Everything to Eat at This Year’s Bayou Boogaloo

Viet-Cajun crawfish bread from Xanh. | Bayou Boogaloo

2023 vendors are slinging Viet-Cajun crawfish bread; Korean corn dogs, and more at the Bayou St. John festival, May 19-21

New Orleans is at the height of spring festival season, with French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest behind us and the arrival of Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo this weekend, Friday, May 19 through Sunday, May 21. The three-day festival of music, art, and food that takes place along the banks of Bayou St. John is a locals favorite, a unique experience that invites attendees to arrive by land or water.

There are a few new elements at the festival this year, like a crawfish eating contest on Saturday, a late-night silent disco, and a sober safe spot, as well as a sponsorship from Crescent 9 THC Seltzer, the first of its kind. At least 20 vendors will be on-site at Bayou Boogaloo, ranging from classics like Clesi’s and Ajun Cajun to newcomers like Xanh from former Bywater Brew Pub chef Anh Luu, who is serving exciting dishes like Viet-Cajun crawfish bread, coconut caramelized rice bowls, and pandan mung bean banana pudding. Below is your guide to everything to eat at the 16th Bayou Boogaloo this weekend, arranged alphabetically.

4 of Us Catering

Crawfish nachos; fried fish and bacon po’ boy; fried shrimp po’ boy; crawfish gumbo

Ajun Cajun

Yakiniku po’ boy; catfish po’ boy; soft shell crab po’ boy

Any O’Cajun

Crawfish beignets, chicken and sausage jambalaya; crabcake burger

AOK (Asian Outdoor Kitchen)

Lemongrass chicken skewers: AOK Dirty Bird Fries; banh mi: Korean corn dog

Bub’s Burgers

Double or single beef patty; Impossible burger

Clesi’s

Boiled crawfish; dirty rice

Da GM’s Smoke & Soul BBQ

Smoked wings; alligator sausage; pork baby back ribs; grilled chops; brisket sandwich

Elements Happy Ice

Italian ice

Empanola

Beef Argentina, Peruvian chicken, pepperoni pizza, spinach artichoke, and yellow curry (vegan) empanadas

Ferg’s Firestyle Grill

Chargrilled oysters on the half shell

Fresh Fruit Sensations

Citrus fruit drink with strawberry, blueberry, watermelon, or pineapple

Jamaican Jerk House

Jamaican jerk chicken or pork; oxtails with rice and peas and steamed cabbage or plantains

J’s Seafood Dock

Chargrilled oysters; shrimp and grits; oysters Creole

Keyala’s Pralines

Pralines; candied pecan halves; pecan bread pudding; praline-topped cheesecake

Nola Snow Snowballs

Cream or sugar-free sno-balls

Soulé Cafe

Meatless red beans and rice; catfish with seafood sauce; spring rolls; wings; bread pudding bites

Southerns

Southerns fried chicken sandwich; chicken tenders; adobo cracklins’; fries

Sprouts Organice Cafe

Lemonade; charcoal lemonade; and cucumber mint lemonade

T-Swirl Crepe

Strawberry banana; matcha chocolate; strawberry Nutella; blueberry cheesecake crepes

Xanh

Rice paper salad, Viet-Cajun crawfish bread; coconut caramelized rice bowl; pandan mung bean banana pudding; Vietnamese iced coffee