The Goods: Jazz Fest Edition
I’m going to dedicate the entire post to all things New Orleans and Jazz Fest. Why? Because why the heck not. I just got back from my 14th time at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. It’s an annual trip my husband I do every May and it’s a highlight of my year. I’m rocking the stretchy pants this week (more so than ever) as I try to get back into a diet that doesn’t consist of po-boys and fried chicken. I filled my soul with blues and gospel, slept in, spent time with good friends and soaked up all the hospitality that NOLA has to offer.
Big smiles and hungry bellies was our motto for the weekend. This trip is about stuffing our faces and shaking our money makers.
I always go in a day early to have time to shop the awesome boutiques that New Orleans is so good for- nothing like a festive house on Magazine Street to get you in the mood!
My friend Heather and I ate our way through Magazine Street. We started Dat Dog which serves up all things dogs and sausages. We had Bacon Werewolf which was a siberian sausage with bacon, creole slaw, sauerkraut and fresh tomatoes. Sounds weird but tasted great! Totally normal to eat this as an appetizer at 10:30 in the morning, right?
After shopping most of the day, we finished off at Mahoney’s Po-Boys for fried green tomatoes (in the most savory corn meal crust) and a roast beef and swiss dressed po-boy. Might have been one my best days in a long time. Thanks, Heath!
My husband and his childhood buddies. They’ve been doing Jazz Fest for 25 years. I’m a newbie at only 14. These are some quality gents right here.
Jazz Fest is just as much about the food as it is the music. Hundreds of food booths and cuisines to choose from. This right here is the first thing I eat every year: Cochon de Lait Po Boy. Otherwise known as the best damn sandwich I’ve ever had.
Don’t be grossed out by the dirty table and crawfish remnants- I can’t tell you enough how much I love this sandwich. And more fried green tomatoes!
No Jazz Fest is complete without a trip to church aka the Gospel Tent. It’s where you go to fill your soul, shine your light and get down with various church choirs that will blow you away.
Case in point: jamming, singing, swaying, and feeling good are all part of the experience.
In the afternoons we’re tired from walking around the 15 or so stages and (shocker) eating more than we probably should have. We like to drop our tarp, take off our shoes and listen to some tunes. Alabama Shakes keeping us company.
I have some variation of this photo for every year that we go. It’s the same group of faces year after year. Any man that will do jazz hands unprompted is alright with me.
The fest runs for two weekends every year and we always go the 2nd. We also usually only go Thursday and Friday and avoid the weekend crowds. It’s never this mellow. Thursday this year was as mellow as I’ve ever seen it. Cooler temps and no crowds= a happy mountain mama.
Parades. Always, always parades.
No trip is complete with out the tunes of Cowboy Mouth.
Not trip is complete without a trip to my favorite spot in the quarter, Roux Royale. In fact, Royal Street is about as much into the quarter as I get. Unless beignets are involved, of course. This store if filled with all things kitchy kitchen related with a New Orleans twist. Definitely a must for any foodie visiting NOLA!
A great trip, great memories and good eats. Until next time, Crescent City.
8 Comments
Loved your email. Nice pics. too. Glad you and hubby had a great time. Everybody needs some of that every now and then. Have a Happy Day!
Sounds like a fun time in NOLA! So many good places to choose from there to eat 🙂
Almost too many to choose from!
Ah, I am a Jazz Fest one-timer and I can’t wait to go back again someday. It’s a bit of a trip from CA but SO worth it. I can’t wait to take my hubs who has never been. Loved this post!
I went once and was hooked! It’s such a special place!
It is so great that you guys do this every year. One of these days I’m going to get to NOLA…and to that jazz fest. Seriously, I can’t think of anything better than good food and good music.
Yeah, you right!!! I live in New Orleans and we’re in deep Jazz Fest Recovery Mode this week, doing the mounds of dirty clothes and dishes that had built up over the two weeks of Fest, though it’s nice to have our town back to “NOLA Normal”. Still, we ARE missing it (especially that awesome Thursday!) – so thanks for your great post and photos – we’re glad you enjoyed yourself and we look forward to having you back anytime!
It’s truly the highlight of my year. New Orleans holds such a special place in my heart largely because of the kind people and your hospitality. Enjoy your recovery and getting back to NOLA normal!