Makin' Groceries

Evenin' ya'll!

I recently had friends visit me from Oklahoma and it made me realize just how fascinating a Louisiana grocery store is, even to us Okies. You can buy moonshine, cracklins, boudin, gator burgers, meat pies, and 5 different kinds of head cheese all at the same store. So I wanted to post 16 things you can find at a Southern Louisiana grocery store that you most likely will not find anywhere else. This doesn't mean I have tried everything on this list. Quite frankly I am scared to! There are just some things better left unknown. But, there are some great local foods that you won't find on this list because you can probably find them outside of Louisiana...like Abita beer (yum!) and Zapp's chips. Delish. These items were just made for watching Saints games!

16. Chicory Coffee

Chicory coffee can be found at any grocery store and is served at local coffee shops and at the infamous Cafe Du Monde. I have tried it and I just wasn't that into it. I like my coffee strong and ALL coffee. No chicory, no green tea extract, no hazelnut. Just coffee. Coffee coffee coffee.

Anyway, from what I have read this type of coffee came about when coffee was scarce in France during their civil war. They added chicory, the root of the endive plant, to give it body and flavor.

15. Olive Salad

Olive Salad is a common condiment 'round these parts

A grocery store staple around these parts is olive salad. A traditional style muffuletta sandwich consists of a muffuletta loaf split horizontally and covered with layers of olive salad, ham, capicola, salami, pepperoni, provolone and swiss cheese. And yes, you can even buy the sandwiches already made at the store.

Check out the size of this muffuletta at Chartres House Cafe in the French Quarter

14. Jars of Roux

They had at least six kinds of roux at this store

Roux, gumbo base, gravy...if you need it and you don't feel like making it you can buy it in a jar at the grocery store. Of course if you know me, I don't need no stinking jar. I make everything from scratch. =)

13. Kleinpeter Ice Cream

I'd buy this but I would eat it in record time

Every state has their famed local dairy. When I lived in Connecticut I was obsessed with Stew Leonard's. When I lived in Oklahoma, it was Braum's or bust. Kleinpeter's makes some of the best vanilla ice cream I have ever had, and I know my ice cream. But its the creative  local flavors that really make it so great. They have flavors like sweet potato pie, gold brick sundae (made with Elmer's Gold Brick candy--another local favorite) and praline (made with the infamous Aunt Sally's pralines). 

12.Poor Boy Bread 

That's pronounced "po boy." It is kind of like sub sandwich bread, only chewier. Great for dipping in gravy. Mmm. 

11. Blue Plate Mayonnaise

Miracle Whip? Nah. Locals use Blue Plate Mayo. Don't ask me why. I don't have a clue. But it sure is popular. 

10. Hubig's Pies

When I was a kid I loved fried pies. We would pick out our favorite flavor Dolly Madison pies at the local United Supermarket in Enid, Okla. Of course, this was one of the many reasons why I was such a chunky little thing. I didn't touch another fried pie until I moved to Louisiana and discovered the wonder that is the Hubig's pie. I was told the sweet potato one was a rare seasonal treat so naturally I indulged. It is quite tasty, and how often do you see a sweet potato fried pie? I have tried a few other flavors (usually as a late night snack after being in the quarter) and have enjoyed strawberry and banana. For whatever reason, there is something special about a Hubig's pie (especially if you microwave it so that its warm).


9. All Things Pork

This is just a small fraction of the brands and flavors of fried pork skins.

Pork tasso. Boudin. Cracklins. Head cheese. Pigs feet. Andouille. You name it, they've got it. Rows of cajun sausages, flavors of cracklins I never expected (salt and vinegar?), and many types of head cheese (who knew you could get more than one kind?). You can even buy a big ol' bucket of frozen chitterlings. I love sausage. I might even try cracklins. But I can barely type the phrase "head cheese" without gagging.

8. Cajun Wine Glasses

Whats that you say? Cajun wine glasses? Its probably a tourist trap because you could so totally buy the supplies at Dollar Tree. And maybe I will...hmmm...cheap Christmas gifts??? It appears to be nothing more than a mason jar glued to a candlestick holder.

7. Fresh Gulf Shrimp

Don't these look appetizing?

They are just sitting there in a pile for you to buy by the pound like produce. You pick them up with your little tongs and put them in a bag. I usually buy them washed and peeled, but I recently learned how to take them apart. I am getting better about not being squeamish about sea bugs!

6. Creole Tomatoes 

Oh. My. God. I heard these little red beauties were delicious and I heard right! I moved right after the season ended last year so as soon as they came out I rushed out to get some. They are firm and meaty, yet sweet and juicy. They are fat red delicious tomatoes! I bought a tomato plant and we will see if it produces anything. The best thing about creole tomato season? These:

Best chips EVER

5. Gator Meat!

Yep, you can get alligator at the grocery store. Alligator sausage, alligator burgers, alligator bites, etc. Its there! I have never personally prepared alligator but I have had it and it is delicious. It tastes like chicken! No, really.


4. Crawfish

They look WAY too excited about these pies

People eat these in my native Oklahoma too, but here you can get it fresh, frozen, or in a meat pie!

3. Booze

Yes, it is legal to buy your hard booze at the grocery store and yes, we do have moonshine (but I have yet to find any actually made here).I know this is legal in other states but friends that visit from Oklahoma are amazed at how accessible liquor is here because it is so different there. You can even buy your whiskey at Walgreens and stop at a drive thru daiquiri shop for a go cup of your favorite frozen drink!

2. Cajun Spices

Sure, you can get Tony Chachero's at most grocery stores,  but down here that is just the tip of the cajun spice iceberg! We've got Slap Ya Mama, Louisiana Spice, and of course a wide variety of hot sauces.

1. Red Beans and Rice

Whats that you say? You can get that where you live? Sure you can get some boxed version. Or use Uncle Ben's rice and and regular ol' red beans. Down here we use long grain white rice (at Winn Dixie they call it creole rice) and Camellia red beans. I buy them at Sam's,,,that's right: beans in bulk. If you don't have time to soak your beans overnight and cook them for a few hours you can cheat and use Blue Runner canned creole red beans. Oh, and don't forget to toss some andouille in that beans and rice ya'll!