20 Legendary Po’boy Spots In New Orleans You Have To Try
Po-boys are the messy, glorious heart of New Orleans eating, and you are about to meet the legends. From crackling French bread to hot gravy that drips down your wrists, every stop tells a different story.
Come hungry, bring napkins, and be ready to choose sides in friendly neighborhood debates. This is your roadmap to twenty unforgettable sandwiches you will crave long after you leave.
1. Domilise’s Po-Boys
Old-school counters, icy beer, and bread that shatters at first bite. Domilise’s feels like a time capsule, where shrimp tumble hot and golden, crowded by pickles and a swipe of mayo.
Order dressed, then lean over the paper wrapper to catch every crumb.
You will hear locals swapping stories about favorite combinations and Friday rituals. The gravy on roast beef is sticky, soulful, and comfort in a sandwich.
Expect a line, a smile, and a po-boy that tastes like New Orleans history.
2. Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Parkway is a lively neighborhood hub where the walls tell stories and the fryers never sleep. The surf and turf po-boy, loaded with roast beef debris and crispy shrimp, is a glorious mess.
You will want extra napkins, plus a cold drink to keep pace.
Grab a picnic table, watch the trays fly, and join the chorus of happy eaters. Bread arrives blistered and airy, perfect for soaking juices without collapse.
It is a must-stop that turns first timers into loyal fans.
3. Johnny’s Po-Boys
Tucked in the French Quarter, Johnny’s hustles from breakfast through late lunch. The menu is sprawling, but the shrimp and oyster combo steals the show.
Expect crisp seafood, cool lettuce, and a punchy hot sauce that wakes everything up.
It is casual, quick, and perfect between sightseeing stops. The roast beef drips with gravy, soaking the loaf without surrendering structure.
Order at the counter, squeeze into a booth, and prepare for joyful chaos on a plate.
4. Killer PoBoys
Creative twists live here, and you will taste bold flavors without losing po-boy soul. Try the glazed pork belly with crunchy veggies and herbs, a sweet-savory balance that surprises.
The seared Gulf shrimp with marinated carrots and Sriracha aioli hits bright and fiery.
It is a modern take, casual and quick, perfect for adventurous eaters. The bread still crackles, honoring tradition while pushing boundaries.
Bring an open mind and leave with a new favorite.
5. Liuzza’s by the Track
Right by the Fair Grounds, this joint delivers cold beer and hot, generous po-boys. The BBQ shrimp version is legendary, swimming in buttery peppered sauce that soaks every crevice.
You will need extra napkins and maybe a fork for the runaway shrimp.
The vibe is friendly, loud, and wonderfully local. Grab a bar stool and watch plates parade past with steaming bowls and stuffed loaves.
It is the definition of festival season comfort.
6. Guy’s Po-Boys
Guy’s is a neighborhood staple where fried catfish and shrimp dominate the day. The portions are generous, the bread crackles, and the sauce hits all the right notes.
You order, you wait, then you destroy a sandwich that fights back.
There is nothing fancy, just honest frying and quick service. Locals swear by the roast beef with extra debris for maximum drip.
You will leave full, happy, and plotting a return visit.
7. Mahony’s Po-Boys & Seafood
Mahony’s balances classic and craft, with inventive combinations alongside tried-and-true favorites. The Peacemaker, with fried oysters and bacon, tastes luxurious without being heavy.
Add a cold beer and watch the parade of platters glide past.
You will find roast beef that oozes comfort and shrimp fried just right. The room buzzes with date nights, families, and casual meetups.
It is an easy recommendation when you want variety and quality in one stop.
8. Tracey’s Original Irish Channel Bar
Tracey’s is a game day magnet with po-boys built for cheering. Roast beef debris spills everywhere, and the shrimp stays snappy under waves of sauce.
Grab a stool, claim a TV, and settle in for a loud, delicious afternoon.
The bread withstands the action, keeping hands relatively clean while flavors get rowdy. You will find friendly bartenders, cold drafts, and plates moving nonstop.
It is where po-boys meet sports in the best way.
9. Crabby Jack’s
From the team behind Jacques-Imo’s, Crabby Jack’s fires off big, bold flavors. The fried green tomato and shrimp remoulade combo is a must for crunchy-creamy contrast.
Sauces zing, shrimp pop, and the bread holds it all together like a champ.
Expect counter service, colorful walls, and portions that border on outrageous. You will leave with leftovers if you show restraint.
If not, you will just leave happy and a little sauced up.
