Jazz Festival Food 2017

Written by Tom Fitzmorris April 25, 2017 13:01 in

The food scene this weekend is dominated by the Jazz Festival, where the eats are as good as the music, and in exactly the same way. In the past few years of the Jazz Festival, the food offerings seem to have reached a plateau. A few new vendors appear, but they fade into the familiar array. It’s a long time since anything alarmingly new and different has turned up. But isn’t this what we want from the Festival? It’s certainly true of us Baby Boomers, who were just reaching the age of majority at the time of the first JazzFest in 1970. It’s a ritual, with our strange kind of hippie nostalgia. Enough other things have changed in our lives without the Jazz Festival’s becoming unfamiliar, too. Here’s our annual list of all the food being served at the Jazz and Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds. I have annotated it with ratings on a scale from zero to three notes. Here's what they mean: [title type="h5"]MusicNoteRating1Recommended. Try it if the dish appeals to you. MusicNoteRating2Outstanding. Taste this even if if you wouldn't ordinarily do so. MusicNoteRating3Essential. Not to be missed. [/title] These are my own recommendations, based on past years. Your mileage may vary.[divider type=""] JazzFestivalEatGuide [title type="h5"]Burks and Douglas 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Red beans and rice, sausage MusicNoteRating2 Vegetarian red beans and rice MusicNoteRating2 Blackberry cobbler [title type="h5"]Cajun Nights Catering 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Alligator pie MusicNoteRating1 Crabmeat stuffed shrimp MusicNoteRating1 Fried green tomatoes [title type="h5"]Catering Unlimited 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Cajun jambalaya MusicNoteRating1 Fried chicken [title type="h5"]Crescent Catering 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Cajun duck po-boy MusicNoteRating2 Cajun shrimp & duck pasta [title type="h5"]Dimartino’s 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Muffuletta MusicNoteRating2 Vegetarian muffuletta MusicNoteRating1 Roast beef poor boy MusicNoteRating2 Turkey giardiniera salad [title type="h5"]Fireman Mike’s Kitchen 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Alligator sauce piquante MusicNoteRating3 Shrimp and grits MusicNoteRating2 Shrimp and okra gumbo [title type="h5"]Gallagher’s Grill 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Pecan catfish meunière MusicNoteRating2 Seafood mirliton casserole MusicNoteRating3 Fried crab cake, smoked tomato and jalapeño tartar [title type="h5"]Joyce’s Lemonade 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Lemonade MusicNoteRating2 Fruit salad [title type="h5"]Love at First Bite 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Cochon de lait po-boy [title type="h5"]Ms Linda’s 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating1 Ya ka mein MusicNoteRating1 Vegetarian ya ka mein MusicNoteRating2 Fried pork chop sandwich MusicNoteRating2 Bread pudding w/ rum sauce [title type="h5"]Panaroma Foods, Marksville 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Crawfish bread MusicNoteRating2 Shrimp bread MusicNoteRating2 Sausage and jalapeño bread [title type="h5"]Papa Ninety Catering 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Boudin MusicNoteRating2 Boudin balls MusicNoteRating2 Shrimp and lump crab ravigote MusicNoteRating3 Crawfish remoulade [title type="h5"]Patton's Caterers 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Crawfish Sack MusicNoteRating2 Oyster Patties MusicNoteRating2 Crawfish Beignets [title type="h5"]Sharon & Guilherme Wegner 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Louisiana crawfish poor boy MusicNoteRating2 Fried alligator poor boy MusicNoteRating1 Alligator, fried jalapeños and onions [title type="h5"]Smitty's Seafood Restaurant 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Boiled crawfish MusicNoteRating2 Louisiana crawfish etouffée MusicNoteRating1 Cajun crawfish rice Spicy boiled potatoes [title type="h5"]Squeal's Smoke Street Catering (New) 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 BBQ Brisket Sandwich MusicNoteRating2 BBQ Chicken Sandwich MusicNoteRating1 Smokey Bacon Greens [title type="h5"]Stuf Hapn Event Catering 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating1 Crabmeat poor boy MusicNoteRating1 Creole stuffed crab MusicNoteRating2 Catfish amandine MusicNoteRating1 Potato salad [title type="h5"]Ten Talents Catering 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Spinach artichoke casserole MusicNoteRating3 Seafood au gratin MusicNoteRating2 Sweet potato pone [title type="h5"]Vaucresson Sausage Co. 