Is the food any good?
Are you kidding?
I'd travel to New Orleans for the Festival, even if there were no music.
The food is that wonderful. Some personal favorites:
I'm a cheeseburger and fries kind of guy. Any more ordinary food?
A little. For less spicy or less exotic tastes, try the Poulet Fricassee (grilled chicken on a stick) or the Cochon De Lait Po Boy (roast pork on a roll, but so much better than that simple description makes it sound). The fried chicken at the Fest is excellent. Also available: fried shrimp, sausages.
Popcorn, peanuts, and ice cream are available from carts scattered around the Fairgrounds.
The Kids food area serves stuff like PB&J, pizza-stuffed bread, and fruit salad.
The full food list is usually posted to http://www.nojazzfest.com/foodcrafts/food.php a few weeks before the Fest. If it's not up yet, just check last year's - 95% of the vendors and selections return each year.
Any food you don't recommend?
98% of what I've tried was wonderful. In '06, the shrimp etoufee was was too soupy.
Any vegetarian food?
Vegetarian items are marked with an asterisk (*) on the official food list.
I'm on a low carb diet? Any suggestions?
New Orleans is the wrong city to visit when you can't eat many carbs. So many of the classics are made from or served with rice, much of the seafood is breaded, and many of the dishes and sauces are made from a flour and butter roux. And for consistency and quality, I'll match the bread in New Orleans up against any city in the USA. But the selection at Fest is big enough that there are some wonderful items that seem suitable for low-carbers: Oyster Artichoke Soup, Poulet Fricassee, Jama Jama, Greek Garden Salad, Oysters on the Half Shell, Boiled Crawfish, Spinach Artichoke Casserole, Oyster Rockerfeller Bisque, Pecan Catfish Meuniere, and Cracklins. Other fairly low carb items include Fried Oyster Spinach Salad (oysters are breaded), Crawfish Remoulade (salad with crawfish and a suspect, somewhat sweet dressing), Chicken & Tasso (ask for no rice). And of course, you can always get a Po Boy and toss the bread.
I still can't find anything I can eat!
Outside food is allowed. Occasionally security may tell you otherwise, if so, just walk away, wait a minute, and then try a different line.
What does the food cost?
In 2008, the most common price point was about $5. Some items were cheaper, of course, and some combo plates were as much as $13.
What drinks do they sell?
The beverage booths, scattered throughout the Fairgrounds, sell water and soda (Pepsi products: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mountain Dew) in 16 ounce plastic bottles for $3.00; plus beer in 12 ounce cans: Miller Lite, MGD, Sharps for $4.00; and Miller Chill and Fosters for $5.00. Near the Jazz, Gospel and Blues tents, booths sell 16 ounce draft beers for $4.00 (Miller Lite, Miller High Life, and for the beer afficianado, Pilsner Urquell. These are all 2008 prices and selections.
New since 2007, there are a couple of booths around the Fairgrounds selling wine ($6) and champagne ($9).
Is there a limit on how many beers they'll sell you at a time?
No. Some folks will buy a dozen or more cans at a time. They'll even give you a box to carry them in and toss in a few blocks of ice to keep 'em cold.
Do they sell margaritas, hurricanes, or anything else stronger?
They never used to, but since 2006, they sell frozen Southern Comfort Daquiris (red or green flavored) in a couple of booths around the grounds. $5 for a 12 ounce cup (2006 price).
Do the food booths sell drinks?
Not soda or beer. A few sell their own specialty drinks, such as flavored iced teas. The Cafe Du Monde booth (on the concrete, near the Gospel tent) sells hot and iced cafe au lait (and beignets, of course). After a late night on the town, an iced au lait is the perfect way to start the morning at the Fest. Also look for regular and mandarin orange iced tea, and my personal favorite, strawberry lemonade. The strawberry lemonade booth is located in the Congo food area, between Congo Square and Acura stages, and I guarantee, around 4 pm, when you're hot and thirsty, you'll think it's the best thing that's ever passed your lips.
Is there any free water available?
I don't generally like paying for water either. There are water fountains adjacent to the ponds at either end of the infield, but it's not real good. Although several folks have assured me that it's tap water, it almost seems like you're drinking pond water. I mean, you can actually see the pipes from the fountains going down into the ponds. In any case, it's warm. It's drinkable, but not too good.
A better idea is to use the water fountains inside the Grandstand building. It's out of the way, especially if you're at the Acura stage, but the water is colder and cleaner tasting.
Can I bring in beverages?
You are allowed to bring in one factory-sealed bottle of water, up to one liter. Other than that, outside beverages are not allowed.
Page last updated May 10, 2008