The juicy, rusty-red, pepper-shot Creole hot sausage that Vance Vaucresson makes by hand goes into lengths of Leidenheimer bread for po-boys, just like the ones his family has served countless times at Jazz Fest for the past half century.
These days, the same robustly-flavored hot links also go onto tasting platters with other varieties, like crawfish sausage and jerk chicken sausage, with an array of accoutrements and mustards made in house. The sausage gets blended with red beans for a unique dip, and it’s sliced and planted over a cheddar- and onion-covered beef patty for a special burger with extra snap and deep Creole flavor.
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The Creole burger is topped with Creole hot sausage at Vaucresson's Creole Cafe and Deli in New Orleans. (Staff photo by Ian McNulty, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
These are some of the first tastes you’ll find at the new Vaucresson’s Creole Café and Deli in the Seventh Ward. Julie and Vance Vaucresson opened the doors here late in October after a journey that stretches to the dark days after Hurricane Katrina.
![vaucresson family](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e8/de82865a-57b8-11ed-af33-6fdabdc57ad5/635d73fa07378.image.jpg?resize=150%2C107 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e8/de82865a-57b8-11ed-af33-6fdabdc57ad5/635d73fa07378.image.jpg?resize=200%2C143 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e8/de82865a-57b8-11ed-af33-6fdabdc57ad5/635d73fa07378.image.jpg?resize=225%2C161 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e8/de82865a-57b8-11ed-af33-6fdabdc57ad5/635d73fa07378.image.jpg?resize=300%2C214 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e8/de82865a-57b8-11ed-af33-6fdabdc57ad5/635d73fa07378.image.jpg?resize=400%2C286 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e8/de82865a-57b8-11ed-af33-6fdabdc57ad5/635d73fa07378.image.jpg?resize=540%2C386 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e8/de82865a-57b8-11ed-af33-6fdabdc57ad5/635d73fa07378.image.jpg?resize=640%2C457 640w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e8/de82865a-57b8-11ed-af33-6fdabdc57ad5/635d73fa07378.image.jpg?resize=750%2C536 750w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e8/de82865a-57b8-11ed-af33-6fdabdc57ad5/635d73fa07378.image.jpg?resize=990%2C707 990w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e8/de82865a-57b8-11ed-af33-6fdabdc57ad5/635d73fa07378.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C739 1035w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e8/de82865a-57b8-11ed-af33-6fdabdc57ad5/635d73fa07378.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C857 1200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e8/de82865a-57b8-11ed-af33-6fdabdc57ad5/635d73fa07378.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C952 1333w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e8/de82865a-57b8-11ed-af33-6fdabdc57ad5/635d73fa07378.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C1054 1476w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e8/de82865a-57b8-11ed-af33-6fdabdc57ad5/635d73fa07378.image.jpg 2008w)
Vaucresson's Creole Cafe and Deli is the latest chapter in a long family story in New Orleans. Pictured are (from left) Vance Vaucresson, Duane Cruse, V.J. Vaucresson and Julie Vaucresson. (Staff photo by Ian McNulty, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
Vaucresson sausage has been a continuous part of the landscape of Creole flavor in New Orleans for generations, though it was laid low by the levee failures in 2005. Its long-time butcher shop and production facility on St. Bernard Avenue were wrecked, and attempts to bring it back stalled out through the years.
Vance Vaucresson kept the business going, however, using other facilities and making sure these flavors remained in rotation, by direct order and at events. Community support and encouragement kept the enterprise going and the wheels turning toward a full reopening.
