Central Grocery & Deli

Sometimes when you visit the birthplace of your favorite food invention, you'll find that the years haven't been kind and the experience is a disappointment. Never meet your heroes, if you will. This is not that place. Central Grocery's original muffaletta sandwich is outstanding. Well this is the only spot that I ate one in New Orleans, I have had dozens of iterations across the world in my life, and this one is my favorite to date.With a half sandwich being the smallest you can order, it is a ton of food for one person unless you're starving, so I recommend making or bringing a friend if you can (and if you can't finish what you order, there's no shortage of unhoused people nearby who would likely be grateful for such a filling meal!)The bread is probably what makes it so amazing, but the olive salad and quality deli ingredients complete the outstanding flavor. I enjoyed my cold, on a bench in nearby Latrobe Park to the tune of decent cover band outside the bar behind me.When I stopped in, there was no line and the time between my order and a sandwich appearing in my hand was maybe 30 seconds. They are cranking these things out all day long. Of course, if you find yourself here with a full stomach, there are plenty of imported and local Italian treats and foods you can buy to take with you.

AWE-MAZING I researched places to go when we came here for a business trip and New Orleans seems to be famous for a muffuletta sandwich, and that Central Grocers is THE best place for a sandwich. It's a great little deli/store where you can get a great deli sandwich but also shop some great local pantry items as well. We were in a small group and purchased the large muffuletta sandwich. They cut it into 4ths and we could all share. It's the best sandwich I've ever had. I even had a little left for lunch the next day. They can even ship!Some people gave lower reviews because it's not toasted but to each their own. As for me, I love a good cold deli sandwich and this hit the spot. Also, I don't know about anyone else staying but our hotel did not have a microwave so this was perfect to save for the next day.

I've been coming here since 1980, so 45-plus years. At first, I didn't care for the olive spread, but that changed quickly enough when I started to drink wine and realized that olives and wine are beautiful together, a perfect marriage.The service has always been fast because they know we are coming for that bomb, Muffuletta, which they remodeled after Katrina. I swear it looks a little more modern than it used to, but it still retains the old wood and the old ambiance.I have had many Muffuletta's over the years, but the original is and will always be THEE BEST from here by a local Charlie Andrews, aNew Orleans native Charlie Andrews shows how to make a New Orleans Muffuletta. This sandwich originated in New Orleans, but the bread called Muffuletta has its origins in Sicily. The sandwich consists of an 8-inch round Sicilian Sesame seed loaf layered with Olive salad. Meats like Salami, Ham, and Mortadella and cheeses like Provolone and Swiss are also added. This sandwich serves about 2 to 4 people, and it is delicious. I hope you all will give this historic sandwich a try.Central Grocery Website(They also ship their Muffuletta's)https://centralgrocery...Official Website for all recipes: https://[email protected], my friends SYOY 02/15/25 review #362

Wow! The Original Muffuletta was so good. I enjoyed a half Muffuletta at this legendary spot. The store is quaint and at a convenient location. I ate at one of the bars along the wall. They sell other items in the store, but I went there for the sandwich. It was the perfect size and had the right amount of meat with olives. The bread was fresh and not too thick. Service was fast.

Oh how I missed this delicious sando the last couple trips to NOLA. Happy the central grocery is back in Bidness!

Everything I expected and more! I seen on YouTube lots of people raving about this place. OMG if you love Italian foods/sandwiches please come here! You will be blown away. Chefs kiss! The olives inside the sandwich? Really? Delicious! You can save one for later. I split the sandwich with my husband. This is truly a gem. Please stop by. You will not regret it!

This was a cute deli shop, but I only bought a half muffuletta. I saved it in my hotel frig from Tuesday to Thursday, and shared half with my husband for lunch on Friday. Midday, I received a text "Oh my goodness. That sandwich was . The bread was so soft!!! Thank you honey! ". As for me. I had it for dinner and followed the instructions to microwave it for 30 seconds. Holy cow! This has to be my top five favorite sandwiches! The bread was soft and the olive tapenade was flavorful and crunchy. After a few days, I think it made the flavor mend well together. The female employee was so sweet (as everyone I met in NOLA)! Definitely try this or take it home as a way to savor your trip to NOLA! must eat!

We were in New Orleans for a quick business trip, and dropped in to Central Grocery for a sandwich. Located on Decatur Street, in the French Quarter directly across from another attraction the French Markey. this is home to the original Muffuletta Sandwich. This sandwich has been around since 1906 and was the creation of Lula Salvador's the first owner of this Sicilian deli. While several others restaurants in the area off the same sandwich but this home to the "Original". They also offer nationwide delivery thru an agreement with Goldbelly can deliver these sandwich's anywhere in the county. The key to this culinary masterpiece lies in the Olive Salad that is key component.The Sandwich is served on a 9 inch sesame round bun, that is crusty despite the ton of messy toppings. The sandwich is stuff with salami, ham, provolone mortadella, Swiss and the signature Olive Salad, a briny marinated olive salad made form pickles vegetables and Kalamata and green olives. This sandwich is truly amazing, and very filling, come hungry and get it to go. The deli gives a feel of an old world delicatessen, truly authentic Sicilian Deli, the feel of this place truly provides you with a unique old world experience. You must try this place if you are in the area, it is worth the trip.

I am glad I stopped for a to-go sandwich before my flight out of NOLA. A half sandwich was huge, definitely worth the price. I adored the olive salad on the bread, but the whole thing was great. Definitely a quick service grocery more than a restaurant.

Been to Nawlins dozens of times but had never had the famous muffaleta from Central Grocery til this week. They recently reopened after being closed for awhile and we stopped by to get half a muff to split. Grabbed 2 beers w it and went up to river to dine w a view. It was great. Bread was outstanding and meats were fresh. The tapenade was killer and made the Sammy. Not my usual thing to eat w the cold cuts but it hit the spot.