Foods Only Louisiana Natives Know and Love - Arlen "Benny" Cenac Jr (2024)

Louisiana is known for its revelry andits food for good reason- it’s the best in the world. The uniquecombinations of spices, meats and other ingredients make Louisiana dishes someof the most flavorful and opulent ones you’ll ever taste. Some dishes havebecome favorites for the locals and can be expected at any Louisiana gettogether or dinner party. We have compiled a list of some Louisiana favoritesbut click here for a full list.Grab a napkin and get ready to explore Louisiana culture through yourstomach.

1. Beignets

This delicious deep fried Frenchdoughnut made New Orleans’ Café du Monde famous. Did you even really go to New Orleans if you didn’tcheck in to Cafe Du Monde? They are sprinkled with enough powdered sugarto satisfy anyone’s sugar craving. You can also find these delectable dessertsstuffed with a variety of sweet or savory ingredients like caramel or fruits.New Orleans even has a Beignet Festival (powdered sugar heaven!), held in December, that you won’t wantto miss.

2. Pralines

The gooey caramel cookie sprinkled withcaramelized pecans can be found in most corner markets in New Orleans and asthe years have passed, more and more flavors have been added to the classicrecipe. This sugary, buttery candy is made from butter, brown sugar and pecans,cooked in a kettle and dried on wax paper. French nuns brought these treats toNew Orleans in the 1700s.They are the perfect compliment to any gift basket orChristmas gift. The dentist may cringe at this sweet treat but your tastebuds certainly won’t!

3. Boudin

Vegetarians beware! This spicy sausageis filled with seasoned pork and rice and many locals slurp the stuffing out ofthe casing with one hand, while driving with the other. Boudin is served inlinks or in boudin balls, which are deep-fried cousins of the iconic Cajundelicacy. Boudin comes in many flavors and varieties depending on themeats and spices that are included. Earl’s Cajun Market in Lafayette serves up excellent boudin and plate lunches.Head to Scott, Louisiana which is the Boudin Capital of the World. Stop at Billy’s Boudin andCracklins or Don’s Specialty Meats. Boudin can also be found on many menus throughoutLouisiana.

4. King Cake

The sweet Danish pastry is a Mardi Grastradition and usually decorated in colored sugar of purple, green, and gold.Cakes can be plan sugar and cinnamon flavored or have a variety of stuffingslike cream cheese, blueberry or other fruit filling, even chocolate or pecan.The tradition is that whoever finds the baby, which is a tiny plasticreplica of a baby, has to buy the next King Cake. The only way to find the babyis to dig in! Bon appetit!

5. PoBoys

This is a submarine-type sandwich madewith French bread. Order it “dressed” if you like your po’boy with mayonnaise,lettuce, pickles and tomato. A Louisiana favorite comes with fried shrimpor fried oysters but you can get whatever meat you prefer inside. Try one atthe Oak Street Po-Boy Festival in New Orleans, held in November. Mother’s Restaurant, also in New Orleans, serves roast beef po’boys with a type ofgravy known as debris (pronounced day’-bree). Chris’ Po’boys in Lafayette is among the best restaurants in Cajun Countryto satisfy your po’boy cravings.

6. Crawfish Etouffee

This is a Creole dish of rice smotheredin a stew of roux, crawfish, herbs and vegetables. The roux (called a “blonde roux” for its lightercolor than the kind typically used in gumbo) is a mixture of butter and flour,mixed with celery, bell peppers and onion. In New Orleans, find crawfishétouffée at Bon Ton Café and Jacque-Imo’s. Outside the Crescent City you’ll find mouthwatering étouffée at The Chimes in Baton Rouge and at Boudreaux & Thibodaux’s in Houma.

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