Did you know that the "poor boy" sandwich was created by Bennie and Clovis Martin, streetcar conductors turned owners of Martin Brother Coffee Stand and Restaurant? The po-boy history goes that in 1929, over a thousand streetcar drivers went on strike. The Martin brothers made cheap sandwiches with fried potatoes, gravy, and small bits of roast on French bread to give away to the unemployed workers who were the "poor boys." Then the Great Depression hit leaving even more people destitute. These inexpensive and generously filled sandwiches helped feed the hungry people of New Orleans during lean times.
The oyster po-boy is one of the most beloved styles of po-boy. These local restaurants make the best of them because they either specialize in po-boys or fresh seafood.
Where to Get Oyster Po-boys in New Orleans
1. Short Stop Poboys
119 Transcontinental Dr., Metairie, (504) 885-4572
shortstoppoboysno.com
This spot in Metairie may look unassuming on the outside but inside they serve some of the best po-boys in the city. They have nearly 30 po-boys to pick from, each customizable down to the condiments.
While all of their po-boys are delicious, their oyster po-boy is a fan favorite. Made with crispy fried Louisiana oysters, ketchup, hot sauce, and pickles, this classic will not disappoint fans of fried seafood. For those with a big appetite, Short Stop also serves 14-inch King Po-Boys that can be made with half fried oysters and half fried catfish or shrimp. Whatever size or fillings you choose, their flavorful fried oysters will not disappoint.
2. Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar
5240 Annunciation St., (504) 899-9126
domilisespoboys.com
Domilise's is a long-standing po-boy restaurant that serves sandwiches only. Their history and focus on po-boys seem to be part of the reason their sandwiches are so beloved.
Large fried gulf oysters fill crispy Leidenheimer bread along with fresh lettuce and a healthy dose of mayo and ketchup. If reading those words makes your mouth water, just imagine how good the real thing tastes. If you can't decide which of their fried seafood po-boys to order, get a large half-and-half seafood po-boy so you can get the best of both worlds.
3. Liuzza's By The Track
1518 N. Lopez St., (504) 218-7888
liuzzasbtt.com
Liuzza's By The Track is a restaurant near the New Orleans Fairgrounds that has become a household name in New Orleans. Their menu features many Louisiana staples, especially fried seafood.
While Liuzza's serves a classic oyster po-boy, they also offer a special Garlic Oyster Poboy. This sandwich takes it up a notch with roasted garlic butter bread. For those who like to order a variety of things, Liuzza's offers po-boys with cups of their rich gumbo.
4. Frankie & Johnny's
321 Arabella St., (504) 243-1234
frankieandjohnnys.net
While this little old Uptown eatery gets packed full of people daily, the wait is worth it for a menu that features lots of hearty Italian food, as well as local favorites like po-boys and boiled seafood.
Frankie & Johnny's offers an impressive amount of po-boys, ranging from fried seafood to cold cuts. Their oyster po-boy sits at the top of the po-boy list thanks to its popularity among customers. You can get a half oyster sandwich and a steaming cup of gumbo, which makes for a perfect lunch.
5. Creole House
509 Canal St., (504) 323-2109
creolehouserestaurant.com
Creole House is inside one of the oldest building on Canal Street and serves familiar New Orleans dishes. While they are typically praised for their shucked oysters, their fried oysters are also exceptional.
Creole House's oyster po-boy is made with lightly fried oysters that have been seasoned with an in-house blend, setting it apart from your typical fried oyster. All of their po-boys are served dressed with lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles and come with a side of fries.
6. Royal House Oyster Bar
441 Royal St., (504) 528-2601
royalhouserestaurant.com
Royal House clearly loves oysters; it's right in the name. You can get your oysters in so many ways here, and they're all good choices. You can get a dozen raw or chargrilled. You can get the Oyster Rockefeller Bombolone: fried oysters, creamed spinach, bacon, parmesan, and anisette in a puff pastry. And then come the po-boys…
The oyster po-boy has lightly seasoned and fried Louisiana oysters, but the Crispy Fried Oyster BLT Po-Boy is just too much goodness to pass up. This sandwich has fried Louisiana Gulf oysters, crispy applewood-smoked bacon, tomato, and lettuce on French bread with remoulade sauce.
7. Felix's Restaurant
Multiple Locations
felixs.com
Just across the street from Acme Oyster House in the French Quarter, you'll find one of Felix's busy locations (739 Iberville St.). This restaurant is popular with tourists who love to see the oysters getting chargrilled through the window. Locals, however, love the waterfront restaurant in the Lakeview neighborhood (7400 Lakeshore Dr.), which is a perfect spot for a sunset dinner or sun-soaked lunch.
Skip right ahead to the Po-Boy & Sandwiches section of the menu. The Felix Special comes with both shrimp and oyster, but you can also get the traditional oyster po-boy. The Half Po-Boy & Side gives you the option of a seafood po-boy, including oysters, and a side of either étouffée, jambalaya, gumbo, or red beans.
8. Parkway Bakery & Tavern
538 Hagan Ave., (504) 482-3047
parkwaypoorboys.com
Parkway Bakery is synonymous with po-boys; Parkway Bakery began serving po-boys in 1929 to help feed striking union workers in the area. It wasn't the main feature of the iconic restaurant until Jay Nix purchased Parkway in 1995. Now, it's one of the most renowned spots for po-boys, even garnering international attention.
You should know that Parkway Bakery only serves its delicious Golden Fried Gulf Oyster Poor Boy on Wednesday and Thursday. That's because Parkway will only take the freshest Louisiana oysters available. Also on those days, you can mix it up with a Half and Half Poor Boy made with fried shrimp and oysters.
9. Mahony's Po-Boys
3454 Magazine St., (504) 766-6679
mahonyspoboys.com
Mahony's serves both cold and hot po-boys along with craft cocktails to enjoy with your meal. Their famous and delicious po-boys can be ordered as a 6-inch or a 12-inch.
Their traditional oyster po-boy is made with cornmeal-crusted fried oysters and served dressed with mayo, tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles. Another oyster option is The Peacemaker, made with fried shrimp and oysters, bacon, and cheddar cheese.
10. New Orleans Food and Spirits
Multiple Locations
neworleansfoodandspirits.com
New Orleans Food and Spirits is a restaurant in Metairie and on the Westbank with many familiar Louisiana dishes on the menu. With many seafood options and daily specials, they mix up their offerings often enough so you won't get bored.
They, of course, serve a fried oyster po-boy made from fresh and high-quality ingredients. A cornerstone of their restaurant is affordability, so expect fair prices when dining at New Orleans Food and Spirits.
Top Rated Oyster Po-boys in New Orleans
Oysters have been a staple of the New Orleans diet for centuries. Oysters are easy to source, plentiful, and full of nutritious vitamins. So, even if you can't decide which French bread is best, you know there's always a delicious oyster po-boy on every corner.
Did we forget to add the best oyster po-boy in New Orleans? Let
us know where we can find it!
