The New York Times Posts Vegetarian Gumbo Recipe, Gets Roasted

It’s as reliable as the seasons changing: A national publication posts a gumbo recipe; Louisianans (and beyond) react with despair and disgust. This time, the New York Times tweeted out a photo of a curiously pale, very thick gumbo and recipe link with the caption, “This meatless gumbo has a distinct Louisiana flavor, thanks to the roux, Creole seasoning and the “holy trinity” of Creole cooking (onion, celery, bell pepper).”

In rolled the replies and quote tweets — more than 500— and the now-common refrains of “delete this” and “jail,” with some more helpfully pointing out that it’s not necessarily the roux or holy trinity that gives gumbo its flavor (especially not when the roux is light, as in the style of an etouffee). Others noted that there already exists a (mostly) meatless gumbo, the late Leah Chase’s famed gumbo z’herbes.

Juan’s Flying Burrito returns to Uptown following crushing closure

Local mini-chain Juan’s Flying Burrito opened in its new Uptown home this week, about six months after a rent hike prompted it to close one of its restaurants on Magazine Street. A fourth local location of the cult-favorite Creole taqueria is now open at 8140 Oak Street, the former home of Live Oak Cafe, which closed in May. Juan’s owners opted not to renew their lease on Magazine Street at the end of May after five years there, citing a substantial rent hike that was rumored to be double the previous rate.

Juan’s, which first opened in 1997 in the LGD, serves a Creole-influenced menu of nachos, tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. The Oak Street location is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., as are the locations in the CBD, LGD, and Mid City.

Another Chick-fil-A charges into the land of Popeyes

The second of three new area Chick-fil-A’s opened in Mid City this week, the city’s first standalone restaurant from the company and one that has stirred up a good amount of controversy around traffic concerns and development politics. Developed by Sidney Torres, the Chick-fil-A at 4068 Tulane Avenue opened on Tuesday with two drive-thru lanes and a 16-seat patio. A walk-in Chick-fil-A opened in the CBD last week, and a third restaurant is expected to open early in the New Year in Algiers.

Hogs announces 2023 festival

Hogs for the Cause, New Orleans’s beloved music festival, barbecue cook-off, and charity event mashup has announced the dates and lineup for its 15th event in 2023. It’s set for March 31 and April 1 at the UNO Lakefront Arena festival grounds, likely drawing upwards of 90 teams competing for festival honors like best sauce and overall whole hog. Special-priced early bird passes are on sale now.

A family-friendly outpost for Lakeview is in the works

Plans for the restaurant replacing Elle-J’s, a somewhat short-lived Creole-Italian restaurant in Lakeview, are taking shape, reports the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate. Called Outpost 45, the restaurant is being developed by the owners of the nearby Mexican restaurant Velvet Cactus and bar Wrong Iron on the Greenway to be a casual, all-day neighborhood restaurant. While details beyond that are scarce, owners expect to open it in March 2023.