The Muffaletta

From the French Quarter to the Heartland

The Muffaletta has deep roots in New Orleans' rich culinary history, born in the early 1900s at Central Grocery on Decatur Street. Salvatore Lupo, a Sicilian immigrant, created this masterpiece to feed the working folks who gathered around his store. It's a sandwich built on the simple principle that quality ingredients, when combined thoughtfully, can create something greater than the sum of their parts–a philosophy that resonates deeply with our approach at White or Wheat.

Layers of Authentic Flavor

Our Muffaletta stays true to the New Orleans tradition while reflecting our commitment to quality and craftsmanship:

• Hand-rolled Bread: A soft, round loaf that holds all these incredible flavors together

• Premium Meats: Genoa salami, deli ham, and mortadella–each bringing its own character to the sandwich

• Double Cheese: Creamy mozzarella and sharp provolone that melt beautifully together

• Our Homemade Olive Tapenade: The heart and soul of any true Muffaletta–more on this below!

Each layer is carefully considered, creating a sandwich that's both substantial and balanced, exactly what you'd expect from a sandwich designed to fuel hard-working people through their day.

Our Olive Tapenade: The Secret to Authenticity

What truly makes a Muffaletta special isn't just the meats and cheeses: it's the olive tapenade that brings everything together. At White or Wheat, we craft our tapenade fresh in-house, honoring the traditional recipe while adding our own careful touch.

We start with a blend of green and black olives, each contributing different notes of brininess and depth. Pepperoncini peppers add sweetness and color, while celery provides a fresh crunch. Capers bring little bursts of tartness, and we finish with a blend of herbs and just enough olive oil to bind everything together.

This isn't just a condiment, it's the flavor foundation that transforms a collection of ingredients into a true Muffaletta. Every batch is made with the same care and attention we bring to everything at White or Wheat.

Where New Orleans Meets Nebraska

There's something beautifully midwestern about embracing a sandwich with such deep cultural roots. Just as New Orleans has always been a melting pot of influences–French, Spanish, Italian, and African–Nebraska has its own tradition of welcoming flavors and traditions from around the world and making them part of our community.

Our Muffaletta represents this spirit of openness and appreciation for authentic craftsmanship. It's a sandwich that honors its origins while finding a new home in our Nebraska kitchen.

A Sandwich with Stories to Tell

The Muffaletta isn't just food, it's a piece of American culinary history. Every bite connects you to the bustling streets of the French Quarter, to the immigrant families who brought their traditions to new shores, and to the simple truth that the best sandwiches are born from necessity, perfected through care, and shared with community.

Whether you've walked the streets of New Orleans or you're discovering this classic for the first time, our Muffaletta offers a taste of something authentic and timeless.

Stop by White or Wheat to experience this legendary sandwich for yourself. It's the kind of creation that reminds us why food is so much more than sustenance–it's culture, history, and community all wrapped up in something wonderfully delicious.

As with everything we serve, our goal remains simple: to help you rediscover the simplest days with each bite, even when those days take you on a culinary journey to the heart of New Orleans.