The Must-Try Tucked-Away Restaurant In New Orleans, Louisiana That Locals Practically Worship
New Orleans has no shortage of famous restaurants, but sometimes the best meals happen in the places tourists never hear about.
Parkway Bakery & Tavern sits quietly on Hagan Avenue in the Bayou St. John neighborhood, serving up legendary po’ boys since 1911.
Locals have been lining up here for generations, knowing that this unassuming spot serves some of the most authentic and delicious sandwiches in the entire city.
I still remember the first time I sank my teeth into a roast beef po’ boy here.
The flavor, the perfectly soft bread, the tangy debris gravy – it felt like a little bite of New Orleans history.
If you want to eat like a true New Orleanian, this tucked-away gem should be at the top of your list.
A Century-Old Legacy That Survived Everything
Parkway Bakery & Tavern has been feeding hungry New Orleanians since 1911, making it one of the oldest continuously operating eateries in the city.
Located at 538 Hagan Ave in the Mid-City neighborhood, this place has weathered hurricanes, floods, and even Hurricane Katrina, which temporarily closed its doors.
The bakery reopened in 2006, and locals celebrated like their favorite relative had come home.
Walking into Parkway feels like stepping back in time.
Vintage photos line the walls, and retro signs remind you of simpler days when a sandwich and a cold drink solved most problems.
The building itself radiates history, with its worn brick exterior and no-frills charm that screams authenticity.
Current owners Jay and Justin have kept the spirit alive while maintaining the recipes that made Parkway famous.
Neighborhood hangouts like this define what New Orleans food culture truly means.
The Legendary Po’ Boys That Made Them Famous
Parkway built its reputation on one thing: absolutely killer po’ boys that make your taste buds sing the blues.
These sandwiches arrive piled high with fillings on perfectly crispy French bread that somehow stays intact despite all that juicy goodness.
The roast beef po’ boy comes drenched in just enough tasty gravy to keep everything moist without turning your sandwich into a soggy mess.
Customers rave about the shrimp po’ boys, which use fresh Gulf shrimp instead of cheaper imported varieties.
You can taste the difference in every bite, and while it costs about three dollars more than other spots, locals say it’s worth every penny.
The oyster po’ boy also gets major love, with plump fried oysters that crunch perfectly against the soft bread.
Half and half combinations let you mix proteins, so you can try shrimp with catfish or roast beef with shrimp.
Portions run generous, and even the small size fills most people up completely. Order ahead by calling if you want to skip the line.
The Ordering System That Confuses First-Timers
First-time visitors sometimes get thrown off by how Parkway runs its operation.
You walk in, stand in line at the counter, place your order, pay, and then wait for them to call your number.
Sounds simple enough, right?
The tricky part comes when you decide to sit outside on the patio, where the acoustics make hearing your order number nearly impossible.
My cousin visited from Denver last spring and missed her number being called three times because she was enjoying the outdoor atmosphere.
By the time she realized, her sandwich had been sitting there getting cold while she wondered why everyone else was eating.
The staff kindly warmed it up, but she learned her lesson about staying within earshot.
Lines move fairly quickly despite looking intimidating, especially during lunch rush on weekends.
Smart regulars call ahead and pick up their orders, then grab a seat without the wait.
The system works once you understand it, though it could definitely use some modernization.
Still, the food quality makes any minor inconvenience completely forgivable.
The Sides That Steal The Spotlight
Everyone comes for the po’ boys, but the sides at Parkway deserve their own standing ovation.
The gravy cheese fries arrive as a glorious pile of crispy potatoes smothered in rich gravy and melted cheese that tastes like comfort food heaven.
People specifically mention these fries as the highlight of their entire meal, which says something considering the sandwich competition.
The potato salad hits that perfect creamy texture without being too mayonnaise-heavy, and the coleslaw provides a refreshing crunch that cuts through all the fried richness.
The jambalaya comes packed with meat and proper seasoning, making it a solid choice if you want something beyond sandwiches.
Regular fries earn consistent praise too, cooked to that ideal crispy-outside, fluffy-inside texture.
