Crescent Pie & Sausage Knocked the Vegan Right Out of Me

Hi ho, Go Go’s. My name’s Blake, and I’m a foodie blogger here in New Orleans. It’s very nice to meet you. I look forward to all the yummy food we’ll discover together; food like the meaty spread you see below. It’s the Mixed Grill from Crescent Pie & Sausage Company.

Vegan, Huh?

Before we dive into this meal, let’s get this little issue a veganism out of the way. I’m probably not the type of person you would think of as vegan. Foodies, not to mention food writers/bloggers, may find meals and gigs difficult to come by if they don’t eat animal protein, especially in these parts. In my defense, veganism caught me right after the holidays (I spent Christmas in Paris), after Mardi Gras (and its king cakes), after the Saint’s winning streak (and its tailgates) and after those blasted Girl Scout cookies arrived. I had had enough, so I decided to clean house.

Going vegan was my attempt to clean up, lean up, and it lasted for about a month. That month was an accomplishment, and I was proud of myself. The food (which I hope to blog for you) was, and is, surprisingly good, and as a food blogger, I enjoyed the challenge of cooking animal-free. I fell off the wagon like I assume most do because of bacon. It was my birthday, and Cochon had a table. Thud. Off the wagon I went.

Vegan Sort Of

If a porterhouse for breakfast is on the left, and braised tofu is on the right, I’d say I’m right in the middle of that pendulum swing now, and have been calling myself a “Work Day Vegan.” I do my best to go veg during the week, but don’t worry so much about it on the weekend. Good thing, because the weekend is when experiences like Crescent can happen.

Now, I mentioned Cochon before, and for the longest time, it was my favorite restaurant in the city (Donald Link can do no wrong in my book). However, then Boucherie crept onto the scene, and it was up until I ate at Crescent that it was my favorite. To be fair, it’s not easy for me to push Cochon and Boucherie down the list, and to be honest there may be a three-way tie for the top spot, but this one night at Crescent left an indelible impression on me (and my belly).

Pim + Pig

Dinner here was spontaneous. My fellow foodie friend and blogger, Pim, was in town. Her flight got canceled, so she texted me to see if I could meet her for dinner at Crescent. Of course, I could. Of course, I did! I’m a bit of a sniveling suburbanite, so Crescent’s location isn’t ideal for me, but the food’s so good, I’m willing to overcome any trepidation I may possess.

I arrived a little early (and Pim was running late), so I hopped on a bar stool and ordered a drink. The bartender recommended a can (yes, a can) of Blonde Bombshell. This was after I tried to order an Abita and a NOLA Brew only to be told they were out. The bar being tapped-out was a little annoying, but I have to say I quite enjoyed the Blonde. They classed-up the joint by serving the can with a petite glass. Only big enough to hold a few swallows of beer, the glass was really my speed. I was happy. I ordered another can.

Pim arrived and we grabbed a table. She’s tiny, so there was something about her ordering nearly everything on the menu that I found amusing. Bad Bart’s Black Jambalaya first caught our eyes. I don’t typically go for jambalaya. I don’t know, it’s all that rice and spice and meat that usually feels really unbalanced to me. This jam’, however, was superb. The spicy rice held braised pork, chicken, sausage and black-eyed peas in perfect suspension.

We got a crawfish meatpie, and it was good. Not great. The filling was good, but the crust needed a little tweaking (more flake and flavor). We also ordered the pan-fried mac ‘n cheese, and it was so good; everything you’d want it to be. Cheese and chewy and perfectly seasoned. The highlight of the meal, brace yourself, was the Mixed Grill.

The Mixed Grill

The Mixed Grill (notice how I’m respecting the dish by capitalizing its name) is a big plate of meat, but this is magnificent, house-made meat. This is why you go to Crescent. Starting on the plate in the upper left, was a tightly-stuffed link of boudin. I’ve had better boudin, but Crescent’s was really good. If the boudin was the low point that wasn’t so low, the andouille and hot sausages were tip-top uh-mazing! I freaking loved the smear of BBQ sauce on the plate (it was sweet and spicy), and I always appreciate a nice grainy mustard when I’m eating sausage. The plate also featured fresh bread and butter pickles, all sweet and vinegary. Boom! Done! The perfect plate.

We ordered some of their green beans just because we felt bad, but I’m giving you permission to not do that. Go to Crescent Pie & Sausage Company. Go hungry. Order beer (in a can). Order meat, and nothing else. Well, maybe get the mac ‘n cheese, but don’t feel at all guilty about the spectacular meat-fest that is waiting for you at Crescent Pie & Sausage Company.

A+ fellas. I’ll be back, so keep up the good work.

I just had a thought. Wouldn’t it be awesome to have sausage wars in the city? Get all these meaty masters duking it out for the top dog? Sound like something we should get started? Comment below and let us know!

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