We appreciated the chance to get to see the beauty of both the Gulf Coast and the abundant Jewish life down south
As part of our “Let’s Go to All 50 States” tour, we visited another three states last winter to try to close the gap on hitting all 50. I’ve always wanted to go to Louisiana, home of Cajun cooking, and when I noticed on the map that Biloxi, Mississippi, and Mobile, Alabama, are in relatively close proximity, it was a good opportunity to do quick stops in those cities too.
Our first stop in New Orleans was actually to the Chabad House, to Rabbi Mendel and Rebbetzin Malkie Rivkin. We had a lovely meal there with their extended family, and we sat around the table hearing about Jewish life in New Orleans and life on shlichus. We even traded books; they had written a book about their plight during Hurricane Katrina through the eyes of their children (Escape from Hurricane Katrina by Chaya Sara Ben Shachar), and I reciprocated with a copy of Perfect Flavors.
We spent several hours the next day on a walking tour of the French Quarter, learning the history of the neighborhood. Our guide took us to the supermarket so we could buy the unique-to-New Orleans potato-chip flavors by the Zapp company: Spicy Cajun Crawtators, Voodoo, Hotter N’ Hot Jalapeño, Mesquite BBQ, and Cajon Dill
Gator-Tators. I love potato chips — it’s my go-to snack — and I love that they had such local flavor packed into the chips.
Our tour included a stop at the famous Café Du Monde, which serves chicory-flavored coffee and beignets covered in confectioners’ sugar. They were so delicious; they literally melted in our mouths and we got covered in sugar! There are several branches of this kosher café throughout the city — even one at the airport, so I got something to eat for the plane ride home too.
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