In situations where there are adequate amounts of food, security, and housing, people usually maintain an instinctive conformity. Instinctive conformity transforms over time to become rationalized conformity, as people of similar minds agree to agree and compromise for the sake of armistice. In the world of online forums, this phenomenon is heightened because all interactions are concrete because they are written to be seen and later reviewed. Friendships are forged, alliances with and against others are made, and there is a formatted milieu where some things become acceptable and others unacceptable.

On this forum, we see it frequently. One example: north Louisiana people love Johnny's and believe it's the state's best pizza. South Louisiana people make fun of it and say it's an average conveyer belt pizza. The truth? I've not had it, but I bet it's between the two extremes that have formed as a result of both neighborhood and geographical bias and alliance conformity.

Here are ten restaurants I think that do not get their due on this forum. You are, as always, free to make your own list. But chances are, we'll just have complainers and Monday morning top ten listers.

10) East of Italy - Admittedly, even I forget about this place, but can you blame me? It's all the way out at the lake near the Lakefront Arena and there's really no reason to go over there. But in that early 1990s strip mall is a gem of an Italian restaurant with great sandwiches and good pizza. I am upset I didn't mention them in the 10 best sandwiches in the NOLA Metro thread.

9) Atchafalaya - Clancy's, Patois, Gautreau's, and Coquette get a lot of love for doing the Creole neighborhood bistro well, and they do. But Atchafalaya does a good job and is rarely mentioned.

8) Dish oh Hayne - Quite frankly, I don't know if I've ever read anyone mention it on this board. And it reminds me that I need to finish the Top 10 restaurants in NOLA listed by neighborhood threads. The shrimp and grits are the best in town.

7) Casa Garcia - El Gato Negro gets some love and Superior gets ridiculous (and IMO undeserved) attention. But Casa Garcia does Tex Mex far better than anyone in town and is very rarely mentioned.

6) Panchitas - Meanwhile, Kenner and Mid-City Latin upstarts are the talk of the forum, and for good reason in most cases, but lost in the talk is Panchitas, which is one of the best Mexican and Latin restaurants in New Orleans. I don't understand why it's not mentioned more often.

5) Munch Factory - Someone on the forum recommended me eat here several months ago. I did and immediately fell in love with it. The African American Creole bistro has never been done better.

4) Upperline - In the same situation as Atchafalaya. I went six months ago and thought it was fantastic. I wonder if it went through a rough period a few years ago and its reputation suffered as a result because, besides Tiger Attorney, I haven't noticed it mentioned here.

3) Shogun - While bad sushi restaurants like Ninja and overrated restaurants like Horinoya get a lot of the press here, Shogun continues to make the city's best sushi.

2) Castnet Seafood - I believe is was JasonL who alerted me to this place recently. I made a trip to the East just to eat here. Wow. It's every bit as good as the Kenner seafood joints and cheaper. Beastin in the east all I have to say about that.

1) Sal and Judy's - Has anyone ever mentioned this restaurant here? It is in a land far, far away. Nonetheless, it's among America's best Italian restaurants.

This post was edited on 2/17/12 at 11:43 am