10 Legendary Po’Boy Spots Every New Orleans Local Swears By
New Orleans is famous for jazz, Mardi Gras, and one sandwich that makes locals argue like family at Thanksgiving: the po’boy.
Stuffed with everything from crispy fried shrimp to roast beef drowning in gravy, this iconic sandwich tells the story of the city itself.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, knowing where to find the best po’boy is practically a survival skill in the Big Easy.
1. Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Since 1911, this Mid-City gem has been slinging sandwiches that make tourists and locals line up around the block. You’ll find perfectly fried shrimp, oysters, and roast beef piled high on French bread that’s crusty outside and pillowy inside.
Grab a table outside under the oak trees and watch the parade of hungry people come and go. The portions are generous enough to share, but you probably won’t want to!
2. Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar
Walking into this Uptown spot feels like stepping back in time to when your grandparents were young. Opened in 1918, the walls are covered with old photos and the counter looks like it’s served a million sandwiches.
Order the fried shrimp po’boy dressed, and you’ll understand why generations keep coming back. Don’t expect fancy decor or Instagram-worthy plates, just honest food done right for over a century.
3. Johnny’s Po-Boys
Right in the heart of the French Quarter, this no-frills spot has been feeding hungry folks since 1950. Locals elbow past tourists at lunchtime because everybody knows the real deal when they taste it.
Try the hot sausage patty po’boy if you want something different from the usual suspects. The prices won’t empty your wallet, which is rare in the Quarter, making it perfect when you need fuel between sightseeing stops.
4. Killer Poboys
If traditional po’boys had a cool younger cousin who studied abroad, this would be it. Started as a food truck, Killer Poboys shakes up the classic formula with inventive twists that somehow still feel authentically New Orleans.
The Dark and Stormy shrimp with rum-spiked BBQ sauce sounds weird but tastes like genius. Vegetarians finally have options here too, with creations that prove po’boys don’t always need meat or seafood to shine bright.
5. Mahony’s Po-Boys
When locals need a reliable sandwich without the tourist crowds, they head to this Uptown favorite that opened in 2009. Everything tastes fresh because they make their seafood po’boys to order instead of keeping fried stuff sitting under heat lamps.
The Peacemaker, loaded with both shrimp and oysters, lives up to its name by ending all debates about which seafood reigns supreme. Bonus points because they actually care about getting your order exactly how you want it dressed.
6. Guy’s Po-Boys
Hidden away where only people who really know their sandwiches venture, this family-run spot doesn’t waste money on fancy marketing. What they do spend time on is piling mountains of perfectly seasoned roast beef onto bread that soaks up all that gravy.
You might wait a bit during lunch rush, but watching them build each sandwich with care makes the time fly. Cash only, so hit the ATM before you go or you’ll be sadly sandwich-less!
7. Domingue’s Po-Boy
Tucked into a neighborhood where tourists rarely wander, this spot serves sandwiches that make office workers plan their lunch breaks around it. The bread comes from local bakeries and arrives fresh daily, which makes all the difference between good and amazing.
Hot roast beef with debris (those magical gravy-soaked meat bits) will ruin you forever for ordinary sandwiches. Portions are huge, prices are fair, and nobody’s trying to win awards, just feed people well.
8. Mandina’s Restaurant
Operating since 1932, this Mid-City institution serves way more than po’boys, but locals know the sandwiches here are sleeper hits. The setting feels like eating at your cool aunt’s house if she had a full bar and served fifty people at once.
After Hurricane Katrina flooded them badly, the neighborhood rallied to bring Mandina’s back because some places are just too important to lose. Order the fried oyster po’boy and taste history between two pieces of bread.
9. Casamento’s Restaurant
Open only during oyster season (September through May), this Uptown treasure has been shucking bivalves since 1919. The white tile walls and vintage vibe transport you to an era when people dressed up for lunch and took their sweet time eating.
Come here specifically when you’re craving an oyster loaf, which is basically a hollowed-out loaf of bread stuffed with fried oysters and pure happiness. Be patient because good things take time, especially when they’re this delicious and traditional.
10. Rouses Market
Yes, a grocery store made this list, and locals won’t even argue about it. This Louisiana chain takes its deli counter seriously, cranking out po’boys that rival many dedicated sandwich shops at prices that make your wallet smile.
Perfect when you need a quick lunch or want to grab sandwiches for a picnic in City Park. The hot roast beef is ridiculously good considering you’re buying it next to the milk and eggs, proving that great food doesn’t always need white tablecloths.
