Ask five people in Alabama where to find the best po’boy, and you might get seven answers. The sandwich came from Louisiana, but Alabama has made it its own, from Birmingham’s side streets to the docks along Mobile Bay.
Some folks swear by fried shrimp, others want roast beef debris, and a few will defend a gator tail po’boy to the end. This list covers seven spots that give people plenty to debate, so grab a napkin and pick a side.
1. The Rougaroux – Forest Park, Birmingham, AL
Named after a Cajun werewolf legend, this Forest Park spot leans into the theme with werewolf and cult movie pictures on the walls. It sits inside a quaint house with patio seating, which makes it feel more like a neighbor’s place than a restaurant.
The po’boy menu is where the arguments start. The Roast Beef Debris PO’Boy has its loyal fans, while the Viet Cajun Seafood PO’Boy brings a fresh twist that splits the room.
There is also a Surf and Turf PO’Boy for anyone who refuses to choose.
Beyond the bread, the housemade boudin link and the Wild Gulf Shrimp Andouille and Okra Gumbo are strong reasons to order a side. Save room for the white chocolate bread pudding.
Service is counter style and moves fast. It is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM, and it does not take reservations, so weekday lunch is the calmer bet.
2. Tim’s Cajun Kitchen, Huntsville, AL
Gator on a po’boy sounds like a dare in North Alabama. At Tim’s Cajun Kitchen on Jordan Lane, it is one of the most recommended orders in the house.
The classic shrimp po’boy is here too, for anyone who wants to stay on familiar ground. Fried crab claws, chicken and sausage gumbo, and seafood gumbo round out the table nicely.
The kitchen makes its own boudin and bread pudding, which tells you something about how seriously it takes Cajun cooking. The interior also stands out, thanks to some talented painting on the walls.
Prices land around $10 to $20 per person. Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Thursday and stretch to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, with reservations accepted.
3. Kravers Seafood Daphne, Daphne, AL
A drive-through for seafood is not something you see every day. Kravers in Daphne offers one, along with curbside pickup, so a po’boy run can fit into a busy afternoon.
The place calls itself bayou-inspired and keeps things simple. Po’boys share the menu with combo baskets and catches you can get steamed, grilled, or fried.
The fish is lightly breaded, and portions run large. The steamed red shrimp basket, seafood gumbo, and key lime pie are all popular picks.
It is closed Mondays, open 10:30 AM to 9 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and serves until 3 PM on Sunday.
4. Doc’s Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar, Orange Beach, AL
Some beach towns argue over sunsets. Orange Beach regulars argue over whether Doc’s Shrimp Loaf counts as a po’boy, and most of them are too busy eating it to settle the question.
Doc’s is a longtime seafood stop with a down-home, no-frills setup. Fresh raw Louisiana oysters, fried crab claws, and fried crab cakes keep the tables full.
The onion rings earn their own fan club. You can also mix your own cocktail sauce, a small detail that keeps people coming back.
Expect a wait, especially in the evenings. Doc’s opens daily at 11 AM and has a kids’ menu for families.
5. Mudbugs at the Loop, Mobile, AL
Half market, half eatery, Mudbugs at the Loop is the kind of family-run place where you can grab dinner and something to cook later.
Seafood comes raw, steamed, or fried. Crawfish, snow crab, and shrimp lead the menu, with Cajun sides and gumbo by the quart.
It is counter service with a casual setup, and the place stays clean and friendly. Turkey neck and rice is an unusual pick worth trying.
Hours run Tuesday through Sunday, closing at 7 PM. Weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds, so plan ahead.
6. Original Oyster House, Spanish Fort, AL
Lunch with a view of Mobile Bay changes the whole po’boy debate. At Original Oyster House on Battleship Parkway, the scenery tends to win a few votes on its own.
The wood-paneled dining room keeps a laid-back mood, and the menu covers Gulf and Southern seafood, from sandwiches to fire grilled oysters. Pecan crusted whitefish and Cajun popcorn shrimp are favorites.
Do not skip the World Famous Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Pie. A salad bar is also available.
It opens daily at 11 AM and accepts reservations, which helps on busy weekend evenings.
7. Wintzell’s Oyster House, Mobile, AL
Downtown Mobile has been eating at Wintzell’s for around 75 years. The Dauphin Street original has a relaxed, old-Mobile feel that newer spots cannot copy.
Fried oysters with creamy crawfish sauce are a standout. The chargrilled oyster sampler, fried shrimp basket, and redfish bienville give everyone something to defend.
The staff knows the menu well. Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM most days, until 10 PM on weekends.
Wherever you land on the po’boy debate, a stop here makes a fitting finish to a Gulf Coast food run.
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