New Orleans po'boys, ranging from $7 to $18, are best experienced at Parkway Bakery & Tavern, consistently recommended on Reddit for their classic roast beef. This guide, backed by Reddit recommendations, highlights the city's most iconic sandwiches, from traditional roast beef to gourmet twists.
The po'boy is New Orleans' greatest contribution to American sandwiches — crispy-shelled French bread cradling everything from debris-drenched roast beef to just-fried Gulf shrimp. A half po'boy runs $7-$10 and a full runs $10-$18. Parkway Bakery & Tavern is the most consistently recommended on Reddit.
We analyzed hundreds of Reddit posts across r/AskNOLA, r/NewOrleans, and r/NOLA to find the 12 po'boy shops that actual New Orleanians recommend — not just the tourist-trap spots on every generic list. Every shop on this list was mentioned in at least 3 separate threads by different users.
The key to a great po'boy is the bread — Leidenheimer or John Gendusa French bread with a shattering crust and pillowy interior. Order yours “dressed” (lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayo) unless you have a strong opinion otherwise.
Verdict: The Reddit consensus #1. A century-old institution with an oak-shaded patio and the best roast beef po-boy in the city.
🕐 Hours
Mon11 AM – 8 PMTue11 AM – 8 PMWed11 AM – 8 PMThu11 AM – 8 PMFri11 AM – 8 PMSat11 AM – 8 PMSun11 AM – 8 PM
What to order: Parkway Bakery & Tavern is known for their Surf & Turf po-boy (fried shrimp + roast beef gravy), a classic po-boy experience. The roast beef is legendary — falling-apart tender with dark gravy soaking into the bread.
“Parkway is a classic po-boy shop. The roast beef is ridiculous.”— r/AskNOLA
“Tie between Parkway & Verti Marte for the best overall po-boy.”— r/NOLA · 2024
tabiji verdict: The Reddit consensus #1. A century-old institution with an oak-shaded patio and the best roast beef po-boy in the city.
💰 $8-$16
📍 5240 Annunciation St, New Orleans, LA 70115
🏙 Uptown
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: The locals' secret since 1924. No-frills counter service, cold beer, and po-boys that make you question everything you thought you knew about sandwiches.
🕐 Hours
Mon10 AM – 7 PMTue10 AM – 7 PMWed10 AM – 7 PMThu10 AM – 7 PMFri10 AM – 7 PMSat10 AM – 7 PMSunClosed
What to order: Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar is a neighborhood classic known for their Half-and-half seafood po-boy (half fried shrimp, half fried oyster). Get it dressed with extra hot sauce.
“Domilise's will always be my favorite, but Parkway is fine and closer to my house.”— r/NewOrleans · 2024
“One of my top 5 New Orleans experiences. The fried shrimp po-boy is perfect.”— r/NewOrleans
tabiji verdict: The locals' secret since 1924. No-frills counter service, cold beer, and po-boys that make you question everything you thought you knew about sandwiches.
💰 $7-$14
📍 5259 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
🏙 Uptown
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: Cash-only, no-frills, and unapologetically old-school. The fried shrimp here is the platonic ideal of the New Orleans po-boy.
🕐 Hours
Mon10 AM – 4 PMTue10 AM – 4 PMWed10 AM – 4 PMThu10 AM – 4 PMFri10 AM – 4 PMSat10 AM – 4 PMSunClosed
What to order: Guy's Po-Boys is an old-school classic known for their simple, perfect, and massive fried shrimp po-boy. Cash only.
“The just fried shrimp from Guy's will always be my last meal po-boy.”— r/AskNOLA · 2024
“Parkway, Guy's, and Sammy's are the best IMO.”— r/AskNOLA · 2025
tabiji verdict: Cash-only, no-frills, and unapologetically old-school. The fried shrimp here is the platonic ideal of the New Orleans po-boy.
💰 $10-$18
📍 219 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112
🏙 French Quarter
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: The new-school po-boy shop that proves the format can evolve. Creative fillings like seared shrimp with chili butter on proper French bread.
🕐 Hours
Mon11 AM – 8 PMTueClosedWed11 AM – 8 PMThu11 AM – 8 PMFri11 AM – 8 PMSat11 AM – 8 PMSun11 AM – 8 PM
What to order: Killer PoBoys is a modern/gourmet po'boy shop known for their Dark-roasted cauliflower po-boy or the seared shrimp with chili garlic butter. These aren't your grandma's po'boys — and that's the point.
