Everyone was in New Orleans this past weekend. After vicariously experiencing EssenceFest via twitter and daily recaps, I’m suddenly craving beignets from Cafe du Monde and crab-stuffed catfish. While there are some things that you can only experience in New Orleans, you can curb your appetite for New Orleans cajun flavors atop a french baguette or over dirty rice right here in LA. Then, finish with New Orleans-style shaved ice with ice cream in the middle and allude to Mardi Gras with carnival-colored syrups at the snowballs shop a few feet away.

Since opening in 2013, Orleans and York Deli has consistently delivered. With go-to menu items such as their shrimp, catfish, and oyster po’ boys and “gumbo mumbo” platter, it’s no wonder why there are a few people ahead of you waiting for their orders. Place your order to go over the phone, and if you order a po’ boy ask for extra hot sauce — it’s an unofficial rule. The deli is stationed on Slauson Avenue at Overhill Drive in Windsor Hills, right beside the jazzy Louisiana restaurant. It’s easily one of L.A.’s favorite places to eat for Southern comfort food. So much so that they’ve expanded with locations in Inglewood at the Forum, downtown L.A. and Carson.

get a taste of NOLA — Photo: Amy Scattergood

If you’re in the mood for something sweet but you aren’t craving Orleans and York cobbler, cheesecake or banana pudding mosey on over to Sno-Balls. There wasn’t always an Orleans and York on Overhil, but it seems like Sno-Balls has been there forever. On those unbelievably hot summer days when it felt like the heat is hugging you, Sno-Balls was there, faithfully, with soft and fluffy ice. Must-try flavors: Mardi Gras, rum, hurricane and Hawaiian. And Sno-balls funnel cake is an ode to New Orleans beignets, fried to perfection and covered in powdered sugar.

Where do you get a taste of NOLA in other cities? Let us know in the comments below!

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