This Southern Louisiana Italian Market Packs More Than 100 Imported Goods Under One Roof

Chocolate-covered grasshoppers and bumble bees in soy sauce have shown up in the front windows of this tiny Italian market. That’s a bold way to greet the neighborhood. It also tells you the shelves inside won’t be boring.

The real headliner is a sandwich invented here more than a century ago. It comes on a round sesame loaf about nine inches across. A whole one gets cut into four pieces, and that number is not a typo.

I appreciate that the owners rebuilt the whole place after a hurricane instead of modernizing it. They brought back custom counters and shelves to match the old charm. Few Louisiana stops feel this stubborn about tradition.

So what’s hiding between the imported pasta and the jars of olive salad? Plenty, and some of it will make you look twice.

The Round Sandwich That Started A Whole Food Movement

Back in 1906, a Sicilian immigrant named Salvatore Lupo opened Central Grocery and Deli in New Orleans. He’s credited with inventing the original muffuletta right here. That’s a pretty strong claim to fame for a corner market.

The sandwich starts with a round Sicilian sesame loaf about nine inches wide. Inside, you’ll find salami, ham, mortadella, provolone, and Swiss. The meats get sliced in-house before stacking.

Then comes the crown jewel, a secret-recipe Italian olive salad spread over the fillings. It soaks into the bread just enough to tie everything together. Without it, the sandwich would just be a very wide hoagie.

Size is the part that catches first-timers off guard. A whole muffuletta gets cut into four pieces, while a half comes in two. I’d honestly start with a half unless you’re feeding a group.

Tradition calls for eating it cold or at room temperature. That makes it easy to grab and carry. It also means no waiting on a grill.

During Mardi Gras, the deli has sold as many as 1,200 muffulettas in a single day. That’s a lot of sesame seeds landing on Louisiana sidewalks.

Shelves Crammed With Treats From Half The Mediterranean

Imported pasta lines the shelves in more shapes than most kitchens will ever need. Olive oil bottles stand nearby like a tidy little army. The whole room feels built for browsing.

This place runs as an old-fashioned Italian market first. Shoppers can find Italian, Greek, French, Spanish, and Creole table delicacies. That mix makes sense in a city that loves a good blend.

The air carries the smell of cured pork and aged cheeses. Good luck ignoring that while you scan the labels. Your shopping list may grow without permission.

So how do you shop it well? Take a slow lap before grabbing anything. Many items here aren’t the kind you’d spot at a big chain store.

Cooks will appreciate stocking up on pantry staples from overseas. A box of imported pasta makes a handy souvenir too. It packs flat and won’t melt in your suitcase.

I can’t imagine leaving without at least one bag of something unfamiliar. Part of the fun is trying a product you can’t pronounce yet. Call it delicious homework with a Mediterranean accent.

You Can Take The Famous Olive Salad Home In A Jar

Here’s a secret worth carrying out the door: the signature olive salad comes by the jar. It’s the same blend that makes the muffuletta famous. The exact recipe stays private, of course.

Having a jar at home opens up plenty of options. You could build your own round sandwich with local bread and deli meats. Or spoon some over pasta for a quick weeknight upgrade.

Some folks avoid olives entirely, and that’s fair. Still, this salad is the backbone of a sandwich with national fame. A small taste might change a stubborn mind.

Jars also make easy gifts for friends who couldn’t join the trip. They’re far simpler to pack than a whole sandwich. Just tuck them safely in checked luggage.

I’d probably grab two jars, one for me and one for sharing. The second one may not survive the week, though. Self-control gets tricky around good olive salad.

Buying a jar also keeps a bit of Louisiana in your fridge long after vacation ends. That’s a sweet way to stretch a memory. Every spoonful brings the French Quarter back.

Some Window Snacks Will Make You Do A Double Take

Chocolate-covered grasshoppers have been spotted in the front windows. Bumble bees in soy sauce, too. Not your average grocery display, right?

Central Grocery and Deli has long been known for carrying less-mainstream imported finds. Those unusual products were once displayed in the store’s front windows, giving passersby something unexpected to look at. They work like a funny little welcome sign.

Nobody’s forcing you to bring home a bug snack. Still, these oddballs say a lot about the store’s spirit. It clearly loves surprising people.

Kids especially tend to get a kick out of window shopping here. A quick stop out front can spark plenty of giggles and questions. Learning about foods from other cultures starts somewhere.

Brave eaters might view this as a dare. Everyone else can simply snap a photo and move along to the meats and cheeses. Both options count as a successful visit.

I love that a century-old market still has a playful streak. It keeps the place from feeling like a museum. Tradition and a sense of humor can share the same shelf space.

