Quick answer
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 local consensus, highlights the city's most iconic sandwiches, from traditional roast beef to gourmet twists.
- Best overall
- Parkway Bakery & Tavern
- Top pick
- Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Top verdicts
- Parkway Bakery & Tavern: The local consensus #1.
- Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar: The locals' secret since 1924.
- Guy's Po-Boys: Cash-only, no-frills, and unapologetically old-school.
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.
Area map
1. Parkway Bakery & Tavern
All 12 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parkway Bakery & Tavern | Classic Po-Boys | $8-$18 | |
| 2 | Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar | Neighborhood Classic | $8-$16 | |
| 3 | Guy's Po-Boys | Old-School Classic | $7-$14 | |
| 4 | Killer PoBoys | Modern / Gourmet | $10-$18 | |
| 5 | Verti Marte | Late-Night / Deli | $8-$15 | |
| 6 | Liuzza's by the Track | Creole Tavern | $10-$20 | |
| 7 | Johnny's Po-Boys | French Quarter Classic | $8-$16 | |
| 8 | Mahony's Po-Boys & Seafood | Upscale Po-Boys | $12-$22 | |
| 9 | Parasol's Restaurant & Bar | Irish Channel Legend | $8-$16 | |
| 10 | Cochon Butcher | Chef-Driven Deli | $12-$20 | |
| 11 | R&O Restaurant | Bucktown Seafood | $8-$18 | |
| 12 | Sammy's Food Service & Deli | Neighborhood Deli | $7-$14 |
1Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Classic Po-Boys💴 $8-$18
Verdict: The local consensus #1.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Classic Po-Boys in New Orleans
- Strengths
- Known for Classic Po-Boys
- Price / value
- $8-$18
- Why it made the list
- The local consensus #1. A century-old institution with an oak-shaded patio and the best roast beef po-boy in the city.
- 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.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon11 AM – 8 PM
Tue11 AM – 8 PM
Wed11 AM – 8 PM
Thu11 AM – 8 PM
Fri11 AM – 8 PM
Sat11 AM – 8 PM
Sun11 AM – 8 PM
“Parkway is a classic po-boy shop. The roast beef is ridiculous.”
— Editor's note
“Tie between Parkway & Verti Marte for the best overall po-boy.”
— Editor's note
2Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar
Neighborhood Classic💴 $8-$16
Verdict: The locals' secret since 1924.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Neighborhood Classic in New Orleans
- Strengths
- Known for Neighborhood Classic
- Price / value
- $8-$16
- Why it made the list
- 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.
- 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.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon10 AM – 7 PM
Tue10 AM – 7 PM
Wed10 AM – 7 PM
Thu10 AM – 7 PM
Fri10 AM – 7 PM
Sat10 AM – 7 PM
SunClosed
“Domilise's will always be my favorite, but Parkway is fine and closer to my house.”
— Editor's note
“One of my top 5 New Orleans experiences. The fried shrimp po-boy is perfect.”
— Editor's note
3Guy's Po-Boys
Old-School Classic💴 $7-$14
Verdict: Cash-only, no-frills, and unapologetically old-school.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Old-School Classic in New Orleans
- Strengths
- Known for Old-School Classic
- Price / value
- $7-$14
- Why it made the list
- Cash-only, no-frills, and unapologetically old-school. The fried shrimp here is the platonic ideal of the New Orleans po-boy.
- 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.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon10 AM – 4 PM
Tue10 AM – 4 PM
Wed10 AM – 4 PM
Thu10 AM – 4 PM
Fri10 AM – 4 PM
Sat10 AM – 4 PM
SunClosed
“The just fried shrimp from Guy's will always be my last meal po-boy.”
— Editor's note
“Parkway, Guy's, and Sammy's are the best IMO.”
— Editor's note
4Killer PoBoys
Modern / Gourmet💴 $10-$18
Verdict: The new-school po-boy shop that proves the format can evolve.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Modern / Gourmet in New Orleans
- Strengths
- Known for Modern / Gourmet
- Price / value
- $10-$18
- Why it made the list
- The new-school po-boy shop that proves the format can evolve. Creative fillings like seared shrimp with chili butter on proper French bread.
