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5 Best Po Boys In New Orleans

We can’t eat enough Po Boys whenever we’re in Louisiana. Discover our picks for the five best Po Boys in New Orleans.

Best Po Boy in New Orleans at Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Image: ©2foodtrippers

Who makes the best Po Boy in New Orleans?

This is the question that we asked locals as we wandered around the Big Easy from the French Quarter to the Bywater to Magazine Street. Our quest to find the best version of the iconic American sandwich was both a challenge and delight.

We posed this question to servers, bartenders, hotel clerks, cemetery workers and even to eccentric artist Dr. Bob. Our motivation was to find out where locals like to eat the iconic New Orleans sandwich that dates back to the early 20th century.

Asking the question was a great way to connect with locals since everybody in New Orleans loves to talk about food. It’s a question that visitors often asked us when we lived in Philly, though they usually asked the question about cheesesteaks (another famous sandwich and food icon). This was our turn to ask the food-focused question.

After you eat a Po Boy, discover more iconic American food favorites you need to eat at least once. Then discover the best Italian Beef Sandwiches in Chicago.

What Is A Po Boy?

Po Boy at Domelises in New Orleans
This Po Boy at Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar was more than big enough to share. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Research reveals no definitive origin for the iconic New Orleans sandwich. Benny and Clovis Martin may have claimed credit for inventing their Poor Boy sandwich back in 1929 but New Orleanians were eating eating oyster loaves decades earlier. There’s also evidence of other sandwich shops using the Po Boy name previous to that time.

Over the years, the Poor Boy took on abbreviated names including Po Boy, Po-Boy and Po’ Boy. We choose to use Po Boy in life and in this article. We also choose to eat as many Po Boys as we can whenever we’re in New Orleans. But what is it?

A Po Boy is a New Orleans sandwich that’s not so different from a Philadelphia Hoagie, New York Submarine or Boston Grinder, possibly due to each city’s history of Italian immigrants dating back to the 19th century. Like those other regional baguette based sandwich vehicles, a Po Boy is a long sandwich that’s big enough to be a meal. However, ingredients, as well as the type of bread, make the Po Boy stand out from the pack.

Po Boys typically sport fillings like slow cooked roast beef, oysters, crawfish and fresh from the Gulf shrimp. Some modern Po Boys add alligator meat or no meat at all. As for the bread, traditional Po Boys are almost always served on lightly crispy yet fluffy Leidenheimer baguettes. Typical dressings include lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayo.

Pro Tip
Order a Peacemaker if you want to combine both fried shrimp and fried oysters on your Po Boy.

Where To Eat The Best Po Boy In New Orleans?

Jazzy Passes in New Orleans
We traversed the city by foot, bus and streetcar in our quest to eat the best Po Boys in New Orleans. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

We discovered no consensus on our seemingly simple question about who makes the best Po Boy in New Orleans.

Interestingly, some people answered our question with a question. They wanted to know what kind of Po Boy since they had different answers for shrimp versus oyster versus roast beef.

Discover the best sandwiches in America. The Po Boy is one of these sandwiches.

Inspired and hungry to answer the question for ourselves, we sampled Po Boy sandwiches all over the city during multiple visits to New Orleans. We ate Po Boys at dive bars and fancy restaurants. Some of these spots were in the the touristic French Quarter while others were in neighborhoods like gritty Mid City and the tony Garden District.

Now it’s our turn to answer the question except that we don’t have just one favorite Po Boy in New Orleans. Instead, these are our five favorites:

1. Parkway Bar And Tavern

Line at Parkway Bakery
Crowds have been patiently queuing for Po Boys at Parkway Tavern & Bakery for more than a century. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

In earlier times, whenever we were asked “Who makes the best Po Boy in New Orleans?”, we always answered: “Parkway Bakery” without hesitation or doubt. Through succeeding years, we’ve eaten more than our share of Po Boys both at Parkway and beyond. But we’ll always remember that ‘love at first bite’ experience during our initial visit to the Mid City institution in 2007.

Those first Po Boys weren’t our last. The Po Boy shop and tavern, which opened in 1911, over a century ago, became ‘destination dining’ for us every time we returned to the Crescent City. After bringing friends here for their first Poorboys (as Parkway calls them) during one trip, we became Poorboy whisperers. Then there was that time that we literally squeaked in a visit on our way out of town, scarfing down Po Boys before hitting the road for Texas.

Parkway Bar and Tavern isn’t fancy. The walls are covered with old menus and other memorabilia. But the kitschy decor, while charming in its own way, isn’t the reason why both locals and tourists trek to Mid City. They (and we) come for the Po Boys.

Po Boy at Parkway Tavern in New Orleans
Only available on certain days (currently Wednesdays and Thursdays), the fresh oysters in Parkway Tavern’s Po Boys are seasoned with garlic and cayenne pepper and then served in classic style on Leidenheimer’s bread. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Choosing which Po Boy to order at Parkway is a challenge. Many opt for Parkway’s shrimp Po Boy packed with perfect morsels of the fried crustaceans. Lightly breaded, the shrimp is the star of the seafood sandwich. Others go for roast beef which may be Parkway’s most popular sandwich – a messy beauty with braised beef bathed in a rich, thick, dark gravy.

Not as popular but just as delicious is the grilled hot sausage beef patty Po Boy. If you love your sausage hot and flavorful, then this may be the sandwich for you. We recommend getting it fully dressed with lettuce, tomatoes, mayo and pickles.

Parkway’s large sandwiches live up to their name. Since the price difference is relatively minimal to upgrade to a large Po Boy, it’s worth going large to get the extra fillings, plus you’ll likely want to save some for later since you’ll be eating sides too. That’s assuming you want sides.

Trust us, you do.

Lunch at Parkway Bakery and Tavern
Sides and dessert transform Parkway’s Po Boys from a snack to a meal. We typically pair ours with Debris Fries and Bread Pudding. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Parkway offers various sides on their menu, many featuring fries and chili. We recommend ordering fries topped with gravy and huge strands of tender roast beef, AKA debris. In another time and place, this side would and could be the main course.

You clearly won’t have room for dessert after a Po Boy and a side or two. That’s no excuse to miss out on the homemade bread pudding served in a pool of rum sauce. It’s one of the best desserts in New Orleans. Share it, taste it, eat it and be happy.

Pro Tip
Sit at the bar. Not only will you skip the queue, but, more important, you can order adult beverages. We recommend pairing your Po Boy with a spicy Bloody Mary unless you’re in the mood for a cold Abita beer.

Parkway Bakery and Tavern is located at 538 Hagan Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119, United States.

2. Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar

Inside Domelises in New Orleans
Domilise’s isn’t fancy but who cares. The Po Boys are great here and that’s what really matters. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

People flock to Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar, a local institution with unique corner bar charm, worn floor tiles, wood paneling and black vinyl barstools. This shop separates itself from the Po Boy pack with a friendly crew that’s worked at the shop for decades.

Owned by the Domalise family for more than a century, the down and dirty Po Boy shop excels at making sandwiches filled with roast beef, seafood and even meatballs. Hamburgers and hot dogs are also on the menu; however, while they may be good, they’re not the thing to order here.

Po Boy Lunch at Domelises in New Orleans
Domilise’s is an equal opportunity Po Boy shop since it offers both Tabasco and Crystal hot sauce. In full disclosure, we opted for Crystal. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Domilise’s gained national fame when the late, great Anthony Bourdain visited the bar in his 2008 episode of No Reservations. But he’s not the only celebrity to eat Po Boys at Domilise’s. Famous folks like Brad Pitt, Anderson Cooper and Stevie Rae Vaughan have all broken bread at the corner shop. Literally.

Somehow, we never made it to Domilise’s until 2021. It was on our list but we always seemed to run out of time. Finally, we made it to the Po Boy pioneer in Uptown.

Shrimp Po Boy at Domelises in New Orleans
Our Po Boy at Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar runneth over with fried shrimp. We didn’t complain. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

During our visit, we bellied up to the bar and ordered crisp beer and a Po Boy generously loaded with fried shrimp. The small ones are big enough to share, which is what we did, but we won’t judge you if you splurge and order a large and eat it all by yourself. The Po Boys at Domilise’s are that good.

Pro Tip
Avoid the crowd by eating at Domilise’s early. We arrived right when they opened and had our choice of tables.

Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar is located at 5240 Annunciation Street, New Orleans, LA 70115, United States.

3. Liuzza’s By The Track

Entrance at Liuzzas by the Track in New Orleans
Our Po Boy quest took us to Liuzza’s by the Track. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Liuzza’s by the Track takes full advantage of its location near the Fairgrounds Race Course.

The restaurant encourages Jazz Fest attendees to stop both before and after they join the crowds for the music. As the owners assert on the website, “it’s a thang, y’all!” And by thang, they mean party.

Inside Liuzzas by the Track in New Orleans
Liuzza’s by the Track is a neighborhood restaurant that happens to serve some of the best Po Boys in New Orleans. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Despite its location, Liuzza’s by the Track is far from a one-trick pony that only comes alive for Jazz Fest and horse races. Locals hang at this spot all year round. Adventurous food travelers seek out the tavern, looking for great bar food and a way to connect to local NOLA culture.

During your visit, expect a full bar as well as a menu that features burgers, salads and a full range of seafood plates. However, despite its varied menu, Liuzza’s signature dish is the BBQ Shrimp Po Boy.

Po Boy at Liuzzas by the Track in New Orleans
Our BBQ Shimp Po Boy was a meal on a plate that required both utensils and a hearty appetite. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Make no mistake – the Liuzza’s BBQ Shrimp Po Boy is a show stopper with its mass of sautéed fresh shrimp stuffed into a French bread pistolette. Tangy barbecue sauce completes the sandwich and makes utensils a must.

Pro Tip
Consider cheering on your team at Liuzza’s by the Track. The bar is open during Saints games even though the restaurant is technically closed on Sundays. However, if your team isn’t the Saints, you should probably keep quiet when your team scores.

Liuzza’s by the Track is located at 1518 N Lopez Street, New Orleans, LA 70119, United States.

4. Killer Po Boys

Dining Room at Killer PoBoys in New Orleans
Killer Poboys serves creative Po Boys at its two French Quarter locations. Its larger Dauphine Street location offers both indoor and outdoor seating. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Just when we started to think that all Po Boys were different versions of the same thing, Killer Poboys proved us wrong. The relatively new Po Boy shop serves “internationally inspired, chef crafted New Orleans sandwiches” at its two French Quarter locations.

Both the original ‘little’ Killer in the Erin Rose bar and the bigger stand-alone eatery on Dauphine Street top their Po Boys with eclectic ingredients like roasted cauliflower, glazed pork belly and pimento cheese. Even the Shrimp Po Boy strays from the norm with toppings like daikon radish and sriracha aioli.

Po Boy at Killer PoBoys in New Orleans
We gave our taste buds a workout when we paired this Glazed Pork Belly Po Boy with smothered greens and spicy potato salad. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

If Killer sounds like a hipster haven, you’re not far from the mark. But is that a bad thing when those hipsters source local meat and produce and make their Po Boys with banh mi bread baked by Dong Phuong, a local Vietnamese bakery?

Putting this question to the test, we ordered a Po Boy topped with pork belly slices coated in rum-ginger cane syrup, crisp lime slaw and creamy garlic aioli. We intended to take a few bites but couldn’t stop eating the flavor-forward sandwich until it was gone. In other words, it’s the opposite of a bad thing.

Pro Tip
Order the Roasted Sweet Potato Po Boy if you’re not a meat eater.

Killer Poboys has two locations in the French Quarter. We ate our Po Boy at the shop located at 219 Dauphine Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States.

5. Commander’s Palace

Exterior and Sign at Commander's Palace
Commander’s Palace isn’t just one of the best restaurants in New Orleans. It’s also a great spot to chow down on Po Boys. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Commander’s Palace, arguably one of the top restaurants in New Orleans, is known for dishes like Pecan-Crusted Fish and Turtle Soup. Diners book advance reservations to dine in the restaurant’s elegant Garden Room, with the savviest booking lunch so that they can drink 25-cent martinis with their meal.

During our leisurely afternoon lunch at Commander’s Palace, we of course ordered iconic New Orleans dishes like Gumbo, Turtle Soup and Bread Pudding Souflé and well as smoked Boudin Stuffed Quail. We also ate a Shrimp Po Boy.

Read all about our three martini lunch at Commander’s Palace.

Shrimp Po' Boy at Commander's Palace
We bucked the trend when we ordered this Parade Route Po-Boy during our lunch at Commander’s Palace. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Is it crazy to eat a Po Boy at Commander’s Palace? Some people would say yes. However, our loaded Parade Route Po-Boy was an outstanding remnant of previous chef Tory McPhail’s menu that we hope never goes away.

Our Po Boy came filled with at least 20 crispy Gulf shrimp mixed with house made tasso, sweet onions and pickled okra mayonnaise. Chefs smothered the sandwich in a tangy hot sauce and served it with crunchy potato chips. It’s the kind of sandwich we’d typically eat with our hands but we used utensils for two reasons…

First, we didn’t want to make a mess since Commander’s Palace is a white table cloth kind of restaurant. Second, and more important, we didn’t want to miss any bits of this sticky sandwich loaded with plump shrimp and other goodies.

Pro Tip
Don’t hesitate to order the Parade Route Po-Boy lunch special when you eat lunch at Commander’s Palace. This meal deal includes a choice of soup or salad and cost $21 at the time of our visit. Also, be sure to make an advance reservation since this restaurant is typically fully booked.

Commander’s Palace is located at 1403 Washington Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States.

Additional Po Boy Shops And Restaurants

Po Boy at Chimes in Baton Rouge
There’s no such thing as too many Po Boys. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Eating five of the best New Orleans Po Boys may satisfy your sandwich cravings OR it may whet your appetite for even more Po Boys. If you fit into the second category, we suggest you start the next phase of your Po Boy journey at one or more of the following spots:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Po Boy?

A Po Boy is a long sandwich stuffed with shrimp, oysters or roast beef plus fixings like lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise and pickles. It’s a New Orleans classic!

Who invented the Po Boy?

Benny and Clovis Martin claimed credit for inventing their Poor Boy sandwich back in 1929 but New Orleanians were eating eating oyster loaves decades earlier.

What are other names for Po Boy?

Poor Boy, Po-Boy and Po’ Boy are other names for the Po Boy Sandwich. They’re all similar but slightly different.

Who sells the best Po Boys in New Orleans?

New Orleans has dozens, if not hundreds of places that sell Po Boy sandwiches. Our favorite if Parkway Tavern and Bakery. The best way to find your favorite is to try them all one Po Boy sandwich at a time.

What’s inside a New Orleans Po Boy?

Typical Po Boy fillings include roast beef, oysters, crawfish and shrimp. Typical dressings include lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayo.

What bread is best for a Po Boy?

The best Po Boy bread is a baguette. In New Orleans, the best Po Boy baguettes are baked at a local bakery called Leidenheimer.

Are there any other sandwiches worth eating in New Orleans?

Yes. New Orleans is also known for the muffaletta sandwich. It’s a round sandwich filled with ham, salami, mortadella, cheese and marinated olive salad.

Where To Stay In New Orleans

Troubadour Hotel Room 3 in New Orleans
We were happy to return to this room at The Troubadour Hotel after a full day of food tripping in New Orleans. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Staying at a comfortable, convenient hotel is a must in New Orleans. During our most recent visit, we stayed in the following two hotels that met these criteria:

New Orleans Planning Checklist

Hungry For More In New Orleans?

Cheap Eats New Orleans - Social IMG
Cheap Eats
Exterior and Sign at Commander's Palace
Iconic Restaurants
Chicory Coffee and Beignets at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans
Food Favorites
About The Authors

About The Authors

Daryl & Mindi Hirsch

Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers their unique taste of the world.

Disclosures

Article Updates
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.

Funding
We purchased and ate all Po Boys featured in this article.

Sponsorship
We thank Visit New Orleans and its partners for their assistance to facilitate this and other articles.

Original Publication Date: March 19, 2014
Republish Date: July 13, 2021

The Virtual Godmother

Wednesday 14th of December 2022

So happy to find your blog. Parkway by far, the best PoBoy stop! My husband and I did a PoBoy tour last time we were in New Orleans and had to get another from there for the plane. Enjoyed this blog post. :-)

Don

Friday 25th of November 2022

These spots are definitely not where we locals get out Poboys from.

Nick

Wednesday 20th of July 2022

Good recommendations on this list...have enjoyed many if them myself...but...just outside of NOLA on Aris Avenue in Metairie is Radosta's. This is the best local family run Po Boy shop anywhere in South Louisiana. I guarantee it!

Valencia Nellum

Tuesday 5th of July 2022

Checked all the comments before commenting myself, just to make sure no one else didn't mention NOLA Po boys on Bourbon Street. Guess that it's because it's in the 900 block of Bourbon, and most tourists doesn't travel down that far, unless curiosity gets the better of them. They're in for a treat at NOLA Po boys, iam a local, and we usually fix our own food. But I must say I love this place. The bread that's used is the absolute best. Parkway Taven is ok, but their bread is to hard. And I get it about this po boy thing, the insides does matter. BUT THE INSIDES ISN'T NOTHING WITHOUT THE RIGHT BREAD!!!

MW Smith

Friday 6th of May 2022

Many Po Boy joints to chose from, but my “go to” was Acme for Po Boys and red beans & rice. Other local favorites were Buffas and MonaLisa. This was years ago.

Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Sunday 8th of May 2022

So true! New Orleans is rich when it comes to Po Boy options. Thanks for sharing your favorites.

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