12 Louisiana Po’ Boy Shops That Locals Say Serve Sandwiches As Big As The Bayou
Louisiana po’ boys aren’t just sandwiches – they’re edible monuments to Southern excess and flavor. Picture French bread so crispy it crackles like a campfire, stuffed with enough fried seafood or roast beef to feed a small alligator.
These oversized pieces of culinary art have been satisfying appetites across the Pelican State for generations, turning simple ingredients into legendary meals that require both hands and serious commitment to finish.
Now, it is your turn to accept that sweet challenge.
1. Parkway Bakery & Tavern – New Orleans (Mid-City)
Since 1911, this legendary spot has been crafting po’ boys that could double as life rafts. Their roast beef debris sandwich drips with gravy so generously that napkins become your best friend.
I still remember my first Parkway experience – ordering their famous shrimp po’ boy and wondering if they’d accidentally given me two sandwiches.
The seasonal Thanksgiving po’ boy appears every Wednesday in November, featuring turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce.
Counter service keeps things casual, while the patio offers perfect people-watching opportunities between massive bites.
2. Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar – New Orleans (Uptown)
Authentic Leidenheimer French bread serves as the foundation for po’ boys that practically require architectural support. This neighborhood institution has perfected the art of stuffing maximum seafood into minimum space.
Their fried oyster po’ boy arrives looking like a golden treasure chest that burst open. The hot sausage option packs enough spice to make your taste buds dance the second line. Short daytime hours mean timing is everything.
Uptown locals treat this place like their personal kitchen, and one bite explains why their loyalty runs deeper than the Mississippi.
3. Guy’s Po-Boys – New Orleans (Magazine Street)
Magazine Street’s no-frills champion serves lunch-only masterpieces that locals plan their entire day around. Their catfish po’ boy arrives golden and flaky, practically swimming in crispy perfection.
Operating from roughly 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Guy’s proves that good things come to those who wake up early. The fried shrimp version towers so high it challenges the laws of sandwich physics. Hot sausage adds a spicy kick that’ll wake up your entire neighborhood.
Long-running success speaks louder than fancy decorations ever could in this beloved Uptown treasure.
4. Johnny’s Po-Boys – New Orleans (French Quarter)
Cash-only operations and limited hours make Johnny’s feel like discovering buried treasure in the heart of the French Quarter. Their breakfast po’ boys redefine morning fuel with eggs, bacon, and enough carbs to power a streetcar.
Thursday through Sunday availability means planning ahead becomes part of the adventure. The roast beef version arrives messy and magnificent, requiring serious napkin strategy. Shrimp po’ boys showcase Gulf Coast generosity with every overstuffed bite.
Tourist crowds mix with locals who’ve been coming here for decades, creating authentic French Quarter energy.
5. Verti Marte – New Orleans (French Quarter)
Twenty-four-seven operations make this tiny corner store deli a midnight lifesaver for po’ boy emergencies. The “All That Jazz” sandwich combines ham, turkey, shrimp, mushrooms, two cheeses, and special sauce into one glorious mess.
Late-night calls ahead prevent disappointment when hunger strikes at 2 a.m. Hidden in the back of a convenience store, finding Verti Marte feels like uncovering a delicious secret. Their creativity transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary combinations that somehow work perfectly together.
The French Quarter location means stumbling distance from most hotels after a long night of jazz and revelry.
6. Melba’s Famous Po’boys – New Orleans (St. Roch)
Round-the-clock service and drive-thru convenience make Melba’s the ultimate po’ boy destination for any hour craving. Their menu stretches longer than a Mardi Gras parade route, offering every combination imaginable.
During a recent late-night visit, I watched them construct a roast beef po’ boy that required two people to carry. The hot sausage option delivers serious heat, while fried shrimp maintains classic Gulf Coast tradition.
Twenty-four-hour availability means never having to choose between sleep and sandwiches.
7. Short Stop Poboys – Metairie
Early morning operations starting at 8 a.m. make this suburban staple perfect for beating lunch crowds. Their debris-style roast beef po’ boy arrives swimming in rich gravy that transforms ordinary bread into gravy-soaked perfection.
Huge menu options mean decision-making becomes the biggest challenge of your visit. Hot and cold classics receive equal attention, ensuring every preference finds satisfaction. Beloved status among Metairie residents speaks to consistent quality and generous portions.
Suburban location provides easier parking than downtown alternatives while maintaining authentic Louisiana po’ boy traditions and flavors.
8. Bear’s Restaurant – Covington (Northshore)
Northshore locals swear by their gravy-drenched roast beef po’ boy, which arrives looking like a delicious natural disaster. Covington’s beloved lunch destination proves that great po’ boys exist beyond New Orleans city limits.
Typically closed on Mondays and Sundays, Bear’s operates for lunch Tuesday through Friday (hours around 10:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.), satisfying hungry crowds. Their fried shrimp version maintains Gulf Coast standards with generous portions and crispy perfection. Lunch-focused hours mean timing becomes crucial for sandwich satisfaction.
Local favorite status ensures authentic preparation methods and generous portions that justify the drive across Lake Pontchartrain for serious po’ boy enthusiasts.
9. R & O Restaurant – Metairie (Bucktown)
Family-friendly atmosphere near Lake Pontchartrain creates the perfect setting for massive po’ boys and lakeside dining. Their fried oyster sandwich showcases Gulf Coast bounty with plump, perfectly seasoned bivalves.
Pizza and seafood options complement traditional po’ boy offerings, making this spot ideal for groups with varying tastes. Lunch and dinner hours accommodate different schedules, though Monday and Tuesday closures require planning. Roast beef maintains classic New Orleans preparation with debris and gravy.
The Bucktown location provides scenic lake views that enhance every overstuffed bite of these legendary sandwiches.
10. Olde Tyme Grocery – Lafayette
Acadiana’s longtime institution transforms into crawfish central every Friday during Lent, drawing massive crowds for their legendary fried crawfish po’ boys. Regular menu stars include perfectly seasoned catfish and Gulf shrimp preparations.
Tailgate catering services prove their po’ boys can fuel entire football stadiums worth of hungry fans. The Lafayette location represents authentic Cajun country po’ boy traditions with regional flair. Friday crawfish offerings create weekly pilgrimages from across Louisiana.
Their reputation extends far beyond Lafayette parish lines, making this grocery store deli a true Louisiana treasure worth any detour.
11. Rocco’s New Orleans Style Po-Boys & Café – Baton Rouge
Capital city’s po’ boy champion brings authentic New Orleans style to Baton Rouge with sandwiches that rival their downstream cousins. Split lunch and dinner hours several days a week accommodate both meal rushes perfectly.
Hot sausage preparations pack enough spice to make the LSU Tigers roar with approval. Their fried shrimp version maintains Gulf Coast standards while roast beef delivers classic debris-style satisfaction. Baton Rouge staple status proves consistent quality over many years.
New Orleans-style preparation methods ensure authentic flavors reach hungry Red Stick residents without requiring trips to the Crescent City.
12. Darrell’s – Lake Charles
The “Darrell’s Special” combines ham, turkey, and roast beef with gravy, melted cheese, and jalapeño mayo into one magnificent, messy masterpiece that requires serious commitment. Lake Charles locals consider this loaded creation a rite of passage.
Big, messy, and beloved perfectly describes both the sandwiches and the restaurant’s reputation throughout Southwest Louisiana.
Lunch through late hours accommodates various schedules and hunger levels. Multiple meat combinations create flavor explosions that challenge traditional po’ boy boundaries.
Jalapeño mayo adds unexpected heat that perfectly complements the rich gravy and melted cheese combination.