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Here Are the New Orleans Area’s Top Po’ Boy Spots

Where to find the best po’ boys in and around New Orleans, from roast beef to fried oyster and BBQ shrimp

by Eater Staff Updated Jan 27, 2022, 2:08pm CST

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by Eater Staff Updated Jan 27, 2022, 2:08pm CST

Jean Faucett/Shutterstock

Few food items are more identifiable to New Orleans than a dripping, overstuffed po’ boy. They hold a sacred, even fanatical, place among the city’s food iconography — and claiming a favorite amounts to an act of civic pride. First invented and sold to striking streetcar workers in the 1920s, these tasty and cheap “poor boy” sandwiches soon found popularity in the city’s working class: dock workers, tradesmen, and laborers. Eventually locals of every stripe took up the habit.

Ask any New Orleanian and they will tell you, with fervor, where to find the best po’ boy in town, from corner stores to dive bars to sit down restaurants. Some have different favorites for seafood, roast beef, and hot sausage; some will proclaim their spot makes is the best at all of those varieties. Of course, this list could be twice as long and still not do justice to all the great po’ boy destinations in the New Orleans area, so while it doesn’t include all the good ones, here are Eater’s picks for the very best in and around New Orleans, arranged geographically as always.

Don’t see your favorite po’ boy in New Orleans? Send an email or leave a comment.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

Walker's BBQ

Don’t come looking for fried shrimp here at this New Orleans East po’ boy hotspot. At Walker’s it’s all about barbecue: pork, brisket, and smoked chicken. Praised by the likes of Anthony Bourdain and Esquire, Walker’s is most known for its uber tender cochon de lait po’ boy, a perennial favorite at Jazz Fest, or try the other house specialty, burnt ends, made from brisket tips. Note: Doors close when the meat is gone.

10828 Hayne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127

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Cochon de lait at Walker’s

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R & O Restaurant and Catering

R&O’s, a family establishment in Bucktown since the 1980s, touts pizza as its primary trade, but the po’ boys are legendary among native New Orleanians. It’s a full sit-down restaurant near the lake with a quick, efficient waitstaff that calls all the diners “sweetie” or “honey,” plenty of seating, cold beer, and a casual aesthetic that includes paper holiday decorations dangling from ceiling panels and a roll of paper towel on every table. Grab the R & O Special, a standard ham and roast beef po’ boy, but with cabbage in lieu of the more traditional lettuce.

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216 Metairie-Hammond Hwy, Metairie, LA 70005

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Louisiana Pride Seafood

Louisiana Pride is out on Downman Road in New Orleans East, and is one of the area’s best po’ boy destinations. In addition to a beloved hot sausage, the standard roast beef, shrimp, and oyster offerings are accompanied by a smoked sausage version, a take on a Philly cheesesteak, and fish po’ boys.

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4418 Downman Rd, New Orleans, LA 70126

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Radosta's Restaurant

This little neighborhood po’ boy spot hangs onto its family legacy and homey feel, and is especially known for its Italian sausage po’ boys. The extensive menu also includes seafood, combos, and even a pork chop po’ boy. A word to the wise: Get the Wayne Special toasted, but don’t get it dressed. Lettuce, tomato, and cold bread just aren’t that good on a hot veal parm po’ boy.

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249 Aris Ave, Metairie, LA 70005

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Sammy's Food Services & Deli

Owner and former butcher Sammy Schloegel’s insistence on quality meat has made this Gentilly shop one of the best po’ boy destinations in town — it was previously the supplier of the slim patty sausage used in the beloved hot sausage po’boy from Gene’s, tragically closed in 2019. Choose 6” or 10” with most large sandwiches coming in at under $10; a large Ray Ray, one of the shop’s most popular with fried chicken, ham, and cheese, will set you back $12; and fried seafood options run $12-15.

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3000 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122

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The Ray Ray

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Liuzza's by the Track

Come Jazz Fest, this popular, laid back, horse-themed corner joint by the track is like its po’ boys, overflowing. The New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp po’ boy remains a popular option, but the stunner is the fried oyster with garlic butter.

