Mandina’s Restaurant, with its distinctive pink facade on Canal Street, is a New Orleans landmark that often sparks curiosity. Many visitors wonder if this iconic building began as a family home. The answer lies in the rich history of the Mandina family and their enduring presence in the city’s culinary scene.
In 1898, Sebastian Mandina, an immigrant from Sicily, established his roots in New Orleans. He purchased a property at the corner of Canal and Cortez Streets, transforming the ground floor into a bar and grocery store. Like many entrepreneurs of the era, Sebastian and his wife, Frances, made the upper floors their family residence. It was within these walls that their sons, Anthony and Frank, were born, growing up immersed in the bustling atmosphere of the family business below.
As times changed in the 1930s, so did Mandina’s. The grocery store evolved into a more casual eatery, featuring a sandwich shop, oyster bar, and even a pool hall. After Sebastian Mandina’s passing in 1933, his sons, Anthony and Frank, stepped in to manage the family legacy. During World War II, while the brothers served overseas, Anthony’s wife, Hilda, took the reins, ensuring the business continued to thrive. Her contribution is still honored on the menu today with the “Miss Hilda Salad,” a testament to her dedication.
The post-war era marked another significant transformation. Upon Anthony and Frank’s return, Mandina’s expanded into a full-service restaurant and bar, cementing its place as a dining destination. Frank Mandina, in a 1979 interview with The Times-Picayune, recounted, “Anthony ran the kitchen, I ran the bar and gradually the place and the menu both began to grow.” This growth led to Mandina’s renowned reputation for fried seafood and flavorful Creole and Italian dishes.
The family tradition continued with Anthony’s son, Tommy Mandina, who literally grew up above the restaurant and started working there in his childhood. In 1975, Tommy took ownership, further solidifying the family’s commitment. The 1990s saw physical expansion as Mandina’s incorporated a neighboring barbershop, briefly extending its reach to a second location on Conti Street in the French Quarter.
The resilience of Mandina’s was tested in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina inflicted severe damage on the Mid-City building. Cindy Mandina, Tommy’s daughter and the fourth generation to be involved, had recently taken over day-to-day operations. She spearheaded the renovations, ensuring Mandina’s reopened in February 2007, revitalized and ready to welcome back patrons. Cindy also oversaw expansions to Baton Rouge and Mandeville, though the Baton Rouge location has since closed. It’s important to note that Mandina’s on Canal Street is distinct from Tony Mandina’s Restaurant in Gretna, which opened in 1982 and is not affiliated with the original family business.
Mandina’s Canal Street stands not just as a restaurant, but as a living testament to New Orleans history and the enduring spirit of a family dedicated to sharing their culinary traditions.