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Hot sausage po-boy MusicNoteRating2 Crawfish sausage po-boy MusicNoteRating2 Italian Chicken sausage poor boy (new) [title type="h5"]Vucinovich's Restaurant 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Fried shrimp poor boy MusicNoteRating3 Fried oyster poor boy MusicNoteRating2 Fried oyster spinach salad MusicNoteRating3 Pannéed chicken poor boy MusicNoteRating2 Stuffed artichoke [title type="h5"]Ajun Cajun Ninja 2 Food Area II[/title]MusicNoteRating1 Shrimp yakisoba (pan-fried noodles) MusicNoteRating2 Yakiniku poor boy (Japanese barbecue beef) MusicNoteRating1 Crabstick & cucumber salad MusicNoteRating2 Seaweed & cucumber salad [title type="h5"]Angelo Brocato’s 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Louisiana strawberry ice MusicNoteRating3 Lemon ice MusicNoteRating2 Specialty flavor gelato MusicNoteRating3 Spumoni MusicNoteRating3 Cannoli MusicNoteRating1 Fig and sesame cookies [title type="h5"]Canseco’s Markets 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Cuban sandwich [title type="h5"]Cottage Catering 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Crawfish strudel MusicNoteRating3 White chocolate bread pudding [title type="h5"]Creole's Lunch House 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating1 Creole's Stuffed Bread MusicNoteRating2 Sausage, Pepperoni & Mozzarella Stuffed Bread [title type="h5"]Fatty’s Cracklins, St. Francisville 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Cracklings MusicNoteRating2 Fried sweet potato chips [title type="h5"]Galley Seafood Restaurant 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Fried soft-shell crab poor boy MusicNoteRating2 Fried catfish filet poor boy [title type="h5"]Jamila's Café 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Tagine of lamb (lamb stew with basmati rice), MusicNoteRating3 Merguez (grilled lamb sausage) MusicNoteRating2 Crawfish, spinach and zucchini bisque MusicNoteRating2 *Tunisian salad [title type="h5"]Big River Foods 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Crawfish Monica [title type="h5"]Husing 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating1 Strawberry shortcake MusicNoteRating1 Key Lime Tart [title type="h5"]Mona's Café 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Gyros sandwich MusicNoteRating2 Falafel sandwich MusicNoteRating3 Hummus with pita MusicNoteRating1 Tabouli with pita MusicNoteRating1 Greek garden salad [title type="h5"]Mrs. Wheat's Foods 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Spicy Natchitoches meat pie MusicNoteRating2 Crawfish pie MusicNoteRating2 Broccoli and cheese pie [title type="h5"]New Orleans Coffee Company 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating1 Café au lait (hot, iced, or frozen) MusicNoteRating1 Black coffee (hot or iced) [title type="h5"]Praline Connection 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Grilled chicken livers with pepper jelly MusicNoteRating2 Crowder peas and okra MusicNoteRating2 Collard greens MusicNoteRating2 Crispy wings MusicNoteRating1 Fried okra [title type="h5"]Prejean's, Lafayette, LA 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Pheasant, quail and andouille gumbo, MusicNoteRating2 Crab and crawfish stuffed mushrooms MusicNoteRating2 Crawfish enchilada [title type="h5"]Taqueria Corona 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Fried fish taco MusicNoteRating1 Shrimp taco MusicNoteRating2 Chicken taco [title type="h5"]Wally Taillon, Gonzales 1 Food Area I[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Jambalaya [title type="h5"]AJ’s Sno-balls Congo Square[/title]MusicNoteRating1 Sno-balls MusicNoteRating2 Ice cream stuffed sno-ball [title type="h5"]Bennachin Restaurant Congo Square[/title]MusicNoteRating1 Jama-jama (sautéed spinach) MusicNoteRating2 Fried plaintains MusicNoteRating2 Poulet fricassee (chicken on a stick) [title type="h5"]Gambian Foods 3 Congo Square[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Dibbi (grilled steak on pita) MusicNoteRating1 Spicy grilled tofu & veggies, peanut sauce MusicNoteRating1 Couscous with yogurt sauce [title type="h5"]Marie's Sugar Dumplings Congo Square[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Sweet