Aug, 3 2007 - Taco Peddlers in Jefferson Parish

Not really news to anyone familiar with New Orleans and Jefferson Parish but the LA Times ran an article recently, Hold the tacos, New Orleans says. It was sub-titled, "Mexican-food trucks are outlawed in a parish. Is it racism wrapped in a health issue?"

Watch a video about the taco trucks on CNN.

I'm not really into involving myself in racial debates but, as this has already been turned into a racial issue, I think I should note that the article was written by Miguel Bustillo. I don't know that Miguel is latino but I would be willing to bet on it. If you do a google search on "Miguel Bustillo racism", you will see that racism plays a part in many of his articles.

According to the article, the politicians want to ban the taco peddlers who sell out of their truck because said politicians are racists. I don't want to say the article is biased but it seems to me that the author is putting his own spin on things:

But not everyone is enamored of the newest cheap eats to captivate the Crescent City. Jefferson Parish politicians, who have long turned a blind eye to whites and blacks peddling shrimp out of pickup trucks and snow cones on the street, recently outlawed rolling Mexican-food kitchens, calling them an unwelcome reminder of what Hurricane Katrina brought.

The bolding is mine. In my opinion, that is, itself, a racist comment. Have there never been Mexican or Vietnamese fisherman peddling shrimp out of trucks? Did the officials not turn a blind eye to them?

It is also a slam to the local politicians. Not that I have anything against slamming politicians, I don't like or trust most or them myself. A wise man said, "Politicians should be replaced as frequently as a baby's diaper. And for the same reason."

He is a reporter though and I thought a reporter was supposed to report, not make news.

And who is this guy? Has he ever even been to New Orleans for anything more than to stir up the racist hate pot? I love tacos and Mexican food. Nevertheless, I'll take a check-in/check-out poboy over that any day. Am I a racist?

I used to work in a warehouse on Division St in Metairie quite a few years ago. We had a food truck we called the "roach coach" come by at breakfast and lunch. After getting sick a few times, I quit eating from it. Eventually, this particular truck was shut down. It was a white guy driving and cooking.

I am sure many, if not most, of the cooks in these trucks keep the kitchen very clean and use good ingredients. Just like most fast food establishments keep it clean. As long as inspectors are inspecting, I wouldn't have much of a problem eating from one. Where does the cook wash his hands though?

However, does the fact that the trucks are ugly and, in some cases, block views mean nothing? I think the city has a right to regulate them. There are many empty buildings that can be converted to taqueria and these stores would have restrooms and washing stations.

I think we should just keep the racism card out of it and have a reasonable discussion. So what do you think? Should the taco peddlers be allowed to stay?

Oh, the Food! Dookie Chase is Back!

Dooky Chase's to reopen after $500,000 in repair. According to the New Orleans City Business news, Leah Chase has been able to get the requires repairs funded and implemented. We're coming up on the two year anniversary and while the article says no date is yet set, I hope it's on the anniversary. That's the kind of message the world needs about New Orleanians. The job will get done.

I watch Leah on PBS when I see that she's on. Her show is "Creole Cooking with Leah Chase" and it's a hoot to watch. She is one spunky lady. The article above says she is 84 and wikipedia says she was born on January 6, 1923.

She's a local. She was born in my mom's home town of Madisonville on the north shore. Even now, Madisonville is fairly rural (growing lot's of very large homes right now, though) so I can imagine what it was ike in the 1920s. When I was kid, many of the roads were made up of little river rocks (and I'm not that old).

She moved to New Orleans when she was 18 and got a job at Colonial Restaurant . In 1945 she married Dooky and, after starting a family, she began working at his family's restaurant, part-time. She soon took a more direct involvement and eventually changed the menu and became chef. The rest is history.

The City Buisness article credits Leah with geting the resturaunt fixed.

Chase’s tenacity was key to the restaurant’s recovery as was the outpouring of support from friends, family and the legions of fans who vowed not to let Dooky Chase’s become another casualty of Katrina.

