In Praise Of Cafe du Monde And Tourist Trap Eateries Everywhere

I went to New Orleans for a wedding last weekend. I used to go there pretty often, for work conventions and lots of Jazzfests, but hadn’t been back since Katrina. I was happy at how much the city, in this small three-day sampling, seemed like its old self. Among the many familiar things that enthralled me all over again: Cafe du Monde. I went twice. So great! But then a certain someone—who, because I admire and respect and like her so much, will only be identified in my story as “Defector editor Brandy Jensen”—told me I made a mistake. I should have instead gone to Loretta’s, which Defector editor Brandy Jensen wanted to make sure I knew “has better beignets.” No, Defector editor Brandy Jensen, I shouldn’t’ve gone to Loretta’s. For all I know, this Loretta’s place gets all the Michelin stars and sweeps all the James Beards every year for its beignets, and deserves ’em. Perhaps you should go to Loretta’s. But, by god, I still made a righteous choice both times I ended up at Cafe du Monde.