- 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.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon11 AM – 8 PM
TueClosed
Wed11 AM – 8 PM
Thu11 AM – 8 PM
Fri11 AM – 8 PM
Sat11 AM – 8 PM
Sun11 AM – 8 PM
“The only real decent options for po-boys in the French Quarter area are Killer, Verti Marte and Johnny's.”
— Editor's note
“Killer PoBoys is the modern take — creative fillings, still on real French bread.”
— Editor's note
5Verti Marte
Late-Night / Deli💴 $8-$15
Verdict: The 24-hour French Quarter deli that has saved countless Bourbon Street nights.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Late-Night / Deli in New Orleans
- Strengths
- Known for Late-Night / Deli
- Price / value
- $8-$15
- Why it made the list
- 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.
- 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.
🕐 Open now
MonOpen 24 hours
TueOpen 24 hours
WedOpen 24 hours
ThuOpen 24 hours
FriOpen 24 hours
SatOpen 24 hours
SunOpen 24 hours
“Verti Marte is fine if you're drunk as hell at 2am — and honestly, it's perfect for that.”
— Editor's note
“Maybe a fried shrimp at Parkway, hot sausage at Verti Marte, roast beef at Johnny's.”
— Editor's note
6Liuzza's by the Track
Creole Tavern💴 $10-$20
Verdict: Home of the legendary BBQ shrimp po-boy.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Creole Tavern in New Orleans
- Strengths
- Known for Creole Tavern
- Price / value
- $10-$20
- Why it made the list
- 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.
- 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.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon11 AM – 7 PM
Tue11 AM – 7 PM
Wed11 AM – 7 PM
Thu11 AM – 7 PM
Fri11 AM – 9 PM
Sat11 AM – 9 PM
SunClosed
“Domilise's and Liuzza's are better than Parkway, and I even like them more than Parkway.”
— Editor's note
“Liuzza's has one of the best BBQ shrimp po-boys in the city.”
— Editor's note
7Johnny's Po-Boys
French Quarter Classic💴 $8-$16
Verdict: The French Quarter's most legitimate po-boy shop since 1950.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- French Quarter Classic in New Orleans
- Strengths
- Known for French Quarter Classic
- Price / value
- $8-$16
- Why it made the list
- The French Quarter's most legitimate po-boy shop since 1950. Tourists line up here because locals told them to.
- 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).
🕐 Opening hours
Mon8 AM – 4 PM
Tue8 AM – 4 PM
Wed8 AM – 4 PM
Thu8 AM – 4 PM
Fri8 AM – 4 PM
Sat8 AM – 4 PM
Sun8 AM – 4 PM
“Maybe a fried shrimp at Parkway, hot sausage at Verti Marte, roast beef at Johnny's.”
— Editor's note
“Johnny's is the classic French Quarter po-boy spot that tourists can actually feel good about.”
— Editor's note
8Mahony's Po-Boys & Seafood
Upscale Po-Boys💴 $12-$22
Verdict: Magazine Street's po-boy heavyweight.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Upscale Po-Boys in New Orleans
- Strengths
- Known for Upscale Po-Boys
- Price / value
- $12-$22
- Why it made the list
- Magazine Street's po-boy heavyweight. The Peacemaker (half shrimp, half oyster) is a full commitment — bring your appetite.
- 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.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon11 AM – 8 PM
Tue11 AM – 8 PM
Wed11 AM – 8 PM
Thu11 AM – 8 PM
Fri11 AM – 8 PM
Sat11 AM – 8 PM
Sun11 AM – 8 PM
“Mahony's is a solid choice on Magazine. The Peacemaker po-boy is massive.”
— Editor's note
“Mahony's Po-Boys just reopened on Magazine Street in a new location.”
— Editor's note
9Parasol's Restaurant & Bar
Irish Channel Legend💴 $8-$16
Verdict: The Irish Channel's most beloved dive bar, famous for the firecracker shrimp po-boy and raucous St.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Irish Channel Legend in New Orleans
- Strengths
- Known for Irish Channel Legend
- Price / value
- $8-$16
- Why it made the list
- The Irish Channel's most beloved dive bar, famous for the firecracker shrimp po-boy and raucous St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
- 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.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon11 AM – 10 PM
Tue11 AM – 10 PM
Wed11 AM – 10 PM
Thu11 AM – 10 PM
Fri11 AM – 11 PM
Sat11 AM – 11 PM
Sun11 AM – 10 PM
“Is there a better po-boy than Parasol's firecracker shrimp?”