![vaucresson ext](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/e1/1e12af4c-57ba-11ed-bd16-8fc9d1838817/635d75562327d.image.jpg?resize=150%2C107 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/e1/1e12af4c-57ba-11ed-bd16-8fc9d1838817/635d75562327d.image.jpg?resize=200%2C143 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/e1/1e12af4c-57ba-11ed-bd16-8fc9d1838817/635d75562327d.image.jpg?resize=225%2C161 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/e1/1e12af4c-57ba-11ed-bd16-8fc9d1838817/635d75562327d.image.jpg?resize=300%2C214 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/e1/1e12af4c-57ba-11ed-bd16-8fc9d1838817/635d75562327d.image.jpg?resize=400%2C286 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/e1/1e12af4c-57ba-11ed-bd16-8fc9d1838817/635d75562327d.image.jpg?resize=540%2C386 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/e1/1e12af4c-57ba-11ed-bd16-8fc9d1838817/635d75562327d.image.jpg?resize=640%2C457 640w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/e1/1e12af4c-57ba-11ed-bd16-8fc9d1838817/635d75562327d.image.jpg?resize=750%2C536 750w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/e1/1e12af4c-57ba-11ed-bd16-8fc9d1838817/635d75562327d.image.jpg?resize=990%2C707 990w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/e1/1e12af4c-57ba-11ed-bd16-8fc9d1838817/635d75562327d.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C740 1035w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/e1/1e12af4c-57ba-11ed-bd16-8fc9d1838817/635d75562327d.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C858 1200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/e1/1e12af4c-57ba-11ed-bd16-8fc9d1838817/635d75562327d.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C953 1333w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/e1/1e12af4c-57ba-11ed-bd16-8fc9d1838817/635d75562327d.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C1055 1476w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/e1/1e12af4c-57ba-11ed-bd16-8fc9d1838817/635d75562327d.image.jpg?resize=1703%2C1217 2008w)
Vaucresson's Creole Cafe and Deli has a modern look and long community roots in New Orleans. (Staff photo by Ian McNulty, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
“There were layers of conflict between us getting here, but at every step there was someone saying how they needed us to come back, how they needed to get this sausage again," Vaucresson said.
A Creole hub
![vaucresson apps](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e4/de481046-57b9-11ed-9e8f-17afda5fc9ab/635d750054ba9.image.jpg?resize=150%2C107 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e4/de481046-57b9-11ed-9e8f-17afda5fc9ab/635d750054ba9.image.jpg?resize=200%2C143 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e4/de481046-57b9-11ed-9e8f-17afda5fc9ab/635d750054ba9.image.jpg?resize=225%2C161 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e4/de481046-57b9-11ed-9e8f-17afda5fc9ab/635d750054ba9.image.jpg?resize=300%2C214 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e4/de481046-57b9-11ed-9e8f-17afda5fc9ab/635d750054ba9.image.jpg?resize=400%2C286 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e4/de481046-57b9-11ed-9e8f-17afda5fc9ab/635d750054ba9.image.jpg?resize=540%2C386 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e4/de481046-57b9-11ed-9e8f-17afda5fc9ab/635d750054ba9.image.jpg?resize=640%2C457 640w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e4/de481046-57b9-11ed-9e8f-17afda5fc9ab/635d750054ba9.image.jpg?resize=750%2C536 750w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e4/de481046-57b9-11ed-9e8f-17afda5fc9ab/635d750054ba9.image.jpg?resize=990%2C707 990w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e4/de481046-57b9-11ed-9e8f-17afda5fc9ab/635d750054ba9.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C740 1035w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e4/de481046-57b9-11ed-9e8f-17afda5fc9ab/635d750054ba9.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C858 1200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e4/de481046-57b9-11ed-9e8f-17afda5fc9ab/635d750054ba9.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C953 1333w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e4/de481046-57b9-11ed-9e8f-17afda5fc9ab/635d750054ba9.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C1055 1476w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/nola.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/e4/de481046-57b9-11ed-9e8f-17afda5fc9ab/635d750054ba9.image.jpg?resize=1703%2C1217 2008w)
A sampler platter of sauce, boudin balls and sausage and red bean dip start a meal at Vaucresson's Creole Cafe and Deli in New Orleans. (Staff photo by Ian McNulty, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
Vaucresson opened the new Vaucresson’s Creole Café & Deli at the former butcher shop's original address. He brought it together with a partnership that includes the nonprofit Crescent City Community Land Trust, Liberty Bank and Edgar Chase IV, chef at his family’s famous Dooky Chase’s Restaurant.
