Gastro Monkey // 美食家

In Elk Grove, CA there's a sandwich place that used to sell muffulettas.  I thought it was pretty good. Prior to that, I had never heard of a muffuletta so the first one I had was good. I couldn't wait to try the real thing in New Orleans though! If you have never heard of a muffuleta, it's a sandwich unique to New Orleans and has ham, salami, provolone cheese, and their house made olive salad smushed deliciously between a Sicilian sesame loaf. Don't settle for anything less! The bread makes all the difference! Note: I am spelling it the way they do at Central Grocery, although I have seen it spelled muffaletta. I am trusting the creators of this sandwich to spell it correctly. Another Note: You can order the sandwiches ready to eat from their website (linked below).  Central Grocery 923 Decatur St New Orleans, LA 70116 Saint Louis Cemetery #1 300 N Claiborne Ave New Orleans, LA 70112 I didn't know until I arrived in New Orleans that...

The first time I had a muffaletta was at Baguettes in Elk Grove. Baguettes was pretty good, and at the time, I had no idea what a muffaletta was. It had olives, salami, mozzarella, ham, and provolone. At least, that was the best I could gather from looking at the one someone else was eating in the shop. So I bought one too. It was layers upon layers of meat and cheese. Of course, the combo was gold. Eventually, I learned that muffalettas are from New Orleans. Then, since I knew I would be going to New Orleans, I had to find the best places to get it. Central Grocery kept popping up everywhere I looked. How would it compare?  It was so good, that when I went again this year, I made a point of going there to get another sandwich. Central Grocery is located a few blocks down from Cafe Du Monde, in case you want to plan for dessert right after lunch. Or dessert before lunch--no judgement. The grocery is mostly that - a grocery. Lots of Italian food it...