JohnChiang wrote: >> I am going to New Orleans this week and I am wondering what food >> souvenirs I should bring back.... >> >> Any suggestions? > >Go to Central Grocery on Decatur St. and try their muffuletta sandwich. Bring >back a jar of their olive salad so that you can make these at home. > >If you want local produce, go to the Old Farmers Market (the nation's oldest) >in the French Market area. A fun place to wander around. John is correct on Central Grocery's muffaletta. Get the double meat version. Central serves these in the "authentic" manner, e.g., room temperature. Many places in the area insist on serving this classic sandwich hot -- it's not a bad thing, but it's not the best thing. The French Market is fun also. Too bad it's not strawberry season -- Louisiana strawberries are IMHO the best in the world. If you can manage it time-wise, a great thing to do is to stop at either Deanie's Seafood or Shaffer & Rusich (in Bucktown) on the way to the airport as you are leaving. Get a dozen or so boiled crabs packed to go. They will package them in an easy-to-check box. Make arrangements with friends at home to share this bounty as soon as possible upon arriving. Or eat them all by yourself. Deanie's crab salad is also to die for. Have a great time!
New Orleans, LA