The Overstuffed Sandwiches From This Louisiana Deli Are The Stuff of Dreams

Louisiana is one state that knows its way around a sandwich. Of course, we don't always call them sandwiches. Po'boys and muffulettas pepper just about every menu in Louisiana, and this is where you'll find some of the best, overstuffed sandwiches in the country. Dressed, naturally.

If you’re in Shreveport and find yourself hungry for a big sandwich, then you absolutely have to head to Fertitta’s Delicatessen. This spot is a big hit with locals and visitors alike, and the meal you’ll have at this deli will not only satiate your appetite, no matter its intensity and size, but it will also impress you beyond measure.

This deli is famous! It first opened in 1927 and has been in operation ever since - and it's been owned and operated by the same family the entire time. There are other restaurants in Shreveport and in Louisiana that are older, but it's the oldest spot in the area that has been owned by the same people all along. In just a few years, it will be celebrating its 100th anniversary.

At first, Fertitta's was simply a grocery store, but when the business began to dwindle in the 1960s, then-owner Sam Fertitta began importing Italian specialties from New Orleans like cold cuts, olives, bread, and pasta. Around that same time, Fertitta's began making sandwiches, and that's what helped keep this place alive to the present, especially as big box stores started to move into the area. The rest, as they say, is history.

The business has been in the same building all along, too. That building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and several members of the family were raised in the apartment above the store.

Fertitta's Delicatessen is well known for being "Home of the World Famous Muffy" - and this sandwich has even been trademarked by the Fertitta family. It's a spin on the traditional muffuletta found in New Orleans, and you're going to love it.

This tasty sandwich is served on warm, special bread developed by Sam Fertitta, and it's packed with cold cuts, mozzarella, mustard, plus the family's secret olive mix. The Muffy is absolutely incredible, and people come from far and wide to try it - usually more than once! Everything about this sandwich is epic, and you're going to love it just as much as all the other people who have enjoyed it over the past 60-plus years. The olive mix is absolutely magical; it's available for purchase at Fertitta's, too, if you'd like to incorporate it into your sandwiches or other dishes at home.

The Muffy isn't the only thing that Fertitta's has to offer, though. If you're still hungry after downing a Muffy, you might try The Gondolier - a meatball sandwich that's also made with great attention, love, and care. Or, you might enjoy the Centurion, which is made with Cajun roast beef, pepper jack cheese, and mild horseradish, or the Gladiator, a Muffy made with turkey for more calorie-conscious folks. There's even a vegetarian Muffy for non-meat-eaters - the Sicilian Muffy was created just for you! It includes all of the great components of the Muffy without the meat.

If you're craving a non-sandwich meal, Fertitta's Italian salads are also excellent, as are their Pronto Pizzas. Everything is made on-site by a member of the Fertitta family. Current owner, Agatha Fertitta-McCall, has been running the show for 43 years so far, and there's a good chance that you'll get to meet and chat with her when you stop by.

Feritta's Delicatessen is a very special place and it's truly a Shreveport and Louisiana icon. If you're craving a sandwich in The Pelican State, you need to try Fertitta's. You're going to love everything about this historic, family-owned restaurant and its offerings, and once you try the Muffy once, you're sure to be craving one every day for the rest of your life.

Share this article with someone you would want to take a road trip with to try the Muffy! Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner. To get you started, here are some of our favorite things to do in Shreveport.