Muffuletta + Gumbo at Mezzo Matto
Reviewed by Steve Cannon
Mezzo Matto is the Bozeman, Montana home of the Muffuletta (pronounced muff-a-lotta), one of New Orleans' great sandwiches. A circular loaf of soft Italian bread sliced horizontally and piled with salami, ham, and provolone, which are in turn topped with a wickedly spicy mélange of chopped green and black olives fragrant with garlic and olive oil. This Louisiana delicacy is actually the size of four normal-size sandwiches; accordingly, it is served quartered.
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Reviewed by Eric Barnes
Only ever having heard it by name and its excellent reputation, I was uncertain what to expect with Mezzo Matto's gumbo. However, without a doubt, it lived up to its reputation. It was wickedly (to steal from Steve's vocabulary) good. The gumbo, only served on Fridays, consists of a thick stock full of chicken, sausage, vegetables and topped on rice. The taste was intense without being overly spicy and just salty enough to go hand-in-hand with a side of sliced French-style bread. I highly recommend checking it out.
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Reviewed by Craig Dugas
I, too, enjoyed a flavor-packed bowl of home-style gumbo. Ken suggested a few dashes of the mild jalapeño Tabasco - perfect. Both reviews above are spot-on, so I'll save you from regurgitation of the same info and bring it local. Mezzo Matto is off the beaten path, quite a few blocks from Main and the building looks like an open storage unit garage. That's fine by me - they make amazing food and don't charge "downtown prices." The food shop is run by a husband and wife team (Ken and Stephanie) who are very friendly, great cooks and quite proud of their Louisianan heritage. I'll note that I went there a few times last year for breakfast pastries and they make delicious beignets, caramel-filled chewy cookies, and you'd be insane not to try the made-to-order cannolis (insert drool here).
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Shortly after lunch, we read this tweet by Joseph Money - it is included as a Micro-Review
As per usual, here are some photos of the Gumbo (and included bread), and the restaurant.
