John Besh, Aarón Sánchez Open Johnny Sánchez In New Orleans

Johnny Sánchez, the restaurant collaboration between chefs and longtime friends John Besh and Aarón Sánchez, has opened in New Orleans at 930 Poydras Street. The first location of Johnny Sánchez opened earlier this year in August at the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore.

The chefs met in New Orleans when Sánchez was working for renowned chef Paul Prudhomme, and the "spirited taqueria" is a collaborative homage to their cooking styles, combining contemporary Mexican cuisine with local ingredients from New Orleans.

"We are both so excited about bringing Aarón's culture and culinary background into play with the best ingredients in New Orleans," said chef Besh, winner of the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2006.

"Aarón and I love to cook together and we can't wait to share this with the community."

Menu items at the newly opened Johnny Sánchez include Mangalitsa pork belly carnitas tacos, beer-battered gulf snapper tacos, tostadas topped with blue crab, squash blossom quesadillas, and others. Dessert items, from executive pastry chef Kelly Fields, include a riff on the classic Choco Taco called the Taco Choco, steamed masa cake, and the Farmer's Cheesecake.

"Ever since I first worked there, I have loved New Orleans; the food, the music, the spirit of the people and the passion that the city evokes," said Aarón. "To us, the time is right for this kind of restaurant in New Orleans. People are excited about Mexican food and these vibrant flavors."

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Karen Lo is an associate editor at The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @appleplexy.