**** Mardi Gras Cafe has closed.
I've driven by this place several times, so finally decided to stop by and see what this place was all about. This tiny "Cafe" and Market is located on Midway Drive near the Sports Arena.
What got my attention was the sign "New Orleans Muffulettas". So like any sucker(?) I 
decided to give it a try. As I walked in the there was a huge "Wall of Fire over 300 Hot Sauces" sign, this immediately tripped all of the tourist trap alarms in my head. But by that time I had walked into the store and committed myself; retreat was not an option. The menu on the wall listed about a dozen sandwiches, Po' Boys, Jambalaya, Gumbo, Shrimp Creole, and Crawfish Etouffe among other items. I stepped up and ordered the large "Specialty New Orleans Muffuletta" ($10.99). The counter help is very friendly, but S-L-O-W, so while waiting for my sandwich, I had a chance to look around and saw
this sign; at least I know where to go if I have a sudden craving for Alligator Filets; it might be a long time coming though. There is also a healthy stock of Cafe Du Monde Beignet Mix and Coffee, Pecan Rolls, Pralines, and Zapp's Potato Chips. As I looked over the menu/flyer, I had a little chuckle - it claimed the "Wall of Fire" had over 400 hot sauces, so that means sometime between the time the flyer was produced and when I placed my order, something had happened to "over 100 hot sauces". About that time my sandwich was ready, I grabbed the bag and almost fell over, but righted myself and headed home.
At home I unloaded the sub, it had been cut into four pieces, so I put them back together and took a picture; the darn thing was the size of a small pizza! What I did next was get some info on the muffuletta, not knowing what the "real thing" was like. Than I 
proceeded to eat. First of all I noticed that this sandwich suffered from TMB (Too Much Bread) Syndrome, and thought it would have no flavor. I was wrong, as the olive spread and the salami gave it a nice taste. I did not taste any capers, celery, or onions in the olive spread, but the taste of the sandwich was not bad. Also, there was regular ham in the sandwich instead of Cappicola. The bread was also a bit stale, which didn't help the sandwich too much. But to put everything into perspective, this sandwich is easily two meals, and is more tasty than I thought it would be. So I haven't ruled out another trip. The Alligator Sausage Sub($7.99) has gotten my attention, so I may give it another try. What has happened though, is that I've resolved to get to New Orleans soon to try the "real deal".
MARDI GRAS Cafe & Marketplace
3185 Midway Dr Ste E
San Diego, CA 92110-4542
(619) 223-5501
omg! i JUST saw an episode of some show on food tv (which, admiitedly, i watch non-stop the minute i walk into my apartment) about muffulettas, and i swear i was DROOLING over them - olive salad soaking into soft white bread...i bet i could eat that by itself!
Posted by: sarah | Friday, 08 July 2005 at 09:53 AM
First off, great blog. Just happened upon your site. As a fellow kaamaina/sd resident I can appreciate your quest for good food.
Living fairly close to Mardi Gras, I go every so often but only get the crawfish po boys. They are pretty good and overflowing with fried crawfish. Sometimes they can be heavy with the seasoning but a good sandwich nonetheless.
Posted by: Jack | Friday, 08 July 2005 at 09:57 AM
Sarah - Thanks for dropping by....Now I'm a pretty big eater - but it's quite a bit of bread! But I would never doubt that you could clean this baby up!!
Howszit Jack - Good to hear from another Ex-Pat Kama'aina here in SD - actually there are quite a few of us here. Please keep posting your comments - I'd also like to hear where you eat. I will try the crawfish po' boys the next time - thanks for the rec.
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 08 July 2005 at 10:10 AM
Boy do I need to watch my spelling..kamaaina..
I just realized you might know of where to buy ogo. Any ideas? I tried 99 Ranch a few times but they didn't have it. I am really wanting a little salty "crunch" to my poke.
Posted by: Jack | Friday, 08 July 2005 at 10:42 AM
Jack - I actually drive to Marukai in LA to get ogo - they have it flown in - I also usually by my fish for poke there as well! It's really hard to get good fish in San Diego, as ironic as that sounds. Catalina Offshore has good fish - but you have to buy large quantities. My Buddy owns a sushi bar here - so sometimes I can get good stuff from him. Nijiya will have ogo - but it's soo old, it looks brown and purple and smells like ammonia already! Same with 99 Ranch Market - I've seen it twice, but too old! I'm really picky about my fish - coming from Hii and all. Let me know if you find a good source for ogo, or fish! So far Point Loma Seafood and the Fishery have flunk my Maguro/Ahi test! BTW I've been told by some other "locals" that the Ahi from Zion market when fresh is good... I'll be doing a couple of types of poke on this sight in the future...
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 08 July 2005 at 11:46 AM
sight? ::giggles::
Posted by: Jo | Friday, 08 July 2005 at 02:31 PM
Joooo - sumtims my pingars gette al mixxeded up....
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 08 July 2005 at 02:36 PM
::laughing:: Oh yea? DO tell! ::sniffs with mock haughtiness:: that NEVER happens to me! ::guffaw::
So umm... what the heck is ogo? Is it a sort of dried fish? It's possible I could come up with it. Speaking of coming up with stuff, I shot a kite to HK and am waiting for reply regarding }}da da da dum{{ the secret ingredient. I'll keep you er... PosteD? ::wink::
Posted by: Jo | Friday, 08 July 2005 at 10:44 PM
Hi Kirk,
The sandwich looks interesting, but I would agree that it looks like a lot of bread.
I don't normally eat ogo in poke and definitely don't eat it with Maui onions either. I like poke with just a little shoyu, a dash of sesame oil, chopped chili pepper (or chili pepper water) and a sprinkling of green onions.
Haven't had poke in a while though.
BTW. Elmer Guzman, formerly of Sam Choys has opened a new poke shop. Read about it on Monday.
Posted by: Reid | Friday, 08 July 2005 at 10:56 PM
Hi Reid - Funny you should mention Elmer Guzman - my Big Kahuna Burner had an "instructional DVD" - mostly just "pimping" sauces and stuff - but guess who's doing the cooking demo on the DVD? None other than Elmer Guzman!!! :) BTW, I love ogo in my poke, it adds a nice texture, and a taste of the ocean!
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 08 July 2005 at 11:26 PM
Jo - Ogo is basically a type of seaweed! It's farmed in Hii - though I remember going to Ewa Beach and picking the stuff when I was younger...and secret ingredient - could it be....
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 08 July 2005 at 11:28 PM
Kirk,
I typically get my fish from Catalina Offshore. Recently I bought some fish from a newly opened market/restaurant right next to Siesels Market in Bay Park. I don't recall the name of it though. The ahi was really good. One of these days I will have to try the restaurant.
Posted by: Jack | Saturday, 09 July 2005 at 07:42 AM
Jack - It was Bay Park Fish - I reviewed it (the fish market side)earlier - along with Seisel's. Great minds think alike, huh???
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 09 July 2005 at 11:28 AM
Kirk - Great food obsessed minds :)
I also remember when I was a youngster walking the beaches of Ewa Beach picking seaweed. Didn't really like it then.
Posted by: Jack | Saturday, 09 July 2005 at 08:38 PM
Jack - I really didn't like cleaning all the rocks and sand, and other stuff from my ogo! Glad to have the farm raised stuff.....
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 09 July 2005 at 11:53 PM