Part 2 of my family’s Summer Road Trip 2012! (Part 1 here): a visit to New Orleans, LA; Mobile, AL; and Redington Shores, FL — with food highlights, of course!
We began in San Diego and drove all the way to Florida. This installment covers our time in New Orleans, a quick stop in Mobile, Alabama, and a relaxing few days in Redington Shores, Florida. The trip was hot and hectic at times, but full of memorable meals and Southern charm.
I had never visited New Orleans before this road trip. It was hectic and very warm, but the food made it worth the visit. One standout was the stuffed oysters at Drago’s. The oysters were excellent — ask for extra bread so you can soak up the buttery juices.
No trip to New Orleans is complete without trying the beignets at Cafe du Monde. Personally, I wasn’t blown away, but it’s an iconic destination and the chicory coffee is worth a taste.
For breakfast you’ll often find Pain Perdu — “lost bread” — on menus. It’s essentially French toast made by softening stale bread in milk and eggs, then frying it. A comforting, classic preparation you can order throughout the city.
We found some excellent pralines at Southern Candymaker’s. They were rich, buttery, and exactly the kind of sweet treat you’d expect in New Orleans.
My son Brooks loved the street performers. They’re everywhere in the French Quarter, many painted up like statues — impressive, especially in the heat — and great entertainment for visitors of all ages.
A stroll through the French Market offered plenty of vendors selling local goods. It’s a solid spot for inexpensive souvenirs: t-shirts, sunglasses, jewelry, and handmade crafts.
We tried gator jerky out of curiosity. It wasn’t a favorite, but it was fun to sample local specialties.
Many people recommended Mother’s for outstanding sandwiches, so we went. The line looked long but moved quickly. Be ready to order when you reach the counter — they keep things moving.
The Oyster Po Boy was fantastic — crisp, flavorful, and satisfying.
We also tried the signature Famous Ferdi (ham, roast beef, debris, and gravy). I never fully figured out what “debris” is, but the sandwich was hearty and enjoyable.
We detoured to the Magazine District to visit Sucre Sweet Boutique. It’s a delightful shop with chocolates, gelato, macarons, cupcakes, and other confections. The neighborhood also has some charming antique stores.
The cinnamon bun gelato was a highlight — rich and comforting.
We also sampled several macaron flavors; the salted caramel was my favorite.
Dinner at Cochon was another recommended stop. The restaurant focuses on Cajun and Southern cooking with creative dishes and bold flavors. It was worth the cab ride away from the busiest tourist areas.
Fried alligator with chili-garlic aioli was on the menu and felt like a novelty — tender and a little like chicken — and the sauce made it pop.
Rabbit and dumplings was a comforting, well-prepared dish. Other notable plates included pan-seared pork cheeks with roasted corn grits and tomato salad, and a twice-baked stuffed potato.
We stayed at The Olivier House Hotel, conveniently located within walking distance of Bourbon Street and downtown. The hotel felt classic and family-friendly, with a pool and a layout that worked well for us — two double beds in a loft and a kitchenette downstairs. If noise is a concern, ask for a room toward the back.
My 11-year-old wasn’t overly enthusiastic about New Orleans, and we avoided Bourbon Street since it’s not ideal for younger kids. Next time I’d like to do a swamp tour, visit some plantation mansions, and maybe take a nighttime ghost tour.
On the way to Florida we stopped in Mobile, Alabama. The city was beautiful and welcoming. We stumbled upon a farmer’s market in Cathedral Square, where local vendors sold jams, pickles, baked goods, and handcrafted items. It had a warm, small-town feel.
I bought some jam and bread-and-butter pickles, and enjoyed seeing homemade treats sold by friendly vendors. One booth sold tiny slices of pink-frosted sheet cake wrapped individually — a charming, homey touch.
There were also creative crafts, like necklaces made from soda and beer tops, which added to the market’s eclectic character.
One amusing sight: even the local dogs seemed to enjoy sweet potatoes. The market visit left me wanting to return and explore Mobile more thoroughly.
Our final stop was at a friend’s new house in Redington Shores, Florida. He generously let us relax by the gulf-side pool for a few days. The area is beautiful and perfect for a family beach getaway.
My son had a choice between visiting the new Harry Potter theme park or fishing off our friend’s dock. He picked fishing and spent hours happily casting from the dock. All fish were released back into the Gulf.
Next up on our road trip: heading north along the East Coast.