MayPOP + MoPho calling it quits

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A pair of related restaurants that each created unique niches in the New Orleans dining scene are both about to close.

MoPho, a fixture of the Mid-City restaurant circuit for nearly a dozen years, and its more upscale downtown counterpart Maypop have both set May 4 as their last day.

A dramatic calamity and the perennial challenges of slow New Orleans summers each play a part in their demise, explained chef and cofounder Michael Gulotta.

Maypop is directly across the street from a historic building that partially collapsed in December, which caused an evacuation of its dining room during dinner service. While the street outside was reopened to traffic a few days later, the block today remains partially obscured by safety barriers.

“That’s been the nail in the coffin,” said Gulotta, who had earlier said that Maypop was vulnerable if the collapse impacted business long term.
Two restaurants, one date

Walk-in business has evaporated in the months since and the hope for a business boost from the Super Bowl in February did not materialize, said Jeff Bybee, the chef’s business partner.

While the MoPho menu is anchored by pho, it has always served composed and original dishes, melding Southeast Asian staples with modern American culinary style at mid-range prices.

First opened in 2014, it weathered many challenges, including the prolonged reconstruction of a key nearby intersection to create a new streetcar stop. But through the pandemic, the partners say MoPho’s business never fully rebounded.

“Last year was our slowest year and this year is on track to be slower; we looked at the summer coming up and realized you couldn’t do it,” said Gulotta.

Gulotta and Bybee continue to run TANA, the upscale Italian restaurant they developed with partners as a separate project in Old Metairie.

loved them both, mopho especially
sad news

Bummed. Maypop was great.

Dude seems to be enjoying the successes of Tana huh

This is not good.

This is a product of a city in decline. Jeff and Mikey are great people and did everything the right way. Really sucks for them.

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This is a product of a city in decline.

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Actually, it’s not. They had been talking about shutting these down since Covid. They also goofed up by shutting down for Covid - though can’t blame them, hindsight is always 20/20.

Bummed about the closures though. Maypop was on my list. Wife and I always enjoyed MoPho even if it was a bit overpriced. Food was good and interesting.

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I heard they’re struggling too

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Every time I think of looking a Tana its booked

Really overpriced restaurant though

Sad. Been to both places multiple times. Always a good meal.

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Use the reader on your phone

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NOLA is on to that.