I may be biased, but Louisiana has the best food in the country. And it's my job, as a native, to bring awareness to some of the staple items in a Louisianan diet. These ranks will be based on my personal experience/trauma from growing up in a Cajun-European household.
So without further ado, let's begin:
10. Red Beans and Rice
The reason I rank red beans and rice so low is that I find it disgusting. My childhood was filled with Monday school lunch being red beans and rice and at this point, I'm sick of it. Electric chair for red beans- they deserve no rights.
9. Jambalaya
Honestly, Jambalyla is just rice, sausage, and onions. The only way to make it taste better is to put Tabasco on it. And in my opinion, Tabasco is the worst hot sauce. The taste is pretty standard, but this is one of those dishes that all Louisiana families claim they have the best recipe of.
8. Boudin
BILLEAUD'S GROCERY
Working with my dad on his boat, my afternoons were filled with boudin for lunch. Basically all boudin is, is just pork scraps and rice leftovers shoved in a sausage casing. The taste is pretty good but I rank it low because boudin is never at the top of a normal person's menu and there's nothing special to it.
7. Etouffee
It's a tourist trap, don't get it. For some reason when tourists come to Louisiana they always get etouffee. (Probably cause it sounds fancy) In my opinion, etouffee is an acquired taste and a really dense meal. Nobody eats it and wants to run a marathon after. My advice is to only get it if you can clear your entire schedule to take a nap afterward.
6. Gumbo
Ok before you get mad at me for placing the backbone of New Orleans culture as 6th on my rank, hear me out. Not all gumbo is the same. Seafood gumbo is God tier, the best of the best; while chicken and sausage gumbo can die in a hole. If you eat a bad bowl of gumbo that just ruins your day and mood.
5. Muffuletta
I have to give credit where credit is due. Muffulettas got me through high school. Were they good? Eh. Did I get them frequently during lunch? yes. I would recommend trying a muffuletta at least once just for the experience.
4. Crawfish
Coming in at number four is crawfish. The experience of a crawfish boil brings home many memories for a lot of Louisianians. A right of passage as a child is to learn how to peel your own crawfish. For me, I learned from my creole neighbor and crawfish eating contest winner Mr. Mouton. Spicy crawfish is the way to go and for the love of God please wash your crawfish thoroughly, I'm trying to not eat grass.
3. Beignets
Beignets are pretty dang good. I can't say anything bad about powdered sugar and fried dough.
(The real OGs went to Morning Call and not Cafe du Monde.)
2. Po Boy
A Po Boy is the best sandwich hands down. It doesn't matter how you make it. Roast beef, ham, shrimp, or oyster it's all delicious. Po boys (aka poor boy) also don't break the bank and are a pretty cheap authentic food to have when visiting Louisiana.
1. Oysters
Listen, I can write an entire thesis as to why oysters carry Louisiana. Oysters, no matter fried, charbroiled, or raw are just damn delicious. It is a staple at every seafood restaurant, party, and Louisianan thanksgiving. Unfortunately, people without taste will have to disagree with me. But it's my article and not theirs so I don't care. Oysters are the best 10/10 would recommend.
