think of Mexican when going to NOLA. But damn! With the house-made soft corn tortillas and "dry rubbed grouper" they have the best fish tacos that I have ever tasted! Also, the crawfish stuffed poblano pepper is life-changing.
(I went to the Harrison Ave location and it was indeed off the beaten path. However, I am sure the Quarter's location is as good)

Having grown up at the Acme for 30 years before moving to Louisville 30 years ago, I will always choose Acme over Felix.
On the other hand, some choices are the Upperline. It's on Upperline just off St Charles(streetcar accessible from quarter).
Jacques IMO on Oak is uptown and definitely different and good. If you go to Metairie try the chargrilled oysters at Dragos
We had a great meal at Auguste a John Besch restaurant downtown. My next visit will be to Couchon in the warehouse district. You should not miss Po Boy at Mothers on Poydras for lunch.
My all time favorite definitely off the beaten path is Liuzza by the Track(Fairgrounds). Great gumbo and a Po Boy stuffed with BBQ shrimp(better than Manales)
Have a great time.

My next visit will be to Couchon in the warehouse district

We were in New Orleans a couple weekends ago. Cochon should be on everyone's list. We sat at the food bar and I highly recommend that experience.

For an old school NO experience I would suggest Antoine's and ask to have Chuck as your server when making reservations. It felt like there many more locals in the place than tourists. Members of a Krewe were having a reception and dinner the evening that we were there.

Jack Dempsey's (in Bywater) for piles of fried seafood.
http://jackdempseysllc.com/

Go around the corner and shake your tail feather at an unparalleled music show in the glorious shack that is Vaughan's. You might just get some of Kermit Ruffins' BBQ.

Coop's on Decatur.
http://www.coopsplace.net/

Since you say you're not going for the 4-5 star places, I won't insist that you go to Bayona. I will never go to NOLA without pilgrimaging to Bayona.
http://www.bayona.com/

This site is a good resource for New Orleans restaurants:

http://www.nomenu.com

Someone from the audience asked Bourdain and Ripert where to eat in NOLA and one of the restaurants they recommended was Couchon. I can't remember the others.

I had one of the best meals I've ever eaten at Patois. It's a bit out of the way, but well worth the cab ride. It's on the west side of town, near the zoo. Delicious. Small place so make a reservation. http://patoisnola.com/

I just saw this article and it may give you some ideas: http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/17/travel/destination-usa-new-orleans-food/index.html?hpt=hp_bn7

There is a lot of great food in the Quarter, but even better food the locals eat if you are willing to travel a bit:

I will second the Jacques-Imo's recommendation. Before he passed away, Austin Leslie worked there post-Katrina. Great Creole soul food in a casual atmosphere. Awesome alligator cheesecake.

For po-boy's I recommend Domilise's if you want to get down and dirty. I like Mother's but Domilise's is on another level.

I have never been to Cochon as my only trips to NOLA have been with my kids in tow, but I have a friend who travels there regularly and always brings me sausage from Link's butcher shop. I would recommend it based on what I've had of their food second hand alone.

Even fairly tourist-y spots have a high level of food and service, so it's pretty hard to go wrong down there. I will also say I have a soft spot for K-Paul's. Prudhomme's star is not as prominent as many more contemporary NOLA chefs, but I have never had a meal there that was less than excellent by any standards, and when I took my whole family there they were more than accommodating though they aren't really a bring-the-kids kind of place.

The American Sector in the WWII museum is to die for. John Besh is a genius.

I'll second Coop's Place on Decatur and Jacque-Imo's.

Always a soft spot in my heart for Acme.

And don't leave without a muffuletta from Central Grocery.

Dear Bryan, I know a place in Nola that could change your life.... but I can't divulge the details. Back in '87 we ate there three nights in a row. The fish... well the fish is just ordinary. But in the back room there's a voodoo queen that can make you some Jimson Weed extract or a gris gris to cast a powerful spell on your enemies. We used it on UNLV and Syracuse and my beloved Hoosiers won the national championship that weekend. Really powerful stuff I tell ya. But see'n as you're a Cats fan, well I guess it just wouldn't be right for me to tell you where it is.

I was born and grew up in the NOLA area -- these are places that I've eaten at for many many years and always try to go back to when we visit. The high end restaurants are, of course, great, but these places have real food at reasonable prices.

Pascal's Manale Restaurant - the best and original BBQ shrimp, a fine oyster bar, overall outstanding.

Domilise's Po-Boys - blue-collar neighborhood near the working wharves - authentic po-boys that the locals buy

Middendorf’s in Manchac - classic catfish place worth the drive

Central Grocery - muffaleta sandwiches in the French Quarter

Acme Oyster House - can't miss seafood.

Camellia Grill - ride the streetcar, see the Uptown area along St. Charles Ave., and have lunch at a classic spot - omelets, burgers, chili-cheese fries, and chocolate freezes

Cafe Du Monde - the classic way to start or end the day with afe au lait and beignets

Dear Bryan, I know a place in Nola that could change your life.... but I can't divulge the details. Back in '87 we ate there three nights in a row. The fish... well the fish is just ordinary. But in the back room there's a voodoo queen that can make you some Jimson Weed extract or a gris gris to cast a powerful spell on your enemies. We used it on UNLV and Syracuse and my beloved Hoosiers won the national championship that weekend. Really powerful stuff I tell ya. But see'n as you're a Cats fan, well I guess it just wouldn't be right for me to tell you where it is.

One can only hope that these Cats will have another chance to upset those super powerful Hoosiers, with the ghost of Bobby Knight watching closely in the nigh...Everyone could use a little help from the voodoo queen

Thanks for all of the recommendations.....we are looking forward to a great time and even better memories!!