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People gather inside Vaucresson's Creole Cafe on Monday, April 3, 2022. The family-owned restaurant received a boost thanks to the Black Restaurant Accelerator program which is a partnership between the National Urban League and PepsiCo Foundation comprised of a $10 million commitment to preserve and support Black-owned restaurants across the country. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
While the footprint is the same, the structure is a complete rebuild and has been thoroughly redesigned along modern lines.
Vaucresson is on a mission and he sees the shop and café as a hub to propel it.
“It’s all about telling the story of our Creole culture and how so much of that comes through food and families, and that’s what you can connect here,” he said. “People out there are yearning for those connections to what once was.”
While the doors are open now and the sausage po-boys are coming off the grill, this new café is making its debut in stages.
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A sampler of sausages shows (from top) Creole hot, crawfish and jerk chicken flavors at Vaucresson's Creole Cafe and Deli in New Orleans. (Staff photo by Ian McNulty, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
Right now it’s serving lunch only while production ramps up and some finishing touches to the café take shape. Vaucresson is working towards a scheduled grand opening on Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving.
He plans to gradually expand the menu from its current slate of po-boys, burgers and appetizers to include more plates and home-style dishes. He also plans to expand hours and hopes to eventually add breakfast.
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Vaucresson's Creole Cafe and Deli has a modern look and long community roots in New Orleans. (Staff photo by Ian McNulty, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
Befitting a heritage business entering a new chapter, the café has a modern feel with many touchpoints to the past. Reclaimed millwork flank an interior lined with large windows looking out on St. Bernard Avenue. From a seat at the diner counter you can watch Vaucresson make the next batch of hot sausage, just like he watched his own father and grandfather back in the day.
Links to the past
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STAFF FILE PHOTO BY ELLIS LUCIA Robert Vaucresson, center, with his sons Vance, left, and Sonny, right, outside their family sausage-making business in 1989 at 1804 St. Bernard Ave.
Vaucresson traces the roots of his family business back to Levinsky Vaucresson, who emigrated to New Orleans from France in 1899. Trained as a butcher, he had a stall at the St. Bernard Market, then part of a network of public food markets.
That market later developed into Circle Food Store, a one-of-a-kind grocery and community hub just two blocks from where Vaucresson’s is located today.
The butcher shop business was passed from one generation to the next and evolved through the years. By 1967 Vance's father, Robert "Sonny" Vaucresson Sr. had also opened a restaurant called Vaucresson's Creole Cafe on Bourbon Street, in what later became part of Pat O'Brien's. It was a rare example of a Black-owned business in the French Quarter in that era.
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STAFF FILE PHOTO BY BRYAN S. BERTEAUX Robert "Sonny" Vaucresson with some of his prize-winning sausage at the 1994 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
When the first Jazz Fest got underway in Congo Square, just outside the French Quarter, Vaucresson's Creole Cafe was one of the vendors that festival organizer George Wein tapped to showcase the flavors of New Orleans for the crowd. Those early crowds were small, but the family stuck with the festival and is now the only food vendor to be part of every Jazz Fest.
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Vaucresson's Creole Cafe and Deli is making a line of house-made mustards in flavors from traditional Creole to mango. (Staff photo by Ian McNulty, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
The opening menu at Vaucresson's Creole Café & Deli has a range of sausage po-boys (Creole hot and Creole chicken, Italian, crawfish, jerk chicken), a shrimp po-boy, the sausage-topped Creole burger, sides like onion rings and fries and appetizers including red beans and sausage dip, boudin balls and a sausage sampler platter.
The deli also stocks a selection of fresh sausage to cook at home.
Vaucresson’s Creole Café & Deli
1800 St. Bernard Ave., (504) 267-3850
Initial hours: Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
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