Fodor's Expert Review Central Grocery

This old-fashioned grocery store, which creates authentic muffulettas, a gastronomic gift from the city's Italian immigrants, was expected to reopen in the late fall of 2023 at this writing. Made by filling nearly 10-inch round loaves of seeded bread with ham, salami, provolone and Emmentaler cheeses, and olive salad, the muffuletta is nearly as popular locally as the po'boy. (Central Grocery also sells a vegetarian version.) The sandwiches are available in wholes and halves (they're huge—unless you're starving, you'll do fine with a half). Eat at one of the counters or get your sandwich to go and dine on a bench in Jackson Square or the Moon Walk along the Mississippi riverfront. The Grocery closes at 5 pm.