10 April 2024
Matzo ball soup. | Getty Images/iStockphoto
Bakeries, delis, and pop-ups offering matzo ball soup and more for the holiday
This year, Passover begins at sundown on Monday, April 22 and ends after nightfall on Tuesday, April 30. One of the most significant Jewish holidays, Passover celebrates the Israelites’ exodus from ancient Egypt — families typically gather the first night to share a seder dinner (for some, two seders are observed). The traditional seder plate, which has small, symbolic portions of horseradish, parsley, shank bone, and charoset (a paste made with nuts and fruits) is central to the evening, but typical Passover meals often feature dishes like matzo ball soup, potato kugel, brisket, matzo (a crackly flatbread that’s baked before it rises), and fragrant tzimmes. Here are a handful of New Orleans restaurants offering chametz-free Passover specials this year — this guide will be updated as more Passover menus are finalized.
Stein’s Deli
Owner Dan Stein says he’s expecting inevitable last-minute orders of matzo ball soup, and will likely have some chocolate macaroons on hand — the deli is also stocked with gefilte fish and matzo. Call into the store with orders.
Bodega
Jaryd Kase’s a la carte Passover menu features chopped liver, “dirty rice” matzo, gefilte fish, matzo ball soup, braised collard greens, stuffed cabbage, coffee-and-red-wine brisket, and herb-roasted whole chicken. Sizes are customizable; pre-order online.
Kosher Cajun NY Deli & Catering
Kosher Cajun is offering both complete seder menus and a an a la carte menu for Passover this year. The former features grape juice, matzo, matzo ball soup, dressed green salad, gefilte fish with horseradish, potatoes, veggies, and dessert, with a choice of roasted brisket, rotisserie chicken, or lemon pepper salmon as an entree — the package also includes a seder plate with charoset, parsley, a seder bone, romaine lettuce, salt water, and a boiled egg.
The a la carte menu offers even more options, like baba ghanoush, sweet and sour meatballs, chopped liver, cucumber salad, and sweet potato soufflé, among others. Instructions for how to place an order can be found online.