Money cobbled together from various sources covered what a $200,000 insurance policy did not. Chase estimates close to half a million dollars went into rebuilding her restaurant.

Leah Chase is a New Orleans icon. Unlike the entertainer/chefs who spend all of their time on TV, Leah built her reputation on making food. She won the Southern Foodways Alliance’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Ella Brennan Savoir Faire Award for Excellence in 2000. She also has several cook books available.

You should check out her Dooky Chase Creole Gumbo recipe from WDSU.

LewisC

Cemeteries and Food

Two of my favorite features of New Orleans are the the food and the incredible cemeteries. Where else but New Orleans can you combine both? Where else would you want to combine both? As a matter of a fact, do you really want to combine them?

I'm not talking about a picnic at cemetery #1. I'm talking about the first Culinary Tour of Metairie Cemetery. This Sunday, August 5, members of the hospitality industry (hotels, restaurants, etc) are invited to take a 1 hour bus tour of Metairie Cemetery.

Tales of the Cocktail has partnered with Save Our Cemeteries to create a Culinary History Tour of Metairie Cemetery. The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to benefit hospitality industry members, produces Tales of the Cocktail annually.

“What an exciting and unique way to learn the success stories and inspirations behind New Orleans’ culinary stars like Ruth Fertel, Al Copeland, Angelo Brocato and Arnaud Casenave”, said Ann Rogers, founder of Tales of the Cocktail.

While the tour is closed to the public this Sunday, it will be open to anyone in October. On two Sundays, October 7 and 28, the tour will be available to all comers. The cost per person is $18. Your spot has to be reserved in advance and you can call 504-525-3377 to make a reservation.

A self-guided tour is also being developed by Joyce Cole, a fifth generation New Orleanian who is a licensed commercial tour guide and donates her time to Save Our Cemeteries to preserve the very institutions where she takes her tour guests.

Sounds like an awesome way to spend a Sunday morning. Click on these links to find out more about Tales of the Cocktail or Save our Cemeteries.


Since I am on a food track, have you ever wanted to learn how to cook cajun/creole food? How would you like to do so while enjoying some fine wine and some good company? How about at the House on Esplanade?

You can do so courtesy of Classic New Orleans Cuisine. At $150 per person, it's not cheap but it does seem like a good time to me. More for the food than anything else.

A few treats that you might experience: Andouille Calas, Crabmeat Thermidor, Crabmeat Ravigote, Baked Oysters Bienville, Oysters en Brochette, Crab Bisque, Chicken a la Bonne Femme, and many more items (not all at the same time though).

According to the information on the site, you can:

Learn to cook authentic New Orleans cuisine in focused, intimate classes. Whether you are a skilled cook or just an enthusiast, you will enjoy the camaraderie of our spirited groups and talented chefs. Following each class, you will savor your delicious creations, along with fine wines, in our residential dining room or our delightful garden.

The weekend is nearly here. What are your plans? Drop me a line and let me know if anything interesting is coming up and I'll make sure to pass the word along.

Thanks,

LewisC

Visiting the old and new of New Orleans

Today's headline comes from MSNBC. The headline is Visiting the old and new of New Orleans posted on September 6, 2007 at 12:10am by Peter Greenberg.

The article is about teh memories of a reporter's first trip into New Orleans via train and a visit with friends. It's also a recent recollection of New Orleans and many of the sobering statistics that are the reality of life in New Orleans.

Best Quote:

It was a fitting welcome to New Orleans, one I will never forget. And it only got better. Of course there was Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, but my friends also took me over the Huey P. Long Bridge to a wild restaurant called Moska's (think Italian Cajun....), a place where mom was still cooking in the kitchen and old wooden tables with well-worn red and white checked tablecloths were all occupied.

I was introduced to the po boy sandwich at a place called Mothers, and taught the fine art of the mufalletta at the central grocery. (Before eating this sandwich, make sure you're wearing clothing you wish to immediately donate following the meal).