The 12 Best Po' Boys in New Orleans
Picking the best po' boy in New Orleans is like trying to settle on your favorite child. If you don't have children, it's like trying to choose your favorite HBO series, or jumpsuit, or Instagram dog. On some level, every choice is the right choice. In the Big Easy, it's nearly impossible to get a bad po' boy. There's simply varying degrees of awesomeness here, from good to great to godly served in settings as varied as the sandwiches themselves (hello 24-hour bodega). Here are a dozen of New Orleans' very best to try. Eat them all see where you come down.
GettyrestaurantGuy's Po-Boys
$The wait at Guy's is clearly worth it—you know, because everyone's too busy housing their po' boy to even breathe. Keep it classic with a fully dressed, and thoughtfully fried, shrimp po' boy, and don't forget to tip Marvin—the 'guy,' himself, and fryer tender.
restaurantAvery's on Tulane
$At Avery’s you’ll immediately feel like you’re part of a family. And it’s a family that enjoys the good things in life, like a Buffalo Shrimp po’ boy that’ll impress even the most die-hard purist. At this purveyor of the po' boy new school, unlikely, but delicious, combinations dominate the menu. Case in point: If you thought Gulf oysters and roast beef can’t go together, well, you’re wrong. They also throw on some bacon for good measure. And did we mention the six-dollar Bloody Marys?
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Crabby Jack's
$A charming hole-in-the-wall where the food speaks for itself, Crabby Jack’s makes overstuffed po’ boys big enough for two people and daring enough to impress NOLA's discerning foodies. Don’t leave without trying the slow-roasted duck sandwich, where the gravy soaks perfectly into the French roll that’s just managing to hold it all together. If seafood is more your speed, try another of their signature po’ boys, featuring a shrimp remoulade that’s equal parts sophisticated and decadent.
Courtesy Mahony's Po-Boys & SeafoodrestaurantMahony's Po-Boys & Seafood
$The French Quarter location of Mahony's features an expanded menu and freshly shucked oysters, but the main draw is the same as its Uptown flagship: po' boy flavor profiles you won't find anywhere else. Good luck deciding between sandwiches like fried chicken livers cut with a Creole coleslaw and mustard vinaigrette; a "Peacemaker" combo of fried gulf shrimp and oysters, buoyed with cheddar cheese and bacon; and root beer-braised short ribs, rounded out by fried onion rings, arugula, tomatoes, and garlic aioli. If you're looking to make sense of the small but mighty new-school po' boy scene, Mahony's and the nearby Killer Po' Boys make for quite an appetite-crushing sandwich crawl.
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Liuzza's By the Track
$Known as a haunt for those betting on the horse races nearby, the BBQ po’ boys and “world famous” Bloody Marys are really what keep us coming back. Highlights include a horseradish-heavy roast beef and barbecue shrimp varieties. If you're an outsider, you’ll immediately be spotted as one in this locals-mostly hangout, but don’t let that deter you; it’s the kind of place where everyone’s up for a chat and everyone has opinions on where you should go next.
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Dong Phuong Bakeshop
$It's easy to understand the acclaim of Dong Phuong Bakeshop when you bite into one of the banh mi sandwiches, especially an ethereal, meaty blend of French cold cuts, butter, mayo, and pate. The bread itself, crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, is so beloved that it's also used by other po' boy purveyors throughout the city. If you're here around Mardi Gras, Dong Phuong's heavenly King Cakes are also worth cramming into your carry-on.
Courtesy Walker's Southern Style BBQrestaurantWalker's Southern Style BBQ
$The cochon de lait po’ boy that features at Walker's is always one of the first items to sell out at Jazz Fest, and with one bite you'll know why. Filled with pork so succulent it disappears as soon as it hits your tongue, this po’ boy warrants regular pilgrimages from any BBQ aficionado worth their weight in smoked meat. While Walker's itself is a little bit of a drive outside of central NOLA, you won’t regret the brief road trip.
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R&O's
$No-frills R & O’s offers a menu that is sure to please everyone—including the pickiest of kids. But don’t get overwhelmed by the variety. Zero in on the roast beef po’ boy, then get ready for a gravy-drenched meat extravaganza that will put you straight into a state of dazed bliss. Post-sandwich nap encouraged. We’re not kidding: This thing is straight-up therapeutic.
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Verti Marte
$Instagram-ready sandwich shop this is not. Verti Marte is a little counter in the back of a French Quarter bodega, and it's legit. The sandwich to snag here is the All That Jazz po' boy, a saucy kitchen sink combo of grilled ham, turkey, shrimp, American and Swiss cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes, and a mustard-spiked "wow sauce." We hear it gets better as the night wears on. The place is open 24/7 and has seen it all here in NOLA's home of hedonism.
Kylie McDonaldrestaurantKiller PoBoys
$The focus at Killer PoBoys is on local ingredients and international inspirations, both embodied in the bánh mì baguettes sourced from a local Vietnamese bakery. The flavors on offer will astound you, and if you haven’t had a po’ boy for breakfast yet, here’s the place to give it a shot (hello, cheddar omelette sandwich). There are also vegan options available, a rarity in the world of po’ boy shops.
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Bear's Poboys at Gennaro's
$Bear's signature po' boy is pulled from a family recipe that's been passed down like a prized heirloom. The beef is roasted in-house and chilled before slicing and shaving it against the grain, then dipped in an au jus pot for the perfect gravy-mayo-Swiss cheese ratio. Hand-battered onion rings with homemade remoulade sauce are the perfect sandwich companion.
Brian JarreaurestaurantParkway Bakery & Tavern
$Yes, Parkway’s disproportionately popular with tourists, but with a history that stretches back over a hundred years, it attracts those crowds for a reason. Parkway’s fried shrimp and roast beef po’ boys are iconic. Just make sure to take full advantage of that toppings bar if you want to take them up to eleven. Because of its storied history, there will be lines, always, but to be honest, that’s also integral to the whole experience.
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