Best Po Boy in New Orleans?

[FoodDude23]

I'm doing a documentary on New Orleans Po Boys and am wondering if folks could give me a list of their top 3 Po Boy restaurants. Also if anyone knows where I can contact a shrimp boat captain, I'm looking to get in touch with one. Thanks!

[chanterelle]

I have tried many of these listed, and my new favorite is the fried pork chop po-boy at Sammy's Food Service and Deli on Elysian Fields. Succulent, peppery goodness.

[kibbles]

just had Sammy's for the first time -- at Orleans Parish Criminal Court jury duty, of all places! somebody there is a fan so its "on the list". saw the pork chop but went w/ a trout dish instead which was pretty good.

ill have to try the pork chop poboy.

[shanefink]

Sammy's Deli is great. If you're a fan of places like Mandina's and Joey K's, this place has great homestyle cooking with a large selection of daily specials. Their sides are amazing as well. It's only open till 6 Mon-Sat and it's not known for atmosphere, although it isn't dingy or anything like that. Next time you need to go to Loew's, go to the one on Elysian Fields and stop in at Sammy's for lunch.

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Mandina's Restaurant
3800 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Joey K's Restaurant & Bar
3001 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

[mcegielski]

have to chime in on this although this thread is old it is too much fun!

Roast Beef

Parasol's
Ignatius
Russell's Short Stop
Bear's

Shrimp

Verti Mart (biggest shrimp in a shrimp po boy)
Bear's
Commerce restaurant
Johnny's

turkey

world deli
mother's (like day after thanksgiving turkey!)

Meatball

world deli

Oyster

casamento's

mother's gets a bad wrap. sure a little pricey and very touristy but damn good product. the turkey is great. the roast beef debris is great. someone tell me otherwise!

never been to parkway. on my list but keep forgettin'

russell's short stop in metairie has great everything and the prices are best anywhere.

ignatius roast beef, parasol's roast beef both to die for. bear's is different but so good. russell's melts in your mouth.

god i love a good po boy. i buy roast beef ones sometimes and drench them in hot giardinera peppers to give me an italian beef from chicago feeling. at russell's they will sell the beef by the "scoop." during football season i will get 10-12 scoops and add olive oil, oregano, garlic, and plenty of crushed red pepper and it come slcose to a chi-style italian beef. no tomatoe, lettuce, pickles or mayo though. just meat on bread and giardinera.

however most times i have to go with how it is meant to be-dressed all the way. sometimes i miss chi town italian beefs though and try to replicate!

[kibbles]

I'll say otherwise since you requested it -- Mother's rb poboy is terrible. a watery, soggy, flavorless mess. the debris story is a good one back from their glory days under the original owner selling poboys to hungry longshore men, but those days (and owners) are long past.

have not tried the turkey tho.

[hazelhurst]

You raise a point that is, I think, valid. The "debirs" po-boy can be a fine thing BUT, I am quick to add, is not what I think of as The Real Deal. "debris" is easy to make...just ignore it for hours. The good debris will be the left-over of the original beef. It is hard to find a real ropast beef po-bot now, wherein the beef is sliced thin and is a recognizable piece of meat....the ones at Parasol's and at [sorry to make you cry, Bill Hunt] at Acy's, were toothsome things that someone on their third set of dentures could get through with delight. Nowadays, joints foist the "debris: sandwich as a feature rather than a left-over. Ain't nothing wrong with debris---but it had to have a decent roast from which to descend.

[mcegielski]

if you make it to mandeville ever check out bear's. it is a recognizable piece of meat. it is tender and quite succulent.

[hazelhurst]

Thanks..that's a new one on me. I assume the bread is worth a damn. Any idea who makes it?

[Bill Hunt]

I type, with tears flowing freely. A debris po-boy can be a work of arr, if all the elements are in place. As a big fan of a great RB po-boy, and possibly a good, returning patron at several purveyors of such, most "regular" RB po-boys contained "debris." Most of my RB's were about half debris, and half French-dip sandwiches. That was what I grew up with.

Hunt, typing through the tears...

[Bill Hunt]

You know, some of these older threads might well help a new comer to this board, so I say post! It's about helping share with other CH's.

I might pick some other spots, but the more info, with recs., the better.

Hunt

[missanusha]

Tried Parkway this past weekend and LOVED it! Just wanted to thank Chowhounders for the suggestions - never would have run across this place without you guys.

[noradeirdre]

We were there this weekend too! Loved it.

