Central Grocery Company

I never knew what a muffuletta could be (or was exactly, for that matter). This Italian grocery knows how to make a sandwich. A whole round of bread, crammed with salami, provolone, olives and other marinated goodies, makes a beautiful oily mess. Wash it down (I dare you to eat more than half) with Barq's in a bottle for a gratifying experience. (2/23/02)

I've never tried a muffaletta anywhere else but here, so it's not as if I have a broad range of experience to compare with. But I like to believe this is the quintessential version. I'm not even sure why it's a New Orleans specialty, there's nothing particularly Cajun about it. In fact, the massive sandwich would be right at home in my own heavily Italian-American neighborhood, Carroll Gardens. Around these parts, they make some fine oily, meaty, cheesy sandwiches, alright, but it's the olive salad that really adds something. Or maybe its the bread. Or the swampy air? There's just something about a muffaletta. (7/13/04)

CentralGrocery Company * 923 Decatur St., New Orleans,LA