As the Crimson Tide travels to Louisiana to play LSU this weekend, many students and fans will follow. Some may stay in or stop by New Orleans since it is only an hour and a half away from Baton Rouge. If you’re stopping by the Crescent City, or if you make a trip down to escape the cold weather this winter, here’s a food guide detailing some of the best eats to get while in New Orleans.
The city is known for its food and the multitude of cultural influences in Cajun and Creole cuisine. It’s impossible to choose just one dish to represent the city, but let’s start with the po’boy. A po’boy is a French bread sandwich overflowing with meat, typically seafood or roast beef. For the best of both worlds, check out the Surf and Turf po’boy with fried shrimp and roast beef at Parkway Bakery and Tavern. Parkway is a New Orleans classic that has been open since the invention of the sandwich, and they have perfected it with a menu full of different options ranging from alligator to fried sweet potato, all dressed with lettuce, tomato, pickle and mayo.
For modern and creative takes on other classic Cajun dishes, Cochon is a powerhouse. This award-winning restaurant is one of the best dining experiences in New Orleans. It’s a bit on the pricey side for a student budget, but it is definitely worth the splurge. Start with their wood-fired oysters, seasoned with garlic and chili that will have you licking the shells for a lasting taste. There’s no wrong dish to order at Cochon, and you can have your pick of seafood with the warm stew-like catfish courtbouillon or land meat in the equally comforting rabbit and dumplings that will have you wishing you’d been eating rabbit for years. Luckily, if there’s no room in the budget for these pricey dishes, right next door is Cochon Butcher which is a more affordable, casual option serving up sandwiches and house-made meats, all at the same high-quality as the original Cochon restaurant.
As notable as these classic New Orleans dishes are, there is something special that comes with the immersion of cultures that affect a city’s cuisine. To witness the fusion of Creole and Latin flavors, Juan’s Flying Burrito is an obvious choice. Juan’s is definitely not a typical burrito joint. They offer an alternative twist with plenty of vegetarian options, and they are not afraid to experiment with flavors. The Al Pastor burrito exemplifies this by combining staples on any New Orleans menu like slow-cooked pork with flavors like pineapple salsa, jalapeños and cilantro. The hybrid of cultures is also evident in the Jerk Chicken burrito that has all the typical hallmarks of a good burrito like rice, cheese, avocado and salsa, but is filled with bold jerk seasoned chicken.