A Hurricane Couldn’t Keep This Family Business Down

August 2021 brought Hurricane Ida, and it hit this shop hard. A neighboring wall collapsed through the roof. The store had to be completely gutted.

Many owners might have chosen a sleek, modern makeover. Tommy and Frank Tusa went the other way. They carefully restored the store to its original charm.

That restoration included custom-made counters and shelves. The goal was honoring the legacy, not reinventing it. Respect like that takes time and patience.

And time it took. The doors stayed closed for more than three years. Fans waited the whole stretch, wondering when muffulettas would return.

Finally, on Saturday, December 14, 2024, the market reopened. It was a happy day for New Orleans food history. The city got one of its classic stops back.

The family has run Central Grocery and Deli for three generations, with some sources saying four. That’s remarkable staying power in any business. Knowing the comeback story makes each bite feel a bit more meaningful.

Resilience is a big part of Louisiana culture. This shop wears it proudly behind those rebuilt counters.

A Building Older Than The Sandwich Itself

More than 200 years have passed since this building first went up. That makes it older than the muffuletta by a long shot. Talk about a seasoned home base.

You’ll find it at 923 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116. The address sits right in the heart of the French Quarter. Few streets in America carry this much character.

The location makes Central Grocery and Deli easy to fold into a day of exploring. It’s a natural stop between strolls through the Quarter. Grab lunch, then keep wandering.

Hours run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week. That steady schedule keeps planning simple. Early birds can beat the lunch rush with a morning visit.

Since the sandwich travels well, consider a picnic-style plan. Wrapped muffulettas hold up fine at room temperature. That freedom makes the neighborhood feel like your dining room.

Old walls hold plenty of stories, and these have seen two centuries of city life. Pairing that history with a great sandwich seems only fair. History tastes better with sesame seeds.

Television Crews Keep Showing Up For This Lunch

PBS featured it in “Sandwiches That You Will Like.” NBC’s Today Show named it one of the five best sandwiches. Not bad for a lunch wrapped in paper.

The Food Network has spotlighted it too. So have Thrillist, USA Today, and Huffington Post. That’s a crowded trophy shelf.

All this attention comes from doing one thing the same way for generations. The family hasn’t chased trends or flashy new versions. Consistency turned out to be the real secret ingredient.

Why does national praise matter for you? It helps confirm this is the original worth seeking out. Plenty of places make muffulettas, but only one started them.

Fame can make some spots feel overhyped. Here, the story stays focused on bread, meats, cheese, and olive salad. Simple ingredients carry the spotlight.

I’d suggest tasting it before reading every glowing write-up. Let your own taste buds cast the first vote. Then you can decide if the cameras got it right.

Either way, you’ll leave knowing you tried a true Louisiana icon. That’s a fun bragging right at dinner parties.

Your Kitchen Can Join The Party From Any State

Living far from New Orleans doesn’t mean missing out. Central Grocery muffulettas ship nationwide through Goldbelly. Your mail carrier just became very popular.

That option works great for birthdays, game days, or homesick Louisiana natives. One box can bring a taste of the French Quarter anywhere. No plane ticket required.

Local retailers in the area also carry the sandwiches. That makes grabbing one easier even away from Decatur Street. Handy for a last-minute craving.

The online shop also offers reusable shopping bags featuring the Central Grocery name. A shirt or souvenir lets you show off your sandwich loyalty. Fashion and food can absolutely mix.

Since the muffuletta is meant to be eaten cold or at room temperature, shipping fits it well. There’s no fancy cooking needed when it arrives. Just unwrap, slice if needed, and share.

I appreciate that the family found ways to reach fans across the country. It keeps the tradition growing beyond one small shop. Still, eating it in the original store adds a special flavor no box can match.

Plan both, if you can.

Smart Moves Make Your Visit Even Tastier

A little planning goes a long way at Central Grocery and Deli. The sandwich is big, the shelves are full, and choices pile up fast. Go in with a game plan.

First, think about portions before ordering. A half cut into two pieces suits small groups. A whole cut into four handles a bigger crew.

Next, set aside time to shop after lunch. Imported pasta, olive oil, and specialty goods deserve a careful look. Rushing means missing the fun finds.

Morning hours offer a calmer start to the day. The doors open at 9 a.m., which gives you a head start on the French Quarter. Lunch at 10 isn’t against any rules.

Pick up a jar of olive salad for later. It’s the easiest way to recreate the experience back home. Leave a little room in your bag.

Finally, take a moment to notice those restored counters and shelves. They show how much care went into bringing this Louisiana landmark back. A great meal tastes even better when you know the story behind it.