Where to Stock up on Poboy Bread?

[Becca Porter]

When we are in NO in a couple of weeks, I would like to pick up some poboy bread to freeze for later. Where can I get some? I know I am going to Whole Foods, but they probably don't carry the good stuff, right? Thank you.

[ilikeNOLA]

You really can't stock up on Po-boy bread. It goes stale after a couple of days and I have not found it to freeze well. But....you could get ya some extra then make a great bread pudding. I have even recently made a great chocolate bread pudding!! Talk about great!!

[JazzyB]

Zips/ Reislings are the gold standard, but here's the rub....it's only good when it's fresh and it will be stale the next day. It must be frozen the day you get it otherwise it will only be good for bread pudding/dressing. Forget plastic bags, they ruin the crispy crust. The bread sold in plastic is spongy rather than light, airy, crispy. I'd pass on those pistolettes in the plastic bag, again no crisp crumb. They are more like a packaged sub or hoagie roll. Just my 2 cents.

[Becca Porter]

I am about 4 1/2 hours out of town. I will be sure to buy it as we leave town. Thank you!

[Hungry Celeste]

If you want long loaves, try the Binder's bread available at Zara's supermarkets. It's far superior to the long Ledenheimer's loaves. Or hit Chez Pierre in Kenner for short loaves, pistolettes, etc.

[JazzyB]

La Boulangerie on Magazine makes wonderful baguettes, olive bread, ciabatta. Great stuff that freezes well. Cut into portions and wrap in heavy duty foil. Be sure to defrost unwrapped.

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La Boulangerie
4526 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

[expatorleanian]

Naturally the loaves in the plastic bags aren't the same as the ones that don't last 24 hours, but if you lived out of town, you'd be so thankful to have them in your freezer. Of course, since they are frozen, you will be heating them up, which crisps up the crusts nicely. Trust me, there is no substitute in grocery stores out of the metropolitan area.

[expatorleanian]

When I lived out of town, I bought pistolettes and twins (two small French bread loaves packages together) at Dorignac's to freeze. Dorignac's is on Veterans in Metairie, not far from the Orleans/Jefferson line. The pistolettes and twins are located on the front end of the aisle just to the right of the liquor department. If you enter the left door from the parking lot, it's just to the left after you pass the checkout lines.

[marthasway]

Rouse's carries Reising's, which is what I buy these days, and it's easy to find. Pre-K I always went to Angelo Gendusa's at the top of the Marigny Triangle, but like so many of our treasures, it ain't dere no more.

[midcity]

If you're going to freeze it for later--presumably when you get home from your trip--my main advice would be to make sure to get bread in a plastic bag, or transfer it to a plastic bag if it comes in a paper bag. Otherwise, it will get hard before you can freeze it.

[collardman]

Since that is a local staple you can find French bread in every grocery store. You have to decide whose brand is your favorite and I'm sure the CH's here will add some specialty bakers to the list.

I know some who prefer their bread from several of the Vietnamese bakeries.