Stepping off the bus, our mouths immediately started watering as we breathed in the rich smell of the smokehouses. “Oh, boy, that smells good!” was heard several times over.
We were with a group of writers at the Southern Travelers Explore Conference on a tour of the Andouille Trail, visiting three makers of this iconic food. While it is a kind of sausage, they don’t refer to it as sausage; it’s simply called Andouille.
The area was settled by French and German families and their combined cultures created Andouille. The meat is used in chilis, gumbo, jambalaya, and many other dishes.
Wayne Jacob’s Smokehouse
We had arrived at Wayne Jacob’s Smokehouse, the first stop on our tour of the Andouille Trail in Laplace, Louisiana. David was drawn like the proverbial moth to the flame as he excitedly looked over all the meats and other ingredients that they offered. The poor guy gets very bored with cooking meals as plain as I like them, so he’s always up for an opportunity to try new foods. But I had to pull him away for a few minutes so we could follow the group and learn about their process of creating Andouille.
You often hear that no one wants to know how the sausage is made, but in this case, you absolutely do. We learned that most Andouille is coarsely ground meat mixed with seasonings and flavors, then stuffed into a casing, hung in a wood smoker, then cured. The unique thing about Wayne Jacob’s Smokehouse is that while others grind their meats, they hand-chop theirs.
The type of flavors, casings, and wood can all affect the taste of the Andouille.
Back inside, we finally had a chance to try the various meats. David was eager to taste them all, along with the dipping sauces.
Needless to say, he loaded up on Andouille and many other products before we left.
Bailey’s World Famous Andouille
The next stop was Bailey’s World Famous Andouille. We learned their recipe is a family recipe from France. While we didn’t get to sample any meats, we did have the opportunity to buy some to take home to try.
Jacob’s World Famous
The third stop, Jacob’s World Famous , was just feet away from Bailey’s. In business since 1928, it has a very small storefront, but a nice-sized smoking area and prep space. The flames in the smokers were mesmerizing to watch. We again had the opportunity to taste test a variety of meats. Visitors are encouraged to take a tour of the smokehouse, so ask for a tour when you visit.
The Andouille Trail website also lists all the restaurants that offer Andouille on their menu, as well as stores that sell it.
Whenever you get the chance to follow a regional food trail, do it. You’ll not only enjoy the flavors, but it’s a tasty way to dive deeper into the history, culture, and traditions of the area.
Wayne Jacob’s Smokehouse
769 W. 5th Street
LaPlace LA 70068
Bailey’s Andouille
513 W. Airline Hwy.
LaPlace, LA 70068
Jacob’s World Famous Andouille
505 W. Airline Hwy.
LaPlace LA 70068
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