Photography
By: James Cullen
Second line season is one of the truly unique and glorious aspects of New Orleans culture. It’s found nowhere else in America. Every Sunday, from late August to mid-June, Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs dress to the nines, parade with brass bands, and invite anyone who wants to follow along. Food is served, drinks flow, and joy abounds.
These celebrations began in New Orleans’ Black community during Jim Crow segregation, when Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs formed to provide funeral expenses and community aid. The “second line” were the mourners who followed behind the family and brass band—a tradition sometimes called a jazz funeral. Today, each club takes a designated Sunday to parade through their neighborhood.
And where the parades go, the food and drink vendors follow. One thing’s for sure: you’ll work up an appetite. Here are my top picks for what to eat and drink at a second line.
1. Yakamein (“Old Sober”)
Rich beef broth, soy, hot sauce, stewed beef, spaghetti noodles, and a hard-boiled egg—it’s comfort in a Styrofoam cup. Nicknamed Old Sober, yakamein is the hangover cure and the parade fuel you didn’t know you needed. Its origins are debated—possibly from African-American soldiers returning from Korea, or from Black and Chinese laborers exchanging food traditions during Reconstruction—but either way, it’s pure New Orleans. If you spot Ms. Linda, the queen of yakamein, you’ve struck gold.
2. Hot Sausage on French Bread
Forget the fancy po-boys for now. On the line, a hot sausage sandwich is the go-to. It’s spicy, simple, filling, and handheld—exactly what you want mid-parade. Usually stripped down (mayo or BBQ sauce is enough), it’s a no-fuss meal with maximum flavor. Pro tip: grab extra napkins.
3. Chargrilled Oysters
Smoky, buttery, cheesy oysters fresh off the half-shell—paired with French bread or crackers to soak up the juices—are pure indulgence. Our Gulf oysters are big and mild, making them perfect for grilling. They’re not as common as some other eats, but if you see them, don’t pass them up.
4. Snowballs
Hot day? (Which is most days in New Orleans.) Nothing hits like a finely shaved ice snowball drizzled with sweet syrup. It’s simple but transcendent. And if you’re feeling festive, spike it with a splash of liquor or champagne for a boozy upgrade.
5. 2-for-$5 Heinekens (or Michelob Ultras)
Beer is practically mandatory at a second line. And 2-for-$5 Heinekens have become the classic deal. Not a Heineken fan? Vendors usually offer other beers at the same price. Personally, I’ve shifted toward Michelob Ultra, but the ritual remains the same—ice-cold, cheap, and ready to keep you moving.
6. Water (Seriously)
Don’t skip this one. New Orleans heat is sneaky—you’re dancing one minute and on the pavement the next. Even in fall or winter, hydration is key. Alternate your beers with water, and thank me later.
7. Joy Itself
Okay, not technically food or drink, but joy is the secret ingredient at every second line. The music, the dancing, the laughter—it’s nourishment for the soul.
Ready to Join the Parade?
A second line is one of the most fun things you can do on a Sunday in New Orleans. To find the schedule, check out WWOZ’s Takin’ It to the Streets.
And if you want to experience the real flavors of the city beyond Bourbon Street, join us at Accidental Cajun Experiences. Our chef-led food tours will take you deeper into the neighborhoods, markets, and kitchens that keep New Orleans dancing long after the brass band has passed.