1518 N Lopez St, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Short Stop Poboys

Short Stop is another top Metairie’s po’ boy shop, a decades-old, family-owned and operated spot with an old-school vibe and attentive service particularly that’s known for its roast beef po’boy. There are three options for size, helpful if you’re looking to try a few, like the hot sausage, catfish, or French fry. It’s one of the more affordable of the bunch.

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119 Transcontinental Dr, Metairie, LA 70001

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Bears Poboy's at Gennaro's

While Bear’s offers an extensive line-up of the usual po’ boy suspects, it’s roast beef that’s the stand out at this Metairie comfort food locale. House roasted and served on locally baked Leidenheimer bread, Bear’s proclaims to have the best roast beef po’ boy around.

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3206 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70001

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Roast beef po-boy at Bear’s

Bevi Seafood Co.

This is the place to take care of po’ boy, boiled crawfish, and daiquiri needs at the same time. Though known for seafood, Bevi’s meat po’ boys are also top-notch. Can’t decide? Go for the peacemaker po’ boy: fried Louisiana shrimp, roast beef debris, and Swiss cheese.

236 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Parkway Bakery & Tavern

On a list of greats, few po’ boy spots can match the iconic status of this classic Mid City corner institution. Doors first opened over a century ago, and it began serving po’ boys to striking street car workers in the 1920s. Now two favorites, the overstuffed fried shrimp and the roast beef and gravy, have fervent followers — unless it’s the holiday season, then Parkway’s Thanksgiving po’ boy is most coveted. Also worth a mention for its rarity: the steamed corn beef brisket po’ boy.

538 Hagan Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Roast beef po’ boy at Parkway

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Li'l Dizzy's Cafe

Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe has been a Treme institution for fifteen years. While perhaps best known for the Baquet family’s fried chicken and gumbo, the po’ boys are incredible, especially the shrimp and hot sausage.

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1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

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Li’l Dizzy’s shrimp po’boy

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Frady's One Stop Food Store

More known for its breakfast and lunch plates than for “making groceries,” this joint is old school and proud of it. Frady’s is about as basic as it gets; orders are to-go and cash only. The fried shrimp and oyster or dripping roast beef with provolone are good bets. Tradition dictates chowing down at one of the shaded benches out front or sidewalk tables on Piety.

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3231 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Buffalo chicken po’ boy from Frady’s

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Verti Marte

The beloved Verti Marte is the French Quarter’s longtime neighborhood deli, known for its breakfast, sandwiches, no-nonsense counter service, and 24/7 hours, a late night eats destination for sure. It’s loved equally for the hot sausage po’boy, a sloppy roast beef version made with a secret sauce, and the All that Jazz, a po’boy stuffed with a stack of grilled turkey, ham, American and Swiss cheeses, fried shrimp, sautéed mushrooms, and “wow sauce.”

1201 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116

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Johnny's Po-Boys

Johnny’s paper-wrapped po’ boys are the favorite for many, and is a particularly good option for visitors who can’t necessarily go off the beaten path. Located in the heart of the Quarter, stop in for lunch and choose from more than 30 po’ boys, like the shrimp and oyster; alligator sausage; surf n’ turf; or soft shell crab.

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511 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Adams Street Grocery

Ask locals for the best deal on po’ boys, and it won’t be long before someone points you towards this petite corner grocery tucked into a quiet Uptown neighborhood near Tulane University. Among the options you’ll find generous fried shrimp, fish, or roast beef and gravy po’ boys all coming in under $10. Another plus: Adams Street’s po’ boys are served on perfectly crispy Dong Phuong bread. Takeout only.

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1309 Adams St, New Orleans, LA 70118

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Seithers Seafood

Seither’s, tucked away in Harahan in a small, brightly colored building, is a powerhouse seafood destination. Popular for boiled crawfish, live music, and Jason Seither’s super creative seafood dishes, the po’ boys are another main draw, especially for varieties like the oyster, bacon, and mozzarella monster po’ boy; BBQ shrimp and andouille; and soft shell crab.

