Eat an Original Muffuletta at Central Grocery

This is, in our estimation, one in a list of thirty marvelous places, flavors, events, and experiences that anyone who lives in—or loves—our part of the world should experience at least once in his or her lifetime.

“Never, ever, leave New Orleans without an original muffuletta from Central Grocery,” advised passionate Louisiana food advocate Poppy Tooker. “You’ll be the envy of everyone on the plane!” In these post-pretzel days of American air travel, she might be right. But you don’t need to be leaving the state to appreciate the appeal of Central Grocery’s iconic sandwich invented to feed the Sicilian truck farmers who sold their produce at the French Market across Decatur Street. The muffuletta bread piled high with mortadella, Genoa salami, ham, mozzarella, provolone, and olive salad tastes just as good in the car on the way back to Bunkie, Bay St. Louis, Broussard, or Baton Rouge.

Central Grocery, 923 Decatur Street, New Orleans, La. (504) 523-1620 or centralgroceryneworleans.com.