Gotta try Crabby Jack's for sure- just passed it by the other day while getting lost on the way someplace else.

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Crabby Jacks
428 Jefferson Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70121

[Bill Hunt]

I've not had the full menu, but have greatly enjoyed all that I have had. They brought back memories of many long-gone restaurants, that were near, and dear to my heart.

Enjoyable,

Hunt

[adamold]

I really love the BBQ Shrimp Po Boy from Boucherie.

[Bill Hunt]

After many great, albeit diverse comments, I have a second documentary for you - a series on what ex-pats think is the best po-boy and what they miss most about New Orleans cuisine, since they moved to ________.

Hope the project goes well, and please post a trailer, or where we might see your work. When not rambling on about wine and food, I spend much of the rest of my time helping people edit their videos on the Adobe fora.

Good luck,

Hunt

[Jeeves_too]

Domilese's
NOLA Grocery
Radosta's (Metairie)

[ghc630]

Parran's, you can't go wrong.
Mr. Ed's has wonderful po boys's.
Casemento's, but for their meals not the po boy's although good.

[joedontexan]

Parkway, crabby jacks, domilises.

[gastrotect]

I will say Parkway and Crabby Jack's are my top two in no particular order. Then I can't decide on a third, but Parasol's, Domilise's, and Johnny's all rank high in my opinion.

[Bocuse NOLA]

Duck at Crabby Jack's
Roast Beef, Shrimp or Surf n' Turf at Parkway
Cochon de Lait at Walker's
Oyster at Bozo's
Grilled Shrimp at Guy's
Soft Shell Crab at Galley Seafood

I would also throw in the oyster at Casamento's, but they are closed for the summer and the sandwich does not really count as a "po-boy" - but I still love the pan bread. Hell, I think some of the banh mi around town might be some of the best po-boys in the area if they meet the criteria.

http://blackenedout.blogspot.com/

[PEDE]

Joey K's on Magazine is an excellent place for a large cold beer in a frosted mug. Clay is the owner and knows how to make you feel welcome. His red beans are incredible as are his onion rings.
Comeback Inn has a great poyboys but their onion rings are what really keeps me coming back.

[thecajunfoodie]

Best po boy covers a LOT of ground. Interestingly, our ongoing poll for best shrimp po boy in the state currently is led by three places outside of NO:

Blake's (Thibodaux) (36.0%, 27 Votes)
Olde Tyme Grocery (Lafayette) (19.0%, 14 Votes)
Danny & Clyde's (in a city near you) (18.0%, 13 Votes)
Parkway Tavern (New Orleans) (18.0%, 13 Votes)
Domilise's (New Orleans) (12.0%, 9 Votes)
Crabby Jack's (New Orleans) (11.0%, 8 Votes)
Felix's (New Orleans) (8.0%, 6 Votes)
Short Stop Po boys(Metairie) (7.0%, 5 Votes)
George's (Baton Rouge) (5.0%, 4 Votes)
Rocco's Po boys (Baton Rouge) (4.0%, 3 Votes)
Harry's (Larose) (4.0%, 3 Votes)
1921 Seafood (Houma) (3.0%, 2 Votes)
Village Cafe (Maurice) (1.0%, 1 Votes)
Le Cafe (Breaux Bridge) (1.0%, 1 Votes)
Bear's (Covington) (1.0%, 1 Votes)

That being said, if looking for one of the big three (oyster, shrimp, and roast beef) "in New Orleans," I would go with:

Shrimp- Parkway/ Crabby Jack's
Oyster- Parkway/ Domilise's
Roast Beef- Parkway/Parasol's

Really, Parkway could be a "one stop shop." Feeling adventurous, get the Surf and Turf.

Oh, and one more thing, as nikinik alluded to earlier... all hail the CDL po boy at Walker's!

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www.thecajunfoodie.com

[N.O.Food]

Ha! I'm proud of my top three nola picks! Always good to be backed up by social "science."

Amen on Olde Tyme Grocery. The place rocks. Have to try Blake's next time I'm down that way.

[phortisque]

If you go to Thibodaux, try the Frostop on Canal Blvd. On the 308 side of the bayou. Wan't sloppy? This is it! Great taste too.

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Frostop Restaurant
3001 Ormond Blvd Ste H, Destrehan, LA 70047

[underworld gourmet]

How could I have forgotten Rags in Covington? Magnificent poboys--I guess it was because teh original question sort of limited it to NO. I have never had a bad po-boy there. Considering the lunch crowd--mob would be a better term--the locals agree.