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279 Hickory Ave, Harahan, LA 70123

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Zara's Lil' Giant Supermarket & Po-boys

For more than 80 years, Zara’s has been a beloved and affordable grocery that manages to successfully cater to its upscale Prytania St. neighborhood but without the Uptown price tag. Order at the deli counter and take your po’ boy to go or park yourself at one of the tables out front.

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4838 Prytania St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Catfish po’boy from Zara’s

Guy's Poboys

Marvin Matherne has owned this 60+ year old, petite lunch staple since 1992, and he’s usually in the kitchen making the po’ boys himself, stuffing well-seasoned shrimp inside loaves and slathering them with mayo before topping with pickles, lettuce, tomato, and ketchup. Indeed, the fried shrimp po’ boy is one of the best the city has to offer (there’s also a very good grilled shrimp po’ boy).

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5259 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar

The longtime po’ boy destination in the “sliver by the river” has something of a cult following. Easy to miss, a hand-painted sign signals the entrance to a no-frills time warp of formica and wood paneling. Like Parkway, Domilise’s has a long history tied to the city’s working class, and the family business marked its 100th anniversary in 2018. Both fried seafood and roast beef debris are customer favorites here.

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5240 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Frankie & Johnny's

Frankie & Johnny’s is one of few sit-down options for a po’boy,

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321 Arabella St New, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Estralita's Cafe / Carryout

When it comes to po’ boys on the Westbank, there are a few great options — Perino’s, Big EZ, New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood Company, to name a few — but our money goes to Estralita’s, a decades-old soul food restaurant in Westwego run by Ms. Estralita and Ms. Cynthia. Try the smoked sausage, fried shrimp, or roast beef, and definitely order pie for after.

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1022 Westbank Expy, Westwego, LA 70094

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Walker's BBQ

10828 Hayne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127

Cochon de lait at Walker’s

Don’t come looking for fried shrimp here at this New Orleans East po’ boy hotspot. At Walker’s it’s all about barbecue: pork, brisket, and smoked chicken. Praised by the likes of Anthony Bourdain and Esquire, Walker’s is most known for its uber tender cochon de lait po’ boy, a perennial favorite at Jazz Fest, or try the other house specialty, burnt ends, made from brisket tips. Note: Doors close when the meat is gone.

10828 Hayne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127

Visit Website

Cochon de lait at Walker’s

R & O Restaurant and Catering

216 Metairie-Hammond Hwy, Metairie, LA 70005

R&O’s, a family establishment in Bucktown since the 1980s, touts pizza as its primary trade, but the po’ boys are legendary among native New Orleanians. It’s a full sit-down restaurant near the lake with a quick, efficient waitstaff that calls all the diners “sweetie” or “honey,” plenty of seating, cold beer, and a casual aesthetic that includes paper holiday decorations dangling from ceiling panels and a roll of paper towel on every table. Grab the R & O Special, a standard ham and roast beef po’ boy, but with cabbage in lieu of the more traditional lettuce.

Open in Google Maps

216 Metairie-Hammond Hwy, Metairie, LA 70005

Visit Website

Louisiana Pride Seafood

4418 Downman Rd, New Orleans, LA 70126

Louisiana Pride is out on Downman Road in New Orleans East, and is one of the area’s best po’ boy destinations. In addition to a beloved hot sausage, the standard roast beef, shrimp, and oyster offerings are accompanied by a smoked sausage version, a take on a Philly cheesesteak, and fish po’ boys.

Open in Google Maps

4418 Downman Rd, New Orleans, LA 70126

Visit Website

Radosta's Restaurant

249 Aris Ave, Metairie, LA 70005

This little neighborhood po’ boy spot hangs onto its family legacy and homey feel, and is especially known for its Italian sausage po’ boys. The extensive menu also includes seafood, combos, and even a pork chop po’ boy. A word to the wise: Get the Wayne Special toasted, but don’t get it dressed. Lettuce, tomato, and cold bread just aren’t that good on a hot veal parm po’ boy.

