NEW ORLEANS — It's been more than two years since Central Grocery & Deli served its iconic Italian-inspired sandwich inside the doors of the century-old, family-owned delicatessen.
The 'Home of the Original Muffuletta' was projected to reopen last fall, but rebuilding continues months later due to the extensive damage dealt by Hurricane Ida in August 2021.
"There's always delays, especially with a building that's over 200 years old," Central Grocery co-owner Tommy Tusa told WWL Louisiana. "We had other challenges along the way that we had to address, and we wanted to get it right.
"At some point in time, I said to the contractor, let's not focus on a start date," he continued. "I want to get it right."
As hurricane-force winds over 130 mph swept across New Orleans, the third-story wall of a neighboring French Quarter building fell through the roof of the deli, which was relocated to 923 Decatur Street in 1919 after opening 13 years earlier one block up the street in 1906.
"We had no choice but to completely gut the place," explained the third-generation business owner, who has spent the past 50 years running the business with his cousin, Frank Tusa. "It broke my heart after 116 years to have to gut it because there was no way to tarp it. It just got wet, wet, wet.
"And so we've been rebuilding ever since."
As for a new timetable, Tusa would not lock down a definitive date. But said, "Hopefully soon."
"Maybe another couple of months," he said. "We're getting close. We're doing all the interior building of the counters and shelves – it's all custom-made – so it takes time. So another couple of months might be feasible for an opening date."
In the meantime, Central Grocery is operating a commissary in Kenner to deliver freshly made muffulettas to various locations across the New Orleans area, including Sidney's Wine Cellar right next door on Decatur.
A complete list of locations selling Central Grocery muffulettas below:
- Sidney's Wine Cellar • 917 Decatur Street • New Orleans
- Rouses Market • 701 Baronne Street • New Orleans
- Rouses Market • 2900 Veterans Memorial Blvd • Metairie
- Moisant Market • Inside the New Orleans Airport • Kenner
- Zuppardo's Family Market • 5010 Veterans Memorial Blvd. • Metairie
- Acquistapace Mandeville • 631 North Causeway Blvd. • Mandeville
- Acquistapace Covington • 125 East 21st Street • Covington
- Norco Fresh Market • 217 Apple Street • Norco
Muffulettas are also available for nationwide delivery through Goldbelly.
Watch the enter interview with Tommy Tusa below:
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