Potato Turnover MusicNoteRating2 Pecan Pie MusicNoteRating2 Sweet Potato Pie MusicNoteRating2 Banana Nut Bread MusicNoteRating2 Bacon Pecan Square [title type="h5"]Palmer's Jamaican Cuisine Congo Square[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Jamaican chicken MusicNoteRating3 Caribbean fish MusicNoteRating2 Curry chicken patty MusicNoteRating1 Steamed vegetables [title type="h5"]Ba Mien Vietnamese Cuisine 4 Heritage Square[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Goi cuon (spring roll) MusicNoteRating3 Bun (vermicelli with shrimp or beef) MusicNoteRating2 Cha gio (vietnamese egg roll) [title type="h5"]Baquet's Li'l Dizzy's Cafe 4 Heritage Square[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Crawfish bisque MusicNoteRating2 Creole filé gumbo MusicNoteRating2 Trout Baquet [title type="h5"]Café du Monde 4 Heritage Square[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Beignets MusicNoteRating2 Café au lait (hot, iced, or frozen) Milk Chocolate milk [title type="h5"]Down Home Creole Cookin' 4 Heritage Square[/title]MusicNoteRating2 BBQ pork ribs MusicNoteRating2 BBQ turkey wings MusicNoteRating1 Meaty white beans MusicNoteRating1 Cole slaw MusicNoteRating3 Peach cobbler [title type="h5"]La Divina Gelateria 4 Heritage Square[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Old fashioned hand made ice cream sandwiches MusicNoteRating2 Creme brulee MusicNoteRating2 Artisan gelato and sorbetto MusicNoteRating2 Chocolate Azteca [title type="h5"]Minnie Pearl Pies and Pastries 4 Heritage Square[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Creole cream cheese cake with strawberries MusicNoteRating2 Lemon meringue pie MusicNoteRating1 Pearl pies and pastries [title type="h5"]Angelo's Bakery 9 Around The Grounds[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Coconut macaroon MusicNoteRating1 Brownie with pecans MusicNoteRating2 Cream puffs MusicNoteRating2 Chocolate éclair [title type="h5"]Gallo & Marks 9 Around The Grounds[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Strawberry smoothie MusicNoteRating2 Chocolate dipped strawberries [title type="h5"]Jumbo Peanut Company 9 Around The Grounds[/title]MusicNoteRating1 Fresh roasted jumbo peanuts MusicNoteRating2 Glazed pecans [title type="h5"]Loretta's Authentic Pralines 9 Around The Grounds[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Pralines: assorted flavors MusicNoteRating2 Praline pecan and sweet potato cookies MusicNoteRating2 Praline shoe soles MusicNoteRating2 Lump crab stuffed beignet MusicNoteRating1 Praline stuffed beignet (new) [title type="h5"]Lucky Dogs 9 Around The Grounds[/title]MusicNoteRating1 Jumbo Lucky Dog [title type="h5"]Mr. Williams’ Pastries 9 Around The Grounds[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Pies: Apple, Cherry, Coconut, Pecan, Sweet potato, Bean custard [title type="h5"]Plum Street Sno-balls 9 Around The Grounds[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Sno-balls [title type="h5"]Roman Chewing Candy 9 Around The Grounds[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Roman Chewing Candy Company [title type="h5"]Sunshine Concessions 9 Around The Grounds[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Rosemint iced tea MusicNoteRating3 Mandarin orange iced tea MusicNoteRating1 Regular iced tea [title type="h5"]WWOZ Radio 9 Around The Grounds[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Mango Freeze [title type="h5"]United Houma Nation, Golden Meadow 9 Around The Grounds[/title]MusicNoteRating2 Fry bread MusicNoteRating2 Smoked sausage macque choux MusicNoteRating2 Creamy shrimp macque choux MusicNoteRating1 Indian tacos [title type="h5"]J and M Seafood 6 Grandstand[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Freshly shucked oysters on the half shell MusicNoteRating2 Louisiana crawfish salad roll [title type="h5"]Joyce’s Lemonade 7 Kids' Food[/title]MusicNoteRating3 Lemonade MusicNoteRating2 Fruit salad Grilled Cheese Sandwich Crispy rice treats Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich [title type="h5"]Miss Linda’s Catering 7 Kids' Food[/title]MusicNoteRating1 Baked macaroni and cheese MusicNoteRating1 Huckabuck frozen cups MusicNoteRating1 Sloppy Jeaux Sandwich (new) [title type="h5"]Congreso Cubano 8 Cultural Exchange Pavillion[/title] Ropa Vieja (Braised Steak) *Frijoles Negros (Black Beans & Rice Tostones (Fried Green Plantains) Paleta de Café con Leche (Coffee Ice Pop)