Open in Google Maps

249 Aris Ave, Metairie, LA 70005

Visit Website

Sammy's Food Services & Deli

3000 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122

The Ray Ray

Owner and former butcher Sammy Schloegel’s insistence on quality meat has made this Gentilly shop one of the best po’ boy destinations in town — it was previously the supplier of the slim patty sausage used in the beloved hot sausage po’boy from Gene’s, tragically closed in 2019. Choose 6” or 10” with most large sandwiches coming in at under $10; a large Ray Ray, one of the shop’s most popular with fried chicken, ham, and cheese, will set you back $12; and fried seafood options run $12-15.

Open in Google Maps

3000 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122

Visit Website

The Ray Ray

Liuzza's by the Track

1518 N Lopez St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Come Jazz Fest, this popular, laid back, horse-themed corner joint by the track is like its po’ boys, overflowing. The New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp po’ boy remains a popular option, but the stunner is the fried oyster with garlic butter.

1518 N Lopez St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Short Stop Poboys

119 Transcontinental Dr, Metairie, LA 70001

Short Stop is another top Metairie’s po’ boy shop, a decades-old, family-owned and operated spot with an old-school vibe and attentive service particularly that’s known for its roast beef po’boy. There are three options for size, helpful if you’re looking to try a few, like the hot sausage, catfish, or French fry. It’s one of the more affordable of the bunch.

Open in Google Maps

119 Transcontinental Dr, Metairie, LA 70001

Visit Website

Bears Poboy's at Gennaro's

3206 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70001

Roast beef po-boy at Bear’s

While Bear’s offers an extensive line-up of the usual po’ boy suspects, it’s roast beef that’s the stand out at this Metairie comfort food locale. House roasted and served on locally baked Leidenheimer bread, Bear’s proclaims to have the best roast beef po’ boy around.

Open in Google Maps

3206 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70001

Visit Website

Roast beef po-boy at Bear’s

Bevi Seafood Co.

236 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

This is the place to take care of po’ boy, boiled crawfish, and daiquiri needs at the same time. Though known for seafood, Bevi’s meat po’ boys are also top-notch. Can’t decide? Go for the peacemaker po’ boy: fried Louisiana shrimp, roast beef debris, and Swiss cheese.

236 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bevi Seafood Company (@beviseafoodco)

Parkway Bakery & Tavern

538 Hagan Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Roast beef po’ boy at Parkway

On a list of greats, few po’ boy spots can match the iconic status of this classic Mid City corner institution. Doors first opened over a century ago, and it began serving po’ boys to striking street car workers in the 1920s. Now two favorites, the overstuffed fried shrimp and the roast beef and gravy, have fervent followers — unless it’s the holiday season, then Parkway’s Thanksgiving po’ boy is most coveted. Also worth a mention for its rarity: the steamed corn beef brisket po’ boy.

538 Hagan Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Roast beef po’ boy at Parkway

Li'l Dizzy's Cafe

1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Li’l Dizzy’s shrimp po’boy

Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe has been a Treme institution for fifteen years. While perhaps best known for the Baquet family’s fried chicken and gumbo, the po’ boys are incredible, especially the shrimp and hot sausage.

Open in Google Maps

1500 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Visit Website

Li’l Dizzy’s shrimp po’boy

Frady's One Stop Food Store

3231 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Buffalo chicken po’ boy from Frady’s

More known for its breakfast and lunch plates than for “making groceries,” this joint is old school and proud of it. Frady’s is about as basic as it gets; orders are to-go and cash only. The fried shrimp and oyster or dripping roast beef with provolone are good bets. Tradition dictates chowing down at one of the shaded benches out front or sidewalk tables on Piety.

Open in Google Maps

3231 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Buffalo chicken po’ boy from Frady’s

Verti Marte

1201 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116

The beloved Verti Marte is the French Quarter’s longtime neighborhood deli, known for its breakfast, sandwiches, no-nonsense counter service, and 24/7 hours, a late night eats destination for sure. It’s loved equally for the hot sausage po’boy, a sloppy roast beef version made with a secret sauce, and the All that Jazz, a po’boy stuffed with a stack of grilled turkey, ham, American and Swiss cheeses, fried shrimp, sautéed mushrooms, and “wow sauce.”

1201 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Johnny's Po-Boys

511 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130