Laissez Les Bons Temps Manger: The New Orleans Roadfood Festival, March 23-25

The 2012 New Orleans Roadfood Festival is fast approaching! What is “roadfood”? The festival website defines the cuisine as “great regional meals along highways, in small towns and in city neighborhoods.” And the best thing about this festival? Admission is free (though do expect to pay for "right-sized" portions of your favorite dishes).

Roadfood is food for everyone: unfussy fare with no illusions, simple ingredients, and huge taste. With only a week left before things kick off, let’s take a look at what delicious dishes are coming to the French Quarter this year!

Restaurants and vendors hailing from Little Rock to Rochester offer up signature selections to make your mouth water. Some treats to watch out for:

• Shrimp & Maque Choux Grits, and Swordfish Tacos with Mango Salsa from New Orleans’ own Pier 424
• Ribs and pulled pork sandwiches from Memphis, Tennesee’s Central BBQ
• Fried cornbread from Big Daddy’s Hotwater Cornbread, El Dorado, AR
• Roast Beef Debris Po-Boy and Bananas Foster Bread Pudding from Café Reconcile, New Orleans
• Too many more to list!

Last year’s favorite foods included Pecan Turtles from Turtle Alley in Gloucester, MA, Pork & Cheese Tamales from Tucson Tamale in Tucson, AZ, and Crawfish Enchiladas from Blue Dog Cafe in Lafayette, LA.

If your appetite is flagging by Sunday morning, take inspiration from the New Orleans Fire Department, who will be facing off with volunteer gutsy gluttons in an epic beignet-eating contest on the last day of the fest. Winner(s) will take home the coveted World Champion Beignet Eating Belt.

Finally, top off your satisfied stomach with a refreshing mint julep, provided by the Tennessee Williams Festival--and make sure to take a much-needed walk around the Quarter after the fest’s closing on Sunday, March 25.

Pre-sample Roadfood Fest’s menu, learn about the Fest’s philanthropic associations, and mark your calendars for this eating extravaganza at www.neworleansroadfoodfestival.com. Bon appetit!

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