Just like in the swamps, alligators are lurking everywhere on local menus. The ever-popular shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake at Jacques Imo's features a rich, savory cheesecake served with a Creole mustard and tomato cream sauce. Mulate's Cajun fare includes an appetizer of alligator, with the meat fried, grilled, blackened or smoked to order. The alligator soup remains a favorite way to start a meal at Franky & Johnny's Uptown.

Alligator also stands up to all sorts of accompaniments. At Arnaud's, the alligator sausage is seasoned and served with smoked onion and apple relish and a housemade Creole mustard. Café Pontalba offers alligator either blackened or fried as an appetizer. The wild alligator soup at Bourbon House Seafood and Oyster Bar comes finished with lemon and sherry. Bull's Corner in LaPlace includes fried alligator tenderloin among its "Tastes of South Louisiana." Fried alligator strips are a popular appetizer at Carmine's in Metairie. From the smoker at Hillbilly Bar-B-Q comes an alligator sausage that you can order as just the link, or on a bun. The lunch menu at Savvy Gourmet includes an alligator soup. Ernst Café offers hot hor d'oeuvres, including alligator sausage in mustard cream sauce.