Many folks enter the Fair Grounds hungering for the holy trinity of Jazz Fest eats: crawfish bread, crawfish Monica and the cochon de lait po-boy. We’ll be prowling the vendors for these tasty dishes:

1. Hot Sausage Po-Boy: A classic that’s been feeding music fans since the very first festival. (Food Area I)
2. Andouille Calas: Calas are traditionally sweet rice fritters, but Chef Frank Brigtsen created this delicious savory version. (Food Area I)
3. Banana Bread Pudding: Miss Linda and her ya ka mein are fixtures of second line parades, but her banana bread pudding might be the best dessert at Jazz Fest. (Food Area I)
4. Pheasant, Quail and Andouille Gumbo: During the two weekends of Jazz Fest, Prejean’s sells the most flavorful bowl of gumbo in the city. Don’t bother spiking it with hot sauce, which will just pool on top of the gumbo’s base of thick, chocolate brown roux. (Food Area II)
5. Tajadas: Crispy strips of fried plantains are the perfect tools to scoop up fried pork and brightly flavored pickled cabbage. (Food Area II)
6. Boudin: Every gas station in Cajun country seems to sell boudin, but the links of pork, rice and liver are a rarity in New Orleans. Jazz Fest is one reliable place to find them. (Food Area II)
7. Strawberry Lemonade: Jazz Fest falls late in Louisiana’s strawberry season, and a refreshing glass of strawberry lemonade offers up a taste of the sweet fruit. (Congo Square)
8. Trout Baquet: Wayne Baquet, a Creole soul food legend, returns to Jazz Fest after a one-year absence with one of the signature dishes from Lil’ Dizzy’s. (Heritage Square)