Central Grocery and Deli — Attraction in New Orleans

Amazing Muffulleta - Best by far in New Orleans! I ate multiple Muffuletta's while here in NOLA and none come even close to the taste, flavor, and seasoning as the Original home of the Mufalleta (go figure). For me, the difference is the bread, the quality of meat, the volume and quality of the toppings, and the seasoning/oil.

Everywhere else I ate the Muffuletta, the bread was thinner and didn't have the same flavor and fresh bread taste as what you'd find in a bakery. Central Grocery's bread tasted like something you'd get fresh from a high-quality bakery, which any sandwich maker knows the bread is one of the most important aspects of the sandwich.

The second difference is the quality of the meat. Anyone who goes to a traditional deli, especially like in New York knows the difference between high quality meat and low quality meat which can be tasted immediately. The same thing is true with the cheese. At Central grocery, it's clear they have one of the highest quality meat selections in New Orleans which generally makes the Sandwich a completely different and higher quality taste.

Also, they sell the highest quality ingredients including fresh high-quality pickles, olives, and a bunch of other condiments separately, like what a bakery or specialized grocery store would have. The quality of the olives alone along with the other condiments, take the flavor and taste of the sandwich above the others I ate.

Lastly is the seasoning and oil used on the bread and meat. Every other Muffulleta I ate in New Orleans literally tasted dry, even though the cheese was melted. It was because they all lacked the oil and seasoning that is used at Central Grocery, where even without the cheese being melted, the sandwich is moist and delicious. I thought I'd have to eat it heated which I did try as well. But in all honesty, I can eat it completely cold as it is provided and it tasted just as good due to the volume of oil and seasoning used on the bread and meat.

When purchased you can get the muffuletta in either a half or a full and each comes with heating instructions. If you do decide to heat it, it's worth trying & makes it equally delicious. I prefer crunchier bread versus softer bread where the top and bottom is crunchy but the middle is soft and fluffy so that's the way I made it when heating it, but it comes with instructions to keep the bread soft if preferred. I normally eat a foot long hoagie sub when eating a sandwich and I could only finish half of the sandwich since it is huge! (See the attached photo and note that the plate used in the photo is a large dinner plate).

Overall, I didn't find another Muffuletta place that made could even compare to the original at Central Grocery, but I'll keep looking. Either way, if you are visiting New Orleans and you like a quality sandwich with fresh baked bread, high quality deli and ingredients, and amazing seasoning, you need to make a stop at...

The Experience

What a find! Central Grocery isn't just a sandwich shop - it's a piece of New Orleans history and a fully functioning Italian grocery store. This place has been perfecting the muffuletta since 1906, and you can definitely taste that century of expertise.

The Food

Half Muffuletta - 5 Stars This sandwich is absolutely MASSIVE! I ordered a half and could only eat half of that - so essentially a quarter of a full muffuletta was plenty for me. The bread was incredibly fresh with that perfect crusty exterior and soft interior that makes a great muffuletta. The deli meats were amazing quality - you can tell they know what they're doing with their cured meats and cheeses.

The olive salad (what makes a muffuletta a muffuletta) was perfectly balanced and really brought all the flavors together. This is definitely the kind of sandwich that's worth the hype.

The Atmosphere

What I loved about this place is that it's not just about the sandwich - it's a real grocery store! They have tons of different canned items, imported goods, and everything you'd need to make your own Italian feast at home. It's like getting a little taste of old New Orleans while you're there.

The fact that they only have one item on the menu (the muffuletta) shows their confidence and specialization. When you've been perfecting one thing for over 100 years, why mess with success?

The Service

The cashier was absolutely wonderful - very personable, helpful, kind, and hospitable. Great customer service really makes the experience, and they nailed it here. You can tell they're proud of what they do and happy to share it with visitors.

My Take

Central Grocery is exactly what you want from a New Orleans institution - authentic, historic, and absolutely delicious. The muffuletta lives up to its reputation, and the whole experience feels like stepping back in time. Plus, being able to browse the grocery store and pick up some imported goodies is a nice bonus.

Perfect for: Anyone wanting to try the original muffuletta, history buffs, people who appreciate authentic local institutions

Pro tip: Get the half unless you're sharing or REALLY hungry - these sandwiches are no joke in terms of size!

Would I return? Absolutely! Next time I might try to finish a whole half sandwich... maybe.

This is the kind of place that reminds you why New Orleans food culture is so special....

Our story now takes us here to Central Grocery at 923 Decatur Street in the French Quarter.

In 1906, Mr. Salvatore Lupo, the founder of this store, is credited with creating the first muffaletta sandwich.

Italian Farmers and workers at the near by French Market were frequent customers at Central Grocery purchasing muffuletto bread, cold cuts, olives, and cheese .

This inspired Mr. Lupo to assemble these ingredients into a convenient sandwich. Initially unnamed, the sandwich eventually adopted the bread's moniker.

The muffaletta trend spread, with vendors like Frank Di Nicola, known as the "muffuletto man," selling sandwiches from street to street.

This culinary creation, though embodying Italian spirit, does not have an equivalent in Italy, showcasing the unique fusion of Sicilian traditions in New Orleans.

Central Grocery was badly damaged by Hurricane Ida in 2021 and is undergoing extensive repairs. They have resumed making their famous Muffulettas and have them available for purchase at local locations.

Muffulettas are also available for nationwide delivery through their friends at Goldbelly. I’ll leave a link in the descriptions for you to obtain this list for yourself.

So what does the original Muffuletta taste like?

I picked up my muffuletta at Sidney’s Wine Cellar, located next door to Central Grocery. These muffulettas sell out quickly in the day so don’t wait too long to get yours! Priced at $30 for a whole sandwich, they're worth every penny.

Packaged to maintain freshness, these muffulettas boast a standout feature: the bread. Baked fresh and of impeccable quality, it serves as the perfect vessel for the legendary combination of olive salad, deli meats, and cheeses.

Swiss and provolone cheeses are expertly layered alongside generous portions of meats, ensuring a flavor-packed experience.

With its ample size, one muffuletta easily satisfies four hungry diners.

Widely acclaimed as one of the best in the city, Central Grocery sets the standard for authentic muffulettas. Don't miss out—make sure to stop by and savor this delectable sandwich...