Current reports on Mahony's?

[ClevelandRandy]

I read several threads from a while back which showed quite a divergence of opinion on Mahony's. Some loved it, and others complained about surly service, skimpy portions and very long wait times. Since these things are subject to change, I wondered what the current experiences are. I had my first poboy ever last year at Parkway and loved the sandwich (fried shrimp) but thought I'd try something different this trip. No car, so Mahony's seemed like a reasonable walk from the St. Charles streetcar. Plus the "Peacemaker" sounded intriguing.

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Mahony's
3454 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA

[Celery]

I went for an early lunch end of June and liked it. Yes, it's an ez walk from the St Charles streetcar. No wait - but it was like 11-11:30 am on a weekday. Good softshell crab, I liked the 6 inch size because it left room for dessert. The fries/onion rings portions were ridiculous huge.

Sno Wizard isn't far from there on Magazine for a sno ball - but they were my least favorite from the week. Definately try and get to Hansen's, although with no car not sure best way to get there.

[sanglier]

That's what I've always told people too, Celery: go to Mahony's before 12:00 and you won't have any wait issues. No different than any number of other busy places. I think this "one hour wait" reputation is undeserved, based on recent visits.

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Mahony's
3454 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA

[kibbles]

but 30 minutes is still highly unusual for a poboy joint. even Johnny's in the quarter during peak tourist lunch hour is about 15 max, worst case. i cant think of a single other poboy shop that has 30-60 minute waits.

[sanglier]

You get what you wait for. I'd wait 15 more minutes for a Mahnoy's sandwich than one from Johnny's any time.

[texasredtop]

Exactly, I want a great po-boy, even if it does take an hour. If Mahony's is better than Johnny's fried shrimp po-boy then it must be heaven. But I can understand that people wouldn't want to wait that long if they are there for their lunch break and have to be back at work.

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Mahony's
3454 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA

[kibbles]

I wouldn't say Mahoney's is any better than Johnny's, in fact I prefer the shrimp at Johnny's and in general have no complaints other than not liking their RB offering. fresh bread, generous portion, speedy, friendly service. what's not to like? inversely I have been disappointed with several offerings at Mahoney's, it's slow, and service could be improved.

I do really like the anise meatball w/ fresh moz poboy at Mahoney's, tho. that's probably the only thing I'd go back for.

[sanglier]

Better ingredients put to more creative use than Johnny's. Nothing wrong with Johnny's, but unless I find myself near St. Louis, not worth seeking out. We just disagree, makes food debates so much fun.

[kibbles]

yeah guess so, i completely disagree with you there -- not many good poboy shopsi n the quarter, and Johnny's is definitely top of the list. i had a one at Verti Marte the other nite and while the contents were fine, the bread was soft and mushy. if one is in the quarter and wants a classic shrimp or oyster on real new orleans french, i cant think of a better place to send them than Johnny's.

[sanglier]

I think I've given the impression that I don't like Johnny's, but I do. It's just that I prefer Mahony's and, given their location vs. Johnny's, I've had a lot more sandwiches there. But I wouldn't suggest that anyone avoid Johnny's, no.

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Mahony's
3454 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA

[Bovina]

I just recently blogged about it here- http://bovinadoesbourbon.blogspot.com...
The run down: good food, long wait, overpriced.

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

[Mytah]

1 hr. for poboy at those prices? I'll pass.

[ClevelandRandy]

I agree. It's a sandwich, after all. It's one thing to say that good food takes time, but one hour when the place wasn't that busy to begin with just says that the kitchen lacks basic competence.

[midcity]

I'm one of the people who has posted previously about Mahony's. I like their food, but I've had some really bad experiences with service. I will say that if you get a 6" plus the onion rings or fries [I prefer the onion rings--shoestring-thin and crispy] it's quite filling.

If you're looking to walk from the St. Charles streetcar, there are two other options that you might want to try, Guy's Po-Boys at Magazine and Valmont [open until 4, cash only], just off Jefferson Avenue, or Domilise's Po-Boys at Bellecastle and Annunciation, which is pretty close to Hansen's. I prefer both of these places to Mahony's. The food is great, and the service is reliably friendly.

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Mahony's
3454 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA

[midcity]

I should add that I went last night for the first time in quite a while and the wait was only half an hour. My soft-shell crab po-boy and my onion rings were both wonderful, although the bread was a little tough. Might add Mahony's back to my "go-to" list for when Guy's and Domilise's are closed.

[kibbles]

1/2 an hour for a poboy? man i still cant get over that... Johnny's, Parkway, Tracey's, etc, it comes out in 10, 15 minutes tops. for us anyway. they gotta be doing something wrong in there...

[sanglier]

Here's what you need to know, Randy: they have improved the wait times greatly, but Ben makes it clear these sandwiches are made to order and take time. You will be rewarded. Try to go earlier or later (around 11:30/11:45 or 1:30 or later) to avoid the peak crowd times and you will be fine. And yes, you will be enthralled with the Peacemaker. Mahony's has its detractors, and while I respect people's preferences, I think Mahony gets a lot of unwarranted hits. Oh, one other thing, something I do criticize them for: your choices are 6 inch or 12 inch. Standard poboys are 9 inches, so 6 isn't quite enough and 12 is too much. Don't know why they do that, but the product itself is top-notch.

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Mahony's
3454 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA

[ClevelandRandy]

Well, the 6" will leave room in my recently shrunk belly (yay!) for a Sno Ball, another New Orleans treat I've never tried. Any recommendations for a Sno Ball in the general vicinity of Mahony's?

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Mahony's
3454 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA

[hazelhurst]

for a Sno Ball, the onliest place you need to go is Hansen's Sno Bliz on the corner of Tchoupitoulas and Bordeaux.

[roro1831]

+ 10000000000000000000000 on Hansens. Vanilla bean and satsuma mixed is great.

[kibbles]

tho arent most/all poboys "made to order"? i cant think of a poboy shop that had a ready stack of assembled sandwiches ready to go...

[ClevelandRandy]

Really, the thought of that isn't very appetizing -- soggy bread, etc.! But on my visit to Parkway, everything came out pretty quickly.

[texasredtop]

I was planning on going last week but I read way more negatives than positives before coming. If 2-3 weeks ago is current enough for you then I'd pass it by. If you love fried shrimp poboys, we opted for Johnny's instead of Mahoney's and their fried shrimp were wonderful. I had oyster which wasn't anything special but my husband's shrimp was delicious. I can't wait to get back in a few months and get my own. I was actually tempted to throw my oyster poboy out and go back and order a shrimp poboy. I hear their potato salad is real good too and I'm planning on trying that when we return.