“The only real decent options for po-boys in the French Quarter area are Killer, Verti Marte and Johnny's.”— r/AskNOLA · 2024
“Killer PoBoys is the modern take — creative fillings, still on real French bread.”— r/NewOrleans
tabiji verdict: The new-school po-boy shop that proves the format can evolve. Creative fillings like seared shrimp with chili butter on proper French bread.
💰 $8-$15
📍 1201 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116
🏙 French Quarter
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: The 24-hour French Quarter deli that has saved countless Bourbon Street nights. The All That Jazz po-boy is a full meal at 3 AM.
🕐 Hours
MonOpen 24 hoursTueOpen 24 hoursWedOpen 24 hoursThuOpen 24 hoursFriOpen 24 hoursSatOpen 24 hoursSunOpen 24 hours
What to order: Verti Marte is a late-night deli known for their All That Jazz po-boy (grilled shrimp, ham, turkey, mushrooms, cheese), available 24/7. Or the hot sausage po'boy at 2 AM when you really need it.
“Verti Marte is fine if you're drunk as hell at 2am — and honestly, it's perfect for that.”— r/AskNOLA · 2025
“Maybe a fried shrimp at Parkway, hot sausage at Verti Marte, roast beef at Johnny's.”— r/AskNOLA
tabiji verdict: The 24-hour French Quarter deli that has saved countless Bourbon Street nights. The All That Jazz po-boy is a full meal at 3 AM.
💰 $10-$20
📍 1518 N Lopez St, New Orleans, LA 70119
🏙 Mid-City / Fairgrounds
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: Home of the legendary BBQ shrimp po-boy. A Creole tavern near the Fairgrounds that's worth the detour for Jazz Fest or any other day.
🕐 Hours
Mon11 AM – 7 PMTue11 AM – 7 PMWed11 AM – 7 PMThu11 AM – 7 PMFri11 AM – 9 PMSat11 AM – 9 PMSunClosed
What to order: Liuzza's by the Track, a Creole tavern, is known for their signature BBQ shrimp po-boy. It's not BBQ in the smoked sense, it's buttery, peppery, Worcestershire-sauced perfection.
“Domilise's and Liuzza's are better than Parkway, and I even like them more than Parkway.”— r/NOLA · 2024
“Liuzza's has one of the best BBQ shrimp po-boys in the city.”— r/NewOrleans
tabiji verdict: Home of the legendary BBQ shrimp po-boy. A Creole tavern near the Fairgrounds that's worth the detour for Jazz Fest or any other day.
💰 $8-$16
📍 511 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130
🏙 French Quarter
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: The French Quarter's most legitimate po-boy shop since 1950. Tourists line up here because locals told them to.
🕐 Hours
Mon8 AM – 4 PMTue8 AM – 4 PMWed8 AM – 4 PMThu8 AM – 4 PMFri8 AM – 4 PMSat8 AM – 4 PMSun8 AM – 4 PM
What to order: Johnny's Po-Boys, a French Quarter classic since 1950, is known for their roast beef po-boy dressed, or the judge's special (ham, roast beef, gravy, and debris).
“Maybe a fried shrimp at Parkway, hot sausage at Verti Marte, roast beef at Johnny's.”— r/AskNOLA
“Johnny's is the classic French Quarter po-boy spot that tourists can actually feel good about.”— r/NOLA
tabiji verdict: The French Quarter's most legitimate po-boy shop since 1950. Tourists line up here because locals told them to.
💰 $12-$22
📍 3454 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
🏙 Uptown / Magazine St
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: Magazine Street's po-boy heavyweight. The Peacemaker (half shrimp, half oyster) is a full commitment — bring your appetite.
🕐 Hours
Mon11 AM – 8 PMTue11 AM – 8 PMWed11 AM – 8 PMThu11 AM – 8 PMFri11 AM – 8 PMSat11 AM – 8 PMSun11 AM – 8 PM
What to order: Mahony's Po-Boys & Seafood is an upscale po'boy shop known for their Peacemaker po-boy — the iconic half-oyster, half-shrimp combo. Or the fried green tomato with shrimp remoulade.
