Tastes of Downtown

So… went here for lunch today at the recommendation of a friend. Ordered the Meatloaf Poboy. Wow. It was a seriously good sandwich — perfect balance of fresh, quality bread, well-​cooked (and not OVER cooked) meatloaf, cheeses, homemade spread that was a mix of sweat and savory — just excellent all around. And I’m not a sandwich guy. But I’ll be back to try some of the others…

It’s a Saturday morning ritual for me — ease into the day, stroll to the Farmer’s Market a block from my place, enter the ancient «market day» culture, chat with friends and vendors, buy food, get a newspaper and then go inside for breakfast. I used to get food from a different vendor every week but soon stopped that and just eat at Taste of Downtown.
Don’t get me wrong, the other food vendors are terrific in their own way. It’s just that I’ve gotten to know and love the food that comes out of this place.
Located in the southern end of the indoor Market, Taste of Downtown serves up some of the best brunch-​ish dishes around. The fellow who owns the shop (and I apologize for not being about to call his name) has a way with poached eggs and a host of ingredient combinations that will satisfy any number of interests.
I’m particularly taken by his use of a combination of sweet and tart in a dish so that the palate is always «awake» and there is no cloying nastiness as can happen with many breakfast dishes.
The grits and grillades are a savory treat. His shrimp and grits likewise. Both are well worth the cost.
They also serve egg sandwiches on croissant that are good but fairly boring against all the other dishes.
They serve River Road coffee currently, I believe, which is a good cup of joe. Nothing fancy but good flavor and aroma is fine by me,

Today I would like to present you with my adaptation of «This is Not a Song, It’s a Sandwich» by Psychostick. (feel free to follow along on YouTube)
I know what you are thinking, you’re thinking this is a song,
Well I guess I’ll just have to show ya exactly where you are wrong.
Why aren’t ya hearing the CREOLLAISE?
Why aren’t ya feeling the SMOKED HAM?
If you don’t listen you’ll miss it, you don’t understand.
I will explain it all once, I can explain it all twice.
To make it clear to your brain until you’re taking a bite.
It couldn’t be a dam cause it doesn’t have a beaver.
It’s not the DMV cause it doesn’t make you wait.
It couldn’t be a taco BUT THE BREAD IS very crunchy.
It couldn’t be an Olson cause it isn’t Mary Kate.
It can’t be dirty dancing cause it doesn’t make you vomit.
It couldn’t be an iron cause it doesn’t burn your face.
It COULD be Bruce Cambell because it IS freaking awesome.
It couldn’t be a keyboard cause it doesn’t have a space… bar.
Because, this is not a song it’s a sandwich!
What would make you think otherwise?
This is not a song it’s a sandwich!
Now no more of your vile filthy lies!
This is a song…
No! It’s a sandwich!
Uh… But, it’s a song…
No! It’s a sandwich!
So what are you thinking,
Still think this is a song?
Do you require more proof?
Do you enjoy being wrong?
Why aren’t you hearing the SMOKED PORK?
why aren’t you feeling the FRESH BREAD?
why aren’t you feeling the PECAN SMOKED BACON?
why aren’t you feeling the HOME MADE SWEET PICKLES?
If you don’t listen you’ll miss it.
You’re making me sad…
I will explain it all once
I can explain it all twice
And then again and again until you’re taking a bite…
It couldn’t be a chick cause it doesn’t want to marry,
It can’t be windows vista cause it doesn’t suck AT ALL.
It couldn’t be a boob BUT IT IS A LITTLE squishy,
It COULD GO WELL WITH beer cause it’s good and stuff.
It couldn’t be a tub cause it doesn’t have a ducky,
It couldn’t be a stoner cause it doesn’t have a joint.
It couldn’t be an egg cause there is no Easter bunny,
It couldn’t be a song cause it doesn’t have a point.
Because, this is not a song it’s a sandwich!
What would make you think otherwise?
This is not a song it’s a sandwich!
It’s really NOT a hoagie in disguise!
I’m pretty sure this is a song…
No! It’s a sandwich!
Sooooonnngggg…
Sand! Wich!
SONG!
SANDWICH!
Jesus dude! What is wrong with you?!
No! It’s a sandwich!
PORK, HAM, BACON, MAYO, BREAD, PICKLES, AWESOME, GREAT, AMAZING, frog, noodles, pizza, tires, crowbars! (editor’s note: there is no actual frog, noodle, pizza, tire, or crowbar in this sandwich… but it has been described by my friend and I as the best sandwich in Baton Rouge)

Nestled towards the end of the Main street market, this hidden little gem is soooo cute! I got to try this little place today. the Italian loaf pressed sandwich with eggplant, cheese and some more random goodness, was OUT OF THIS WORLD! Loved it! The bread was fresh, the eggplant succulently yummy and perfectly seasoned and grilled! yum yum yum. cant wait to go back!
Also tried the house salad with the usual typical cucumber, spinach, tomatoes etc. it was ok. the sauteed mushrooms were to die for too! A an awesome thing about this place is the fact that they will customize stuff for you, happily and not make faces about it :) The people who run it are super friendly and nice! BIG contrast from the salad place down the hallway!
I will be back for breakfast too. they seem to have an interesting B’fast menu with eggs and bread and the works! :)