10. Mothers Restaurant
Mother’s is a downtown institution where lines form for baked ham, debris, and gravy. The Ferdi Special stacks layers that somehow taste like Sunday supper in a loaf.
You will feel the steam when the wrapper opens, pure comfort rushing out.
It is fast, bustling, and exactly what you want after a long morning. Grab extra napkins and a sweet tea to keep pace.
Tradition never fades when the meat is this tender.
11. High Hat Cafe
Better known for plates, High Hat sneaks in a po-boy that deserves a detour. The fried catfish is seasoned right, flaky inside, and crisp outside.
A swipe of house sauce and cool pickles bring balance, making each bite addictive.
Sit at the bar for quick service and a view of the fry station. You will appreciate the care in the details and the steady neighborhood hum.
It feels like a secret worth sharing.
12. Clesi’s Seafood Restaurant
Clesi’s brings backyard boil spirit into a po-boy, especially when crawfish season hits. The fried shrimp po-boy is crisp and lively, but the crawfish versions turn heads.
Expect spice, lemon, and that unmistakable boil aroma riding the steam.
Grab a table outside when the weather behaves and let time slow down. You will find friendly service and portions that feel generous without waste.
It is a neighborhood gem with real seafood soul.
13. Short Stop Po-Boys
In Metairie, Short Stop is a drive-to destination that rewards the extra miles. The roast beef is legendary, dripping debris that clings to the bread just right.
Order dressed for that cool-crunch relief against hot, meaty richness.
The menu runs deep, with seafood and hot sausage crowd-pleasers. Service is brisk, local, and efficient, perfect for lunch hour missions.
You will understand the loyal following after two bites.
14. Alesi Pizza House Po-Boys
An unexpected favorite, this spot marries Italian comfort with New Orleans bread magic. Think meatballs nestled in gravy, mozzarella pull, and a loaf that never wilts.
You will get classic red sauce vibes wrapped in a local icon.
It is cozy, unpretentious, and fun for group sharing. Split a pizza and a po-boy if indecision strikes, then compare bites.
The cross-culture comfort hits especially well on a rainy day.
15. Turkey and the Wolf
Playful and inventive, this sandwich shop bends rules with confidence. The collard green melt gets all the hype, but their rotating po-boys are wild fun.
Expect big textures, nostalgic flavors, and sauces that make you grin.
You will wait in line, then eat like a kid on summer break. The bread holds despite generous fillings, which feels like magic.
It is creative without losing the soul of a good bite.
16. Olde Nola Cookery
Right on Bourbon, this spot delivers reliable classics with tourist-friendly speed. The fried oyster po-boy shines, briny and crisp with creamy remoulade.
You will appreciate the sturdy bread when the party outside gets wilder.
Grab a table upstairs to escape the street and savor. Service is quick, plates are generous, and the flavors are true.
It is a handy stop when you want good food near the action.
17. Stein’s Market and Deli
This Jewish-Italian deli leans into stacked meats and smart combinations. While not traditional in fillings, their po-boys use the right bread and serious technique.
Pastrami with sharp mustard on a local loaf hits like a dream.
Expect a line of regulars and imported grocery treasures lining shelves. You will find housemade salads, great coffee, and deli charm.
It is a delicious bridge between traditions that makes perfect sense here.
18. R&O’s Restaurant
Out in Bucktown, R&O’s is a seafood sanctuary with serious sandwich chops. The roast beef is a sleeper hit, but the shrimp po-boy tastes like the lake breeze.
Order fries, settle into a booth, and watch families trade bites.
It is casual, consistent, and the bread stays crisp through the last mouthful. You will want extra remoulade to swipe through stray shrimp.
Worth the drive every time.
19. Adam’s Street Po-Boy & Seafood
Adam’s feels like a friendly secret where the fryer never fails. The hot sausage po-boy has snap and spice that play perfectly with cool dressing.
Shrimp come out golden, stacked high enough to challenge your grip.
Service is warm, prices fair, and the bread is classic Leidenheimer crisp. You will finish fast, because it is that good.
Then the craving returns before you hit the car.
20. Benson’s Po-Boy Outlet
Benson’s serves straight-to-the-point po-boys that focus on freshness and value. The turkey and Swiss with gravy is comfort leaning hearty, while seafood options stay crisp.
Order dressed and let the pickles and lettuce keep pace with the richness.
It is a quick stop for workers, students, and anyone chasing a satisfying lunch. You will appreciate the speed and the no-nonsense care.
A dependable addition to any uptown sandwich circuit.
