I haven't traveled to many faraway lands and eaten exotic food I couldn't pronounce that may or may not have been illegal in the US. I have, however, lived in New Orleans, where alligator is on the menu more often than you'd think. If you want to see two weird things I've eaten (and loved), read on...
Most common is to see alligator meat made into sausage and grilled or crumbled into dishes. One of the most unique is the Alligator Sausage Cheesecake at Jacques-Imo's restaurant.
It's a wedge of cheesy, creamy, spicy "cheesecake" (more like a very rich quiche) studded with chunks of alligator. Delicious.
Alligator sausage is also pretty popular on po' boys. My favorite was a barbecue version, where the sausage was split and grilled, then topped with barbecue sauce and melted cheese.
So, what does alligator taste like, exactly? Well, a lot like sausage. Isn't that always the case with odd, not-so-familiar foods? How many exotic things are described as, "Tastes like chicken"? But when combined with the Cajun seasonings of New Orleans, it really did just blend in as a savory, juicy, meaty flavor. Not too tough, but not as tender as a pork sausage.
Unfortunately, alligator isn't something I can pick up at Whole Foods. And I'm not sure I'd want to if I could. It only seems fitting to eat it in Louisiana, under a very hot sun, not far from a swamp.
Related: The Most Exotic Food I've Ever Eaten is an Egg
(Image: Flickr members Ryan Somma, Mills Baker, and infrogmation, licensed for use under Creative Commons)
On Saying No to Paleo: Why Eating Isn't One Size Fits All
Perfect Summer Cocktail Recipe: Honey Bourbon Lemonade
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Elizabeth Apron fro...
DIY Idea: Concrete Pendant Lamp
Danielle's Charming, Classic Walk-Up
I cooked some up last summer when I was in South Carolina. I thought it was quite tasty. Very mild, if I remember correctly.
Funny, I've been researching for a trip to New Orleans next week and I just saw another mention of this dish last night - it must be fate!
If anyone has other suggestions for where to find unusual local flavors, I'd love to know about them!
Thank you! I visited New Orleans for the first time in January, and fell in love with the entire experience - but most importantly I fell in love with the cuisine! I did NOT try alligator, but thank you so much for this post - I will have to put alligator on my list of what to try when I manage to make it back to Nawlins.
I've lived in Louisiana my entire life and alligator is mostly fair food. Alligator bites, alligator on a stick, alligator po'boys and gumbo all spring to mind. Pretty good, sometimes a little gamey, depending on whether the gator was raised or wild.
The American Alligator has only been off the endangered species list since the late '80s, so it's still important to make sure that your gator was sustainably caught.
mmmm fried alligator bite and remoulade sauce.