Portions remain reasonable without being stingy, though some customers mention drinks run on the smaller side for the price.
The sides cost extra but pair perfectly with any sandwich.
Try the potato salad if you want traditional New Orleans flavor, or go wild with the gravy cheese fries if calories don’t scare you.
The Patio Atmosphere That Keeps Locals Coming Back
Parkway’s outdoor patio transforms this sandwich shop into a proper neighborhood gathering spot where locals hang out for hours.
Covered seating protects you from sudden rain showers, and the relaxed vibe encourages lingering over your meal with a cold beer.
Games play on screens scattered around, creating that perfect sports bar energy without the corporate chain restaurant feel.
Summer brings intense Louisiana heat and humidity that can make outdoor dining feel like sitting in a sauna.
Winter months get surprisingly chilly, but Parkway sets up heaters throughout the patio, so finding a warm spot becomes part of the strategy.
The atmosphere radiates pure Southern charm, where strangers become friends over shared appreciation for good food.
Vintage photos and nostalgic signs decorate every available surface, giving the space character that new restaurants spend fortunes trying to fake.
The patio fills up fast on weekends, so arriving early or visiting on weekdays gives you better seating options.
This casual setting perfectly captures the laid-back New Orleans lifestyle that makes the city so special.
The Hours That Require Planning Ahead
Parkway operates on a schedule that might surprise visitors used to restaurants being open every day.
The doors stay locked on Mondays and Tuesdays, so planning your visit requires checking the calendar first.
Wednesday through Sunday, they serve from 10 AM to 6 PM, which means no dinner service and definitely no late-night sandwich runs.
These limited hours actually add to the mystique and keep quality consistently high.
The kitchen crew gets proper rest, and the staff avoids burnout that plagues many restaurant workers.
Closing at 6 PM feels early by restaurant standards, but it forces you to make Parkway a lunch or early dinner destination rather than an afterthought.
The unusual schedule also creates urgency among locals who know they can’t just pop in anytime.
Weekend lunch rushes get particularly intense, with lines stretching out the door between noon and 2 PM.
Arriving right when they open at 10 AM or closer to closing around 5 PM gives you the best chance of shorter waits and a more relaxed experience.
The Price Point That Delivers Real Value
Eating at Parkway costs between ten and twenty dollars per person, which lands firmly in the affordable range for quality New Orleans dining.
A small po’ boy feeds most people completely, while large sizes can easily split between two people or provide leftovers for later.
The pricing reflects honest value rather than tourist trap inflation that plagues many popular spots.
Some people mention portions feeling small for the cost, though most disagree and praise the generous fillings.
The Gulf shrimp costs more than imported varieties, but you’re paying for local, sustainable seafood that tastes noticeably better.
Drinks run a bit pricey for their size, but the food remains the main attraction here anyway.
Comparing Parkway to fancy French Quarter restaurants makes the value even clearer.
You get authentic local food made the traditional way without paying inflated prices just because tourists flood the area.
Cash and cards both work fine, and the website parkwaypoorboys.com provides current menu pricing.
For genuine New Orleans flavor without breaking your budget, this place hits the sweet spot perfectly.
The Local Secret to Beating the Crowds
Regular customers have figured out the ultimate Parkway hack that saves tons of time and frustration.
Instead of waiting in the inevitable line that forms during peak hours, smart folks call ahead to and place their order for pickup.
You walk in, grab your food, and head straight to a table while everyone else stares enviously.
This strategy works particularly well for weekend visits when the line snakes out the door and the wait stretches to 30 minutes or more.
Even Uber drivers recommend Parkway as their favorite po’ boy spot, which tells you the locals truly embrace this place.
The neighborhood location in Mid-City means fewer tourists stumble upon it compared to French Quarter restaurants.
Visiting on Wednesday or Thursday instead of weekends also dramatically reduces wait times.
Early birds who arrive right at 10 AM opening beat the lunch crowd completely.
The food tastes just as amazing whether you eat it at 11 AM or 2 PM, so adjusting your schedule slightly pays off in saved time and stress.