Ferdi's Creole Restaurant

This place is the epitome of a hole-in-the-wall. Located on Broadway in Seaside (California) is Ferdi's Creole Restaurant. Had my mother not dragged me in for my first visit back in June, I would never have entered this place by the look of it from the street.  In fact, it is easily missed when you are driving down Broadway unless you know exactly what you are looking for. 

There are two separate entrances. To the left is a take-out counter and some minimal seating. To the right is a tiny little bar and a fancier seating area with full-service dining. In the take-out side, the walls are covered from floor to ceiling with business cards.... lots and lots of them.

It was inside this restaurant that I discovered the absolute best muffalata (moo-foo-LET-ta) sandwich I have ever had.  For those of you who have no idea what a muffalata is....let me fill you in. This sandwich originated at Central Grocery in the French Quarter of New Orleans. There are several different spellings for the sandwich - I am using the spelling that Ferdi's uses. 

The thing that (quite frankly) makes the sandwich is the olive based spread or "salad"..if you will.. that is loaded between the bread.  It is this tasty mixture of olives, carrots, garlic, cauliflower, and spices, etc that is just so perfect; I think Ferdi's adds zucchini and pepperoncinis to theirs too. There were so many flavors in it that I'm not even sure if I identified them all.  Other components of the sandwich include thinly shaved ham, salami, lettuce, provolone, tomato, onions, mayo, and grainy mustard. The sandwich is served on house made bread (2 foot long loaves). You can order the sandwich in a 1/4, 1/3, 1/6, or 1/2 size. 

There aren't even words to explain how tasty and delicious this sandwich is. 

Ferdi's is open Monday through Friday from 10am until 2pm but sometimes those hours change. Once they run out of something, they are simply out and sometimes that means that they close their doors early... It's all part of the Ferdi's experience.  

Ferdi's Creole Restaurant

740 Broadway Ave

Seaside, CA

(831) 394-2244