— Editor's note
“Parasol's is the Irish Channel classic. Go for the roast beef on St. Patrick's Day.”
— Editor's note
10Cochon Butcher
Chef-Driven Deli💴 $12-$20
Verdict: James Beard Award-winning chef Donald Link's butcher shop and sandwich counter.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Chef-Driven Deli in New Orleans
- Strengths
- Known for Chef-Driven Deli
- Price / value
- $12-$20
- Why it made the list
- James Beard Award-winning chef Donald Link's butcher shop and sandwich counter. Not a traditional po-boy joint — it's better.
- 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.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon10 AM – 10 PM
Tue10 AM – 10 PM
Wed10 AM – 10 PM
Thu10 AM – 10 PM
Fri10 AM – 10 PM
Sat10 AM – 10 PM
Sun10 AM – 4 PM
“Cochon Butcher isn't a traditional po-boy shop but the sandwiches are insane.”
— Editor's note
“If you want something different, Cochon Butcher is chef-driven and excellent.”
— Editor's note
11R&O Restaurant
Bucktown Seafood💴 $8-$18
Verdict: Worth the short drive to Bucktown/Metairie.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Bucktown Seafood in New Orleans
- Strengths
- Known for Bucktown Seafood
- Price / value
- $8-$18
- Why it made the list
- 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.
- 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.
🕐 Opening hours
MonClosed
Tue11 AM – 9 PM
Wed11 AM – 9 PM
Thu11 AM – 9 PM
Fri11 AM – 9 PM
Sat11 AM – 9 PM
Sun11 AM – 9 PM
“R&O is worth the drive to Bucktown. The roast beef debris is some of the best in the metro.”
— Editor's note
“R&O's po-boys and pizza are both excellent — a Bucktown institution.”
— Editor's note
12Sammy's Food Service & Deli
Neighborhood Deli💴 $7-$14
Verdict: The Gentilly neighborhood sleeper that locals guard jealously.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Neighborhood Deli in New Orleans
- Strengths
- Known for Neighborhood Deli
- Price / value
- $7-$14
- Why it made the list
- The Gentilly neighborhood sleeper that locals guard jealously. Breakfast po-boys here are among the city's best-kept secrets.
- 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.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon7 AM – 3 PM
Tue7 AM – 3 PM
Wed7 AM – 3 PM
Thu7 AM – 3 PM
Fri7 AM – 3 PM
Sat8 AM – 3 PM
SunClosed
“Parkway, Guy's, and Sammy's are the best IMO.”
— Editor's note
“Sammy's is a sleeper pick. Gentilly locals know.”
— Editor's note
Frequently asked questions
What is the best po'boy in New Orleans?
Parkway Bakery & Tavern is the most consistently recommended across Reddit. Their roast beef po'boy is legendary. Domilise's is a close second for seafood po'boys.
What is a po'boy and how is it different from a sub?
A po'boy is a New Orleans sandwich on crispy French bread with a light, airy interior. Unlike a sub or hoagie, the bread is the star — it shatters when you bite into it. Traditional fillings include roast beef with gravy, fried shrimp, fried oysters, and hot sausage.
What does 'dressed' mean on a po'boy?
'Dressed' means lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayonnaise. Most locals order their po'boys dressed. You can also add hot sauce or Crystal at the table.
Where can I get a po'boy in the French Quarter?
Johnny's Po-Boys (since 1950), Killer PoBoys (modern/gourmet), and Verti Marte (open 24/7) are all in or near the French Quarter. For the best experience overall, it's worth the short cab ride to Parkway or Domilise's.
How much does a po'boy cost in New Orleans?
A half po'boy runs $7-$10. A full (whole) po'boy costs $10-$18 depending on the filling. Fried seafood and specialty options are at the higher end. Budget about $12-$15 per person including a drink.
What is the best roast beef po'boy in New Orleans?
Parkway Bakery & Tavern is the local consensus pick for best roast beef. The meat is falling-apart tender with rich dark gravy. Parasol's and Johnny's are also excellent choices.
Are po'boy shops open late in New Orleans?
Verti Marte in the French Quarter is open 24/7. Most other po'boy shops close by 7-8 PM. Parasol's stays open until 10-11 PM as it's also a bar.