New Orleans' Cafe Du Monde- Past and Future (Expansion Rumors!)

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of New Orleans? For many it is Cafe Du Monde’s glorious beignets and coffee.  No trip to New Orleans is complete without a stop to this food mecca. The copycat places of similar names have nothing on the real deal… and while the beignet mixes are nice, making beignets at home simply does not compare to the experience of Cafe Du Monde.

Located diagonally across the street from the historic Jackson Square, Cafe Du Monde has maintained this location since it was founded in 1862. Cafe Du Monde was acquired by Hubert Fernandez in 1942 and has since remained a family business, now being run by third and fourth generations. In 1985, the family opened another location – and to date owns eight Cafe Du Monde coffee stands in the metroplex. They have even licensed a company in Japan who has opened stores in Tokyo and Osaka. But today, we are talking about the ORIGINAL Cafe Du Monde…

Interestingly, The French Market is THE oldest still operating marketplace in the nation. It was initially founded as a Native American trading post before European colonization. The French Market consists of a series of commercial use buildings (all painted the same color) that extend 6 blocks, beginning at Cafe Du Monde and extending “downriver”, which is to the left if you are looking at the above picture. The French Market is owned by the City Of New Orleans.

 Last week Cafe Du Monde made the news over what amounted to mention of expansion. The nation was all ears. I had a chat with Jay Roman, grandson of Fernandez, to find out more about the rumor.

The bottom Line: Cafe Du Monde DESIRES to acquire contiguous space for expansion- in the same building.

Stay tuned… this is between Cafe Du Monde and the City of New Orleans.  If they can get extra space, they will install an extra flyer to ramp up the beignet production to better meet the demand of locals and tourists.

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The Cafe Du Monde experience is a feast for the senses.

This is literally the view across the street that you might have as you wait for your order, captured from our table. I wish I could share the heavenly smell of the cooking beignets and the aroma of  freshly ground chicory coffee that taunt you as you wait.

There always seems to be entertainment (translation- entrepreneurs preying on the tourists) right there on the sidewalks- like incredible jazz musicians, magicians, balloon artists, mimes- all performing for tips. This saxophone player was brilliant – well worth a good tip.

Once the beignets and coffee arrive, the view narrows to the plate in front of you. It is fun to watch the anticipation  — and then the collective reach as the orders arrive.

Beignet Eating Advice From Locals:

1) Don’t INHALE when biting into a beignet

2) If you are wearing dark colors, you will probably leave wearing sugary telltale signs of having been to Cafe Du Monde. Especially if you inhaled when biting into your beignet… or if the wind blew.

Of all the great food that New Orleans has to offer, this could easily be considered THE quintessential flavor of New Orleans. Here’s to Cafe Du Monde getting their wish granted. More space for Cafe Du Monde means more beignets for us.

Let’s hope they get it~

UPDATE,  12/16/2014:

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