New Orleans food comes with its own language — and once you learn it, you’ll start tasting the city in a whole new way. From gumbo pots simmering for hours to po’boys piled high and dressed just right, these are the terms you’ll see again and again on menus across Louisiana… especially in the French Quarter. So whether you’re ordering for the first time or you want to sound like a local, here’s your guide to the essential vocabulary of New Orleans cuisine.

If you’ve spent any time in New Orleans, you’ve probably heard the question:“Is this Cajun or Creole?” The truth is, Louisiana is home to two iconic food cultures, and both are legendary. They share ingredients, spices, and a love of big flavor — but their roots (and their cooking styles) are beautifully different. At Court of Two Sisters, we celebrate both traditions, because together they tell the story of New Orleans: a city built from cultures blending into something unfo