LA 31 Food & Travel Awards
CAN’T-MISS BITES
1 LA BON BOUCON
MAUDLINS
Vacherie
At his meat shop located on Louisiana’s German Coast, an area known for its sausage-making traditions, Lester Folse showcases regional specialties such as boudin noir, boudin made without rice, and maudlin, a product that is unique to Vacherie. He describes maudlin as a larger version of andouille, similar to a processed ham. According to Lester, maudlins were made during the holidays for folks who couldn’t afford hams. At La Bon Boucon, he sells whole and pre-sliced, vacuum-packed maudlins. 985.414.4410
2 MIDDENDORF’S
THIN FRIED CATFISH
Manchac
Diners travel from far and wide to get a taste of the impossibly thin fried catfish for which Middendorf’s has become famous. Opened in 1934 by Louis and Josie Middendorf, this 86-year-old institution is located in the tiny fishing village of Manchac. Current owners Horst and Karen Pfeifer took over in 2007 and opened a second location in 2019 in Slidell. The menu is filled with seafood delicacies, but first-time visitors must try the catfish, served with french fries, coleslaw, and hush puppies. middendorfsrestaurant.com
3 MS. LINDA’S CATERING
YA-KA-MEIN
New Orleans
Ya-ka-mein, a beef noodle soup also known as Old Sober, is a staple at second lines, festivals, and corner stores in New Orleans. The popular street food is typically made with beef, hard-cooked eggs, green onions, and noodles in a spicy, meaty broth. Linda Green’s ya-ka-mein—based on an old family recipe—is beloved for its old-school flavor. Known as the Ya-Ka-Mein Lady, Linda is a fixture at second lines and festivals, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. neworleanssoulfood.com
4 CENTRAL GROCERY
MUFFULETTA
New Orleans
No visit to the Big Easy would be complete without stopping in at Central Grocery for one of their famous muffulettas. The iconic sandwich, said to have been invented at this French Quarter specialty market in the early 1900s, is served on a seeded round loaf stacked with Genoa salami, ham, mortadella, Swiss, provolone, and Central Grocery’s own olive salad. Sold by the half and the whole, their
