North Carolina is famous for barbecue, but the state has quietly built a serious po’ boy scene too. From a Charlotte seafood counter to an Outer Banks cafe on Highway 12, these sandwiches come stuffed with so much fried shrimp that the bread has a hard time holding it all.
Some spots keep things simple and cheap, while others fly in their bread from New Orleans. Grab some napkins, plan a route, and get ready to meet seven shrimp po’ boys worth the miles.
1. Po Boy’s Low Country Seafood, Charlotte, NC
When a restaurant puts the sandwich right in its name, it had better deliver. This Freedom Drive counter in west Charlotte does exactly that, with a Fried Shrimp Po Boy that comes packed full from end to end.
The place works as both a casual eatery and a seafood market, and everything is cooked to order. Beyond shrimp, the menu leans Cajun and Creole with fish and oyster po’ boys, a fried alligator po’ boy, soft shell crab, and gumbo.
Sides are a big part of the fun here. Dirty rice with a bit of spice, sweet yams, fried okra, mac and cheese, and hush puppies come in generous portions.
Craving a crowd-style feast? The Small Low Country Boil is a good pick for sharing.
Most meals land in the $10 to $20 range, and parking is free and easy. Plan around the schedule, since it is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Weekday afternoons tend to be the calmest time to swing by.
2. Shrimply Delicious Seafood Co., Greensboro, NC
Good luck closing this sandwich. The po’ boys at Shrimply Delicious in Greensboro are known for shrimp piled so high it spills right over the roll.
The fast-casual spot on Golden Gate Drive makes its fish baskets and po’ boys to order. Combo fans can grab the Shrimp and Catfish PO Boy or a shrimp and crab meat version, and there is an Oyster PO Boy for anyone who wants a change of pace.
Hushpuppies and fried okra make easy sides. The menu also covers flounder, whiting, scallops, and catfish baskets.
Families will appreciate the kids’ menu, including a Kids Fish Sandwich. Prices usually stay between $10 and $20 per person.
Hours run Monday through Saturday starting at 11 a.m., with Friday open until 10 p.m. Friday evenings get the busiest, so a weekday lunch is the smoother play.
3. On Thyme Restaurant, Wilmington, NC
Philly cheesesteak egg rolls and a shrimp po’ boy on the same table? That is a normal order at On Thyme on Castle Street.
The Wilmington spot started with a food truck and now also has a brick-and-mortar home. Its menu mixes delicately fried or grilled seafood with playful comfort food.
The shrimp po’ boy comes filled with shrimp and does not skimp. Shrimp fans can keep going with Pow Wow Shrimp or the Southern Shrimp Burger.
Other favorites include the OMG Fish Sandwich, Loaded Queso Cheese Fries, and the Turf and Surf Burger. A side of okra rounds things out nicely.
There is a kids’ menu, high chairs, outdoor seating, and a full vegan menu, so mixed groups can all eat well. Reservations are accepted.
Street parking can be tight, so leave a few extra minutes. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
4. Mirro’s Cafe, Waves, NC
Highway 12 road trippers on Hatteras Island have a reason to hit the brakes in Waves. Mirro’s Cafe serves a shrimp po’ boy that tastes like it belongs at the beach.
The shrimp are lightly breaded and served hot, with a little remoulade on a lightly toasted crusty sub roll. It is a lighter take than some of the heavier versions on this list.
Breakfast starts at 8 a.m., which makes this a handy stop before a day on the sand. Later in the day, fish tacos, seafood tacos, and Shrimp and Fries share the spotlight.
The cafe sits close to a campground, and there is plenty of free parking on site. Dogs are welcome outside, and the kids’ menu helps families.
Note the one odd day off. Mirro’s closes on Thursdays but runs 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. the rest of the week.
5. Jettie Rae’s, Asheville, NC
The bread here travels farther than most diners do. Jettie Rae’s in Asheville uses Leidenheimer bread flown in from New Orleans for its po’ boys, and that detail sets this one apart in the mountains.
The shrimp po’ boy is seasoned well and cooked carefully, with the light, crisp bread doing exactly what a po’ boy roll should.
This is the dressiest stop on the list. Expect a seafood tower, caviar service, whole roasted branzino, crab cakes, and baked oysters like Bienville and Rockefeller.
Plan for a bigger bill, usually $50 to $100 per person. Dinner only runs Tuesday through Saturday starting at 5 p.m.
Reservations are recommended since there is usually a wait. Save room for key lime pie.
6. Succotash Southern and Creole Kitchen., Durham, NC
Smoked brisket and Creole gumbo under one roof sounds like a fun identity crisis. At Succotash in Durham, it simply works.
The shