12 Louisiana Po’Boy Stands That Locals Defend Fiercely

Louisiana po’boys aren’t just sandwiches they’re a cultural institution woven into the fabric of New Orleans life. These iconic creations, stuffed with everything from crispy fried shrimp to roast beef dripping with gravy, inspire passionate loyalty among locals.

Everyone has their favorite spot, and they’ll argue about who makes the best po’boy with the same intensity they reserve for Saints football debates.

1. Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar The Corner Joint Time Forgot

Hidden in an unassuming yellow house on Annunciation Street, Domilise’s has been slinging legendary po’boys since 1924. Locals line up out the door for their shrimp po’boys perfectly fried seafood on Leidenheimer bread that strikes that magical balance between crisp and soft.

The interior hasn’t changed much in decades, with worn countertops and ceiling fans that have witnessed generations of New Orleanians satisfying their cravings. Miss Dot, who ran the place for years, might be gone, but her family keeps the tradition alive with the same recipes.

When celebrities visit, they’re treated just like everyone else wait your turn and order at the counter. That democratic approach to deliciousness is why locals fiercely protect this neighborhood treasure.

2. Parkway Bakery & Tavern The Comeback King

Rising from Hurricane Katrina’s floodwaters, Parkway Bakery embodies New Orleans’ resilience. Their roast beef po’boy, swimming in rich gravy that inevitably drips down your arms, has fueled locals through good times and bad since 1911.

This Mid-City institution sat abandoned for a decade before Jay Nix rescued it in 1995. The weathered building with its neon sign feels like stepping back in time. Presidents and movie stars have made pilgrimages here, but the heart of Parkway remains the neighborhood regulars who claim their favorite tables.

Locals will tell you the secret is how they hollow out the bread slightly before piling in the fillings. During Lent, their fried catfish po’boy creates traffic jams as Catholics line up for their Friday meal.

3. Killer Poboys The French Quarter Rebel

Tucked in the back of the Erin Rose Bar, Killer Poboys dared to reimagine a classic and somehow won over the traditionalists. Their glazed pork belly po’boy with lime slaw and garlic aioli breaks all the rules while honoring the spirit of this beloved sandwich.

The tiny kitchen space forces a focused menu, but each offering packs a flavor punch that converts skeptics into evangelists. Husband-and-wife team Cam and April opened in 2012 with a radical idea: craft po’boys with locally-sourced ingredients and global inspirations.

What makes locals defend this newcomer so passionately? Perhaps it’s the perfect marriage of innovation and respect. They serve their creations on traditional Dong Phuong bakery bread, maintaining that essential New Orleans connection while pushing the po’boy into exciting new territory.

4. Johnny’s Po-Boys The French Quarter Institution

When the neon “OPEN” sign glows at Johnny’s, French Quarter workers know breakfast is served. Since 1950, this cash-only landmark has been feeding everyone from hungover tourists to courthouse employees rushing through their lunch breaks.

The menu spans nearly an entire wall, offering over 45 different po’boys. Locals swear by their breakfast versions, especially the egg and hot sausage that cures what ails you after a long night on Bourbon Street. The no-frills interior, with its checkered tablecloths and ceiling fans, feels like stepping into a family kitchen.

Though Hurricane Katrina forced a temporary closure, the Geraci family reopened to cheers from loyal customers. Visitors might fill the tables during peak tourist season, but regulars know when to arrive to grab their favorite booth and hearty sandwich.

5. Guy’s Po-Boys The Magazine Street Masterpiece

If walls could talk, Guy’s humble cinderblock building would share five decades of neighborhood gossip exchanged over potato chip-topped po’boys. This Magazine Street stalwart serves what many locals consider the perfect fried shrimp version light, crispy seafood on bread with just the right amount of give.

Owner Marvin Matherne runs his kitchen with military precision, having taken over from the original Guy in the 1990s. The handwritten menu changes based on his mood and what’s fresh, creating an unpredictability that somehow makes each visit more special.

Locals fiercely guard their Guy’s loyalty, sometimes misleading tourists toward flashier establishments to keep lines manageable. The potato salad side dish inspires almost as much devotion as the sandwiches themselves, with its secret recipe passed down through generations.

6. Casamento’s Restaurant – The Oyster Loaf Legend

Though technically famous for their oyster loaf rather than traditional po’boys, Casamento’s earns its place through sheer deliciousness and local devotion. The gleaming white tile interior hasn’t changed since 1919, and regulars wouldn’t have it any other way.

Closed during summer months when oysters aren’t at their peak, this Magazine Street gem creates anticipation that builds until their September reopening. The oyster loaf differs from a po’boy by using thick-cut, buttery Texas toast instead of French bread, but the principle remains the same simple, fresh seafood served without pretension.

When locals bring out-of-towners here, they watch their guests’ faces at first bite with pride. The restaurant’s seasonal schedule and cash-only policy might frustrate tourists, but these quirks only strengthen the bond between Casamento’s and its defenders.

7. Mahony’s Po-Boy The Upscale Traditionalist

When Mahony’s opened on Magazine Street in 2008, skeptics wondered if a slightly upscale po’boy shop could survive. The answer came in devoted regulars who defend their Peacemaker po’boy – fried oysters, bacon and cheddar – with religious fervor.

Chef-owner Ben Wicks balanced innovation with tradition, creating new classics while respecting the fundamentals. The bright, airy space might lack the gritty charm of older joints, but the quality of ingredients silences most critics. Their bread comes from century-old bakeries, maintaining that essential New Orleans connection.

Locals particularly appreciate the full bar that pairs craft cocktails with their sandwiches. Though they’ve expanded to a French Quarter location, regulars still claim the original spot serves the best versions. Their sweet potato fries with honey butter have created almost as many arguments about “best sides” as their po’boys have.

8. Verti Marte The 24-Hour Savior

This 24-hour French Quarter deli has saved countless hungry souls at 3 AM. Hidden behind an unassuming storefront, Verti Marte’s tiny interior belies the massive menu and even bigger flavors that emerge from the kitchen.

After a devastating fire in 2010, locals rallied to help them rebuild, proving how essential this corner store is to the neighborhood. Their “All That Jazz” po’boy loaded with grilled ham, turkey, shrimp, mushrooms, and two kinds of cheese has achieved cult status among late-night revelers and service industry workers ending their shifts.

The cramped space barely fits two customers at once, so most orders are taken to go. Delivery drivers know every hidden courtyard and apartment entrance in the Quarter. When other establishments close their doors, Verti Marte’s lights shine on, a reliable beacon for the hungry at any hour.

9. Liuzza’s By The Track The Jazz Fest Favorite

During Jazz Fest, the line stretches down the block at this Mid-City corner joint near the Fair Grounds. Their BBQ shrimp po’boy – actually sautéed in a buttery, peppery sauce rather than barbecued – has sustained music lovers through decades of festivals.

The unassuming building with its weathered sign belies the culinary magic happening inside. Regulars slide into worn booths year-round, but their fierce loyalty becomes most evident during festival season when they direct friends to Liuzza’s while misleading tourists elsewhere to keep lines manageable.

Bartenders remember your drink order even if you only visit twice a year. The gumbo rivals the po’boys for local acclaim, and debates about which is better have ended friendships. Despite being somewhat off the tourist path, this neighborhood institution has earned its place in New Orleans sandwich history.

10. R & O’s – The Lakefront Hidden Gem

Far from the tourist trail in Bucktown near Lake Pontchartrain, R & O’s serves what many locals whisper is the city’s best roast beef po’boy. The Italian-Creole restaurant doesn’t look impressive from outside, but families have been making the pilgrimage here for generations.

Their roast beef achieves the perfect consistency tender meat soaked in gravy that somehow doesn’t make the bread fall apart. The Lipps family has run this place since 1980, expanding from a small po’boy shop to a full restaurant while maintaining quality.

Regulars know to save room for their Italian specialties too. The restaurant survived Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of the lakefront area, becoming a symbol of resilience for the neighborhood. When debates about the city’s best po’boy erupt, R & O’s defenders are among the most passionate and convinced of their superiority.

11. Adams Street Grocery The Corner Store Champion

This unassuming corner grocery in the Uptown neighborhood hides one of New Orleans’ best-kept po’boy secrets. Behind the shelves of everyday necessities lies a deli counter where magic happens daily – especially their hot sausage po’boy that locals protect like a family recipe.

The building dates back to the early 1900s, and the worn wooden floors have supported generations of neighborhood residents grabbing lunch or a quick dinner. Current owner Tri Nguyen took over in the 1990s, preserving the sandwich traditions while adding subtle Vietnamese influences to some offerings.

The store’s dual nature means you can grab a cold drink from the cooler to enjoy with your sandwich. Regulars often eat their po’boys on the store’s front steps, creating an impromptu community gathering. When film crews discover this gem, locals grumble about their secret potentially getting out.

12. Crabby Jack’s The Artist’s Workshop

Jacques Leonardi, the creative force behind Jacques-Imo’s restaurant, opened this lunch-only spot on Jefferson Highway as a po’boy laboratory. The slow-roasted duck po’boy emerged as his masterpiece tender, shredded duck in a rich gravy that has locals setting alarms to beat the lunch rush.

The quirky interior, decorated with folk art and Jacques’ own paintings, feels more like an artist’s studio than a restaurant. Cash registers sit atop old wooden school desks, and ordering requires shouting over the crowd. Despite the chaos, the kitchen maintains remarkable consistency.

Located far from tourist areas in a commercial strip, Crabby Jack’s requires intentional effort to visit. Locals consider this a feature, not a bug. The cochon de lait (suckling pig) po’boy rivals the duck for supremacy, creating passionate factions among regulars who debate which reigns supreme while standing in the inevitable line.