“Mahony's is a solid choice on Magazine. The Peacemaker po-boy is massive.”— r/AskNOLA
“Mahony's Po-Boys just reopened on Magazine Street in a new location.”— r/NewOrleans · 2025
tabiji verdict: Magazine Street's po-boy heavyweight. The Peacemaker (half shrimp, half oyster) is a full commitment — bring your appetite.
💰 $8-$16
📍 2533 Constance St, New Orleans, LA 70130
🏙 Irish Channel
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: The Irish Channel's most beloved dive bar, famous for the firecracker shrimp po-boy and raucous St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
🕐 Hours
Mon11 AM – 10 PMTue11 AM – 10 PMWed11 AM – 10 PMThu11 AM – 10 PMFri11 AM – 11 PMSat11 AM – 11 PMSun11 AM – 10 PM
What to order: Parasol's Restaurant & Bar, an Irish Channel legend, is known for their Firecracker shrimp po-boy — lightly spiced, perfectly fried, and the reason this bar is famous beyond its neighborhood.
“Is there a better po-boy than Parasol's firecracker shrimp?”— r/NewOrleans · 2024
“Parasol's is the Irish Channel classic. Go for the roast beef on St. Patrick's Day.”— r/NOLA
tabiji verdict: The Irish Channel's most beloved dive bar, famous for the firecracker shrimp po-boy and raucous St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
💰 $12-$20
📍 930 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70130
🏙 Warehouse District
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: James Beard Award-winning chef Donald Link's butcher shop and sandwich counter. Not a traditional po-boy joint — it's better.
🕐 Hours
Mon10 AM – 10 PMTue10 AM – 10 PMWed10 AM – 10 PMThu10 AM – 10 PMFri10 AM – 10 PMSat10 AM – 10 PMSun10 AM – 4 PM
What to order: Cochon Butcher, a chef-driven deli, is known for their Cochon Muffuletta or the house-made hot sausage po-boy. Donald Link's butcher shop doubles as one of the city's best sandwich destinations.
“Cochon Butcher isn't a traditional po-boy shop but the sandwiches are insane.”— r/AskNOLA
“If you want something different, Cochon Butcher is chef-driven and excellent.”— r/NOLA · 2024
tabiji verdict: James Beard Award-winning chef Donald Link's butcher shop and sandwich counter. Not a traditional po-boy joint — it's better.
💰 $8-$18
📍 216 Metairie-Hammond Hwy, Metairie, LA 70005
🏙 Bucktown / Metairie
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: Worth the short drive to Bucktown/Metairie. An Italian-Cajun family spot where the roast beef po-boy and thin-crust pizza are both excellent.
🕐 Hours
MonClosedTue11 AM – 9 PMWed11 AM – 9 PMThu11 AM – 9 PMFri11 AM – 9 PMSat11 AM – 9 PMSun11 AM – 9 PM
What to order: R&O Restaurant, located in Bucktown, is known for their roast beef po-boy with gravy. Also try the Italian salad and thin-crust pizza — R&O is a full Italian-Cajun hybrid.
“R&O is worth the drive to Bucktown. The roast beef debris is some of the best in the metro.”— r/NewOrleans
“R&O's po-boys and pizza are both excellent — a Bucktown institution.”— r/AskNOLA · 2024
tabiji verdict: Worth the short drive to Bucktown/Metairie. An Italian-Cajun family spot where the roast beef po-boy and thin-crust pizza are both excellent.
💰 $7-$14
📍 3000 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122
🏙 Gentilly
📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: The Gentilly neighborhood sleeper that locals guard jealously. Breakfast po-boys here are among the city's best-kept secrets.
🕐 Hours
Mon7 AM – 3 PMTue7 AM – 3 PMWed7 AM – 3 PMThu7 AM – 3 PMFri7 AM – 3 PMSat8 AM – 3 PMSunClosed
What to order: Sammy's Food Service & Deli is a neighborhood deli known for their hot sausage po-boy or the fried shrimp. Breakfast po-boys are incredible too — try the egg and cheese with hot sausage.
“Parkway, Guy's, and Sammy's are the best IMO.”— r/AskNOLA · 2025
“Sammy's is a sleeper pick. Gentilly locals know.”— r/NOLA
tabiji verdict: The Gentilly neighborhood sleeper that locals guard jealously. Breakfast po-boys here are among the city's best-kept secrets.
