Parkway Bakery

[wilson]

Is this place as good as advertised? What kind of neighborhood is it in?

[jeannkate]

I just got back from my first trip to New Orleans, where I made the trek all the way out to Parkway. I arrived at about 2:00 in the afternoon, and after dropping my things at the hotel, I went directly to Parkway for my first real New Orleans poboy. My friend's flight was delayed by several hours so I had to go alone. I took the Canal streetcar up to Jefferson Davis (there is a bank on the corner). If I recall correctly, Jefferson Davis actually branches into two roads, one of which is Hagan. This was the only confusing part for me as my map seemed to indicate that Hagan was off of Canal. It is not a long walk, but the heat might make it seem like it is, but then, that's true of pretty much everything in New Orleans this time of year. As a female walking alone through that neighborhood, I was a little worried walking over, but once I got the lay of the land, I felt fine walking back. I wouldn't hesitate to make the walk alone again. The roast beef poboy I had was the best that I had in New Orleans.

The funny thing about Parkway is that for as hyped as it is here and on other sites, nobody in New Orleans seems to know where it is. I must have asked atleast 7 people for directions (including two people at the bank on the corner) and nobody had even heard of it.

[asuzc]

We are going for the first time to Parkway next week and I can't wait. I will be sure to report back.

[noradeirdre]

I am currently obsessed with the french fry poboy, dressed, with gravy.

GOD.

[joedontexan]

This is a very important question. Is the Oyster Poboy back on the menu at parkway?

[TulaneJeff]

Not yet -- which is strange IMO. I keep meaning to ask the proprietor what the hold up is.

If pricing is an issue, patrons will still pay the difference.

I hope that they haven't grown accustomed to the simplicity of one fried offering (shrimp).

[joedontexan]

I was afraid that was the case. Is the oyster poboy hard to find in new orleans now? I know that might sound kind of dumb but havent been back for a while and dont know the oyster situation there

[uptownlibrarian]

No, it's not hard. They still have it most places, I don't know why Parkway hasn't reinstated it.

K-Paul's usually has it on their lunch menu: http://www.kpauls.com/site387.php

They still have it at Mena's Palace, Johnny's, etc.

[sirvelvet]

My understanding is that they will not put oysters back on the menu until they can source them locally. I think all the oysters we are getting in NOLA right now are not from Louisiana waters.

[MPasta]

We went to Parkway for lunch today, and it was yummy. I just LOVE the grilled turkey, and like Tulane Jeff says, that is not one of the most obvious things to order. A couple sitting near us were visiting, and asking lots of questions of the employees. With a little subtle eavesdropping :) I learned that they cook their roast beef for 24 hrs. No wonder it's so good! One tip: GO EARLY! Huge difference in the line if you go at 11:30 vs12:30......

[Bill Hunt]

You know, I have never had their turkey. At some other sandwich shops, a "turkey Ruben" is my go-to, even when the chef says that there is no such thing. I give instructions, and we usually end up with a good sandwich. Gotta' try that - but the shrimp and RB are so good, that it might take a few visits.

Still, with the photographs of the old, long-since gone, Pontchartrain Beach photos, I have something to do, while waiting.

Hunt

[kibbles]

id like to try the caprese salad poboy i saw there a couple weeks ago... sounds refreshing

[wilson]

Good info - thanks. We'd be driving from the CBD area.

[joedontexan]

once again walking off the canal street car during the day down jeff davis parkway is super safe, just like being in mamas arms.

[CycleTron]

It's good, but the best roast beef Isandwich I've had in New Orleans is at Houston's on St Charles Avenue. However, Houston's aint no Po Boy shop, so go to Parkway for the real, "authentic" Po Boy experience.

[Bill Hunt]

Tulane Jeff stated it better than I could. Only question that I would have is are you driving, or hoping to take public transit and then walking. The neighborhood on Jeff Davis deteriorates from Canal St. until you get to the Bayou. Along Bayou St. John, things are lovely again, though I would not venture THAT far Riverside from N Hagen St.

Parkway IS worth their hype, IMHO.

Enjoy,

Hunt

[ClevelandRandy]

So Bill - Would you NOT recommend taking the streetcar up Canal St. and walking to Parkway (at lunchtime)?

