NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans has a food scene like no other. I’d argue it’s the best culinary city in the NFL. If I lived here, I’d need to invest in some stretchy pants!
My first taste of this city’s cuisine was during college. My roommate and I went to a restaurant owned by Archie Manning, where we tried turtle soup and alligator sliders for the very first time. I became hooked on dishes like po’ boys, étouffée, king cake, and beignets. Honestly, I would be happy with a crawfish boil as my last meal!
Now, one thing I do recommend skipping is the Hand Grenade drink on Bourbon Street — not worth it.
So when the NFL previewed its food offerings ahead of the Super Bowl at the Superdome, I jumped at the chance to attend. The line to get in was long, but it was worth it. Most of the other attendees were TV reporters, while I was just a humble writer eager to try some alligator. Once they finished filming, we were ushered into a suite where all the delicious food was laid out waiting for us.
The menu for the big game is impressive, featuring lots of local flavors. Sodexo Live!, the Superdome’s hospitality partner, has a talented team of chefs led by executive chef Lenny Martinsen. Notably, Marshall Faulk, a Rams legend from New Orleans, played a role as the “official flavor officer” for the game. Fun fact: Faulk started out as a popcorn vendor at the stadium!
Here are some fast facts about the food being served:
- Over 5,000 alligator sausages
- More than 6,500 pounds of shrimp for po’ boys
- Over 150,000 nacho chips
- 12,000 local oysters
- 50,000 cocktails
- 1.3 tons of short ribs
- More than 700,000 ounces of beer
They didn’t share prices, though, which is a bit disappointing for those of us who’ve already splurged on game tickets.
Before I rank the food I tasted, here’s a couple of quick notes:
1) I sampled three unique cocktails. They included a loaded spicy Bloody Mary, a tequila-based “Voodo Magic,” and a fruity “Royal Carnival Queen.” I didn’t drink, so I can’t comment on those!
2) I didn’t try the Lobster Karaage sandwich, but it looked amazing.
Now, here’s my ranking of the dishes I tasted. Some will be available to everyone; others are for suite guests only.
10. Big Easy Hen of the Woods Bahn Mi
The beer-battered mushrooms in this sandwich just didn’t work for me. It had a strange taste and texture, making it an easy pass.
9. Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
I had a lot of gumbo this week, and this one didn’t stand out. It lacked seasoning, which was disappointing.
8. Softshell Crab Po’ Boy
This could have been great, but the special spread didn’t pair well with the crab. A traditional sauce would have worked better.
7. Assorted Sushi
The sushi from Rock n’ Sake was okay but not as good as I expected. It’s available only in suites, which adds to the allure.
6. Seafood Nachos
They had good ingredients but fell short of my expectations. More crawfish would have made them great!
5. King Cake
I can’t resist King Cake. It was delightful, just as I remembered. If you’re not in New Orleans, definitely order some to enjoy.
4. Carved Tomahawk
This steak was cooked perfectly and very flavorful, though it could have been hotter when served.
3. Surf N Turf Po’ Boy
This was surprisingly delicious, with a cheesy sauce and perfectly cooked shrimp. It had a unique, satisfying texture.
2. Fried Oyster Po’ Boy
This sandwich was a treat! The cornflake-crusted oysters and thick-cut bacon combined beautifully.
1. Alligator Sausage
The alligator sausage with crawfish étouffée was the star of the show. It was packed with flavor and made for a messy but delicious experience. I highly recommend trying it when in town!
(Top photo of fried oyster po’ boy: Zack Rosenblatt / The Athletic)