[nikinik]

Ham & Cheese: DiMartino's
Roast Beef: Magazine PoBoy Shop
Soft-Shell Crab: Middendorf's
Cochon du Lait: Walker's (NO East)
Duck, Shrimp or Oyster: Crabby Jack's

[underworld gourmet]

Many, many---in general, I like Donewar's in Gretna (see my post of 5-09 under "holes in wall", Very fine for stuff like meatball and sausage of various kinds

Southern Po-Boy at Claiborne Court and Jeff. Hwy is also very good, excellent sloppy roast beef.

Parrans on Vets Hwy--superb all around.

These are simply ones unmentioned by the previous posters. Most of their recommendations are quite sound, particularly for Parasol's. For your documentary, Donewar's can have good local color.

[roro1831]

I used to go to Southern years ago, I drove by it during my last visit but had no time to stop, I recall it being very good

[hazelhurst]

Catchinga captain can be problematic---I'd have to check with a couple to see if they;d be interested and I have no idea where they are right niow..Best bet, I think, is to talk to the guys at the dock and get the word out. this must happen often enough. Dean Blanchard's in Grand Isle would bea good place to start. I accidentally washed my business card from them but it shoudl be easy to get the nu,ber.

[FoodDude23]

I'll try those. Yeah sometimes it's best to go down to the docks and see what's brewing.

[N.O.Food]

I'm not going to get into who has the best particular poboy because sometimes they are not found at a poboy "restaurant." In keeping with your request, I think the three best places that focus on poboys are (in no particular order): parkway, Crabby Jack's, and Domilise's. Guy's gets an honorable mention. Keep in mind that there are awful poboys even at these places. For example, the roast beef at Domilise's is terrible, but overall, I'd say these three are the best places to get a poboy.

Call the "tracie macie" if you want to get in touch with a shrimp boat. 985-855-6122 If the number has changed or you have any problems, let me know. Shrimping season started yesterday so it might be a chore getting in touch with them right now. Good luck

[FoodDude23]

Perfect. Thanks a lot for the shrimp boat contact.

[25dollars]

I love Parasol's for a roast beef, Domilise's for oyster, and I really love Boucherie's duck confit poyboy with cinnamon pickled carrots and candied pecans.

[mrsfury]

Nola Grocery
Parasol
Parkway

[roro1831]

Well I would add Zimmer's as well. At one point it was my #1 for roast beef, but wasn't quite the same when it reopened post K. I didn't get a chance to stop by there on my last visit.

I really like Crabby Jack's French Fry poboy

[uptownlibrarian]

I really like Zimmer's shrimp, too. It's probably not in my top 5 list, but maybe top 10. I definitely always stop by when I'm in the neighborhood.

[roro1831]

I'll give my recs for a roast beef, for some reason I do not like fried seafood poboys, I prefer the seafood on its own.

1) R&O's in Bucktown
2) Parkway
3) Shortstop in Metairie

As only one is technically in New Orleans, I hope your quest brings you into Jefferson

[FoodDude23]

Wow!!! This is a great help! Thanks everyone for your input. I have a couple of other places I was hoping to get opinions on. They are: Mother's (this seems to be a touristy type place), Ugelsich's and Franky and Johnny's.

[edible complex]

Uglesich's is closed.
Mother's is on the tourist map and has received polarizing reviews.

[Sean P C]

My vote is for Crabby Jack's. There is always a line out the door, but they make the best shrimp or oyster po'boys. I would definitely check it out.

[edible complex]

love the duck po boy at Crabby Jack's.

[ScarlettNola]

Mother's Roast beef, gravy and debris is pretty good-I am just not that into Mother's. Franky and Johnny's soft shell crab po boy is YUMMY(another Favorite)
Ugelsich's closed a while back

[Bill Hunt]

The feelings on Mother's are fairly polarized on this board. Some love it, and hold it as the epitome. Others just "don't get it." I happen to be one of the latter, but will admit that it has been years, since I was last there. In the late '70s, my studio was just around the corner. Many of the folk there loved it, so we ate there more, than I'd have chosen. Never had anything to get me back.

As EC points out, Uglesich's is no more. It was good, in my book.

You might want to look at the DVD sets that are available from WYES (PBS channel 12). They have several DVD's on the restaurants of New Orleans, some gone, some still around. Might be some research material there. Link to their store:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/37xkpl (with preview) Keep scrolling from the bottom of the page for their restaurant shows. Many will be more interesting to folk, who grew up in NOLA and dined at many of these.