[Littleman]

Cleveland Randy...........You should take the Canal Street Streetcar to Jefferson. Get off and walk NE 5 blocks to Parkway for lunch. You will not have problems IMO. Jefferson has a boulevard on the left. There are houses on the right going to Parkway the first 3 blocks. The area on your left is more open and less populated. The next two blocks are more open and commercial. If you were to have any problems it would be at night along the first 3 blocks which is residential. I could see some thugs hanging out in that area at night but they won't be active during the day. I would walk back to Canal and take the Streetcar back to FQ or walk back on Canal. I would not walk SE to the FQ from Parkway in the daytime. I walk around the FQ and CBD quite often but not at night.

Take the streetcar to Jefferson and walk for lunch. Come back the same way. Have fun.

[ClevelandRandy]

Thanks, Littleman! Having been the victim of a random act of violence once in New Orleans (in the Marigny - involving brass knuckles and my face), I'm pretty wary.

[Bill Hunt]

Littleman has described the neighborhood very well. While I am a person, who enjoys walking, I would do this for lunch only. It is a tree-shaded walk, and not that far.

Though I lived in NO for years, and grew up in its shadow, I am less likely to just roam about now (and this goes back to before Katrina), than in my youth.

Enjoy,

Hunt

[ClevelandRandy]

Thanks Hunt. I always enjoy and learn from your postings on this board, and particularly love your comment about Galatoire's. I was hoping you'd weigh in on my recent posting (if you have a moment to do so): http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7363...

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Galatoire's Restaurant
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130

[Bill Hunt]

Just stopped by that thread.

Hunt

[Mytah]

Awww come on Bill..Your packin serious heat arent you???

[Bill Hunt]

Uh, normally... but avoidance is my motto.

Hunt

[txgirl]

Go with your instinct but I would probably just take a cab instead - nobody else is apt to be so blunt but that is my honest opinion. Parkway poboys, however, are well worth the cab fare.

[kibbles]

there is really no danger in walking to Parkway from the streetcar for lunch. i have never ever heard of anyone having any problems of any kind. one is much more likely to get into an auto accident.

[nomadchowwoman]

Kibbles is absolutely right. It is extremely safe.
Why would anyone not be blunt? I doubt anyone wants the OP to risk his/her safety!

[N.O.Food]

You don't get off at Jefferson. Jefferson Avenue, often referred to simply as "Jefferson," is on the St. Charles streetcar line. You get off the Canal line at Jefferson Davis Parkway, or "Jeff Davis" as it's known.

[Littleman]

Thanks for your directions NO. The OP is going on the Canal Street streetcar and not the St. Charles Avenue streetcar. The Canal Street steetcar will not take him to the Jefferson Avenue you mention. I think the OP is knowledgeable enough to get off at Jefferson Davis. I said Jefferson to abbreviate Jefferson Davis Parkway. Just like other folks abbreviate FQ, CBD et al. Thanks again for your kind corrections. They are greatly appreciated. Good luck.

[N.O.Food]

No problem. Just clarifying.

[kibbles]

cleveland - you will not have any safety problems traveling at lunchtime. middle of the nite, stumbling drunk, may be a different story, but for lunch its fine.

[ClevelandRandy]

Thanks, all, for the advice. I hate to sound paranoid, but I want to be smart.

[lenwood]

Jeff Davis is a wide street with a beautiful and wide neutral ground (median for you non-natives). Once this street ends its about a half block further. It's not a perfectly safe neighborhood, so I agree with the day vs. night.

[TulaneJeff]

It definitely lives up to its reputation. Located just off Bayou St. John, the neighborhood is beautiful and definitely worth exploring. Take a walk down the bayou toward Esplanade after lunch.

Their po' boys are prepared with skill on Leidenheimer French bread which is delivered 2-3 times a day. You can see the giant bags of loaves stacked in the hall behind the kitchen.

Order at the bar for a full service experience, or wait in the line at the counter window -- it moves quickly. Fried shrimp is a classic, but definitely check out the less obvious options -- grilled turkey, hot sausage, alligator sausage links. The turkey and alligator sausage gumbo is worth sharing with a po' boy. Or an order of cheese fries with cheese and roast beef gravy.

Parkway is my top po' boy establishment -- slightly edging out Crabby Jack's.

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Crabby Jacks
428 Jefferson Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70121

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