These are the best hidden gem dishes to try at Jazz Fest, top NOLA food critic says
Some dishes rock the Jazz Fest food world like main stage headliners, like Lizzo did on Friday. Others are more like that delightful, lesser-known act that got the nod for the Lagniappe stage and turned into your own fest highlight.
Consider these when you want something a little different, or don’t want to wade into the cochon de lait po-boy line.
Crawfish strudel
Where: Food Area 2
If you’re jonesing for crawfish bread (no longer at the fest after its vendor bowed out this year), this can punch some of the same buttons. Crawfish tails with trinity and green onions in a lightly creamy, flavorful sauce — it sounds like a Louisiana stew to slurp up with a spoon. Instead, this Jazz Fest creation from Cottage Catering is encased in delicate sheets of phyllo dough, making it an easily portable snack with a rich flavor.
Yakiniku po-boy
Where: Food Area 2
This Japanese style po-boy is like a marriage of a banh mi and a cheesesteak. The bits and strands of meat give a delicious jus, cucumber and carrots add crunch and an (optional) overlay of chunky garlic chile sauce brings the heat. The Vietnamese-style French loaf holds it all together and completes this multicultural mash up.
Cajun crawfish rice
Where: Food Area 1
This is like something ya mom-en-em make after a boil. It was actually the last dish I tried last year on the way towards the gates closing out the last day of Jazz Fest (on a hot tip from chef Alon Shaya of Saba). I’m really glad I did. The homey flavors stayed with me after a long day of festing.
Indian Tacos
Where: Louisiana Folklife Village
The traditional fry bread presented here by southeast Louisiana’s indigenous United Houma Nation is turned into a hearty, offbeat dish. The crunchy, golden-fried disc of dough is topped with seasoned beef, chunky salsa, cool lettuce and shredded cheese for a homey, filling serving. This dish was missing last year but now it’s back to as part of the full menu.
Fried Oyster Spinach Salad
Where: Food Area 1
Vucinovich’s Restaurant, a neighborhood fixture in New Orleans East, offers something of a refreshing relief at the festival, with thinly-sliced red onion and a restrained hand with the creamy dressing. Of course, it’s also the delivery system for cornmeal crusted fried oysters, so don’t start feeling too virtuous with your salad.
Chocolate Éclair
Where: Between Gentilly Stage and Louisiana Folklife Village
If you love chocolate, this dessert or snack (or however you justify it) is a thing of beauty. Served chilled, the crisp pastry shell yields a mother lode of mellow dark chocolate filling. If pastry could talk this one would be saying cheers to another great Jazz Fest.
This story was originally published April 29, 2023 at 11:07 AM.