Good luck on your project,

Hunt

[JazzyB]

Oyster: Bozos, 21St. Metairie
shrimp: Parkway
RB: Johnny's, LiuzzaBTT breathtaking RB

[Bill Hunt]

Po-boys are a deceptively broad subject. In the NOLA hall of po-boy fame, one can have roast beef, shrimp, soft-shelled crab, oyster, and many more. The "best" even if you do a survey of 1,000 locals will likely differ for each type.

For historical perspective, I'll give you my choices:

Roast beef:
1.) Franks's Delicatessen, Decatur Street, when Frank still had the steam table and his mother-in-law was cooking the RB. Restaurant still there, but greatly changed.
2.) Acy's Pool Hall, Magazine Street, long gone.
3.) Parkway Bakery and Tavern, N. Hagen Street. Of the still-operating restaurants, this is my favorite.

Shrimp:
1.) Marquez Brothers, Chef Hwy. Long since gone.
2.) Felix's Bourbon Street and Iberville Street. Still in operation.
3.) Lakeview Inn, on Haynes Blvd. Do not know if they are still open.
4.) Come-Back-Inn, West Metairie Rd. in Metairie. Still open.

Oysters:
1.) Felix's (see above)
2.) Casamento's, Magazine St. Still open.

Soft-shelled crab:
Seasonal, so it is likely to change by the particular season.

Good luck,

Hunt

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Casamento's Restaurant
4330 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Parkway Bakery & Tavern
538 Hagan Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Frank's Restaurant
933 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Come Back Inn
8016 W Metairie Ave, Metairie, LA 70003

Felix's Restaurant & Oyster
739 Iberville St, New Orleans, LA 70130

[PEDE]

Parasol's is THE place for the best roast beef poboy! The experience alone, depending on time of day, is worth it. Noone mentioned Domilice's on Annunciation Street.They are a unique place in an area only locals know about. I have never eaten a bad poyboy there yet.The shrimp is my fav. Keep in mind, the key to an excellent poyboy is the bread!!!
If you are in Quarter, go to Johnny's poyboys on St.Louis Street. It is worth the wait (sometimes a lot quicker than it looks!), not expensive and a great place to sightsee. Most times, we take the food to go and walk to the levee and watch the boats go by. However, don't do this at night during the summer. (termite swarming season is here!) ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[edible complex]

Debris Style Roast Beef from Rivershack Tavern
Fried Oyster from RiverPond Seafood
Fried Soft Shell Parm from R&O's
but I'll take a Meatball Dressed w/lots of red gravy, swiss, and a Barq's for a wicked overhang from too many to mention places.

[ScarlettNola]

My favorites are:
Roast beef at Parasol's
Oyster or Fried Shrimp Po Boy at Parkway Bakery and Tavern
BBQ Shrimp Po Boy at Liuzza's by the Track
Mahony's Peachmaker Po boy
What a great quest! Have fun and good luck!

[coolfoodie]

Hey Dude,

I live in NOLA and my 3 faves are the fried oyster poboy at Casamento's (they close during the hot summer months), the fried shrimp at Parkway Bakery & Tavern and the green tomato/shrimp roumelade at Mahony's. Good luck.

[stevuchan]

Was being chauffeured around in a cab on late Tuesday afternoon looking for a po boy, Parkway closed, Cassamento's closed (too late), and just caught a break and ended up at Mahony's, the fried green tomato and shrimp remolade po boy was outstanding.

[gingerb]

Saw the plug for Mahony's on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and had to go! Biggest disappointment. It was about 2:30 on a Saturday, place not full. I wanted a poboy "to go", walk up to the order desk and place my order for the Shrimp and Fried Green tomato 1/2 poboy on their "seeded" bread which was boasted about on the outdoor chalkboard. Had to wait 1/2 hr. and after paying $13 and change for a 1/2 sandwich I leave. Get home, no seeded bread, tomatoes about 1/2" thick sliced, hard on the center and too tangy (not mascerated in butter milk before for frying for tenderizing and taste quality). Shrimp were good; smelled good and sauce was good. Overall a thumbs down for me. too bad and very sad I think I got ripped off. :(

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Mahony's
3454 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA

Mahony's PO Boy Shop
3454 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

[Bruinbud]

Mahony;s for a great variety of Po Boys is wonderful. Try the Burger (ground sausage), Oyster roumelade, and Shrimp with or without green tomato.
Magazine St Po Boys for the Roast Beef.
Yum Yum

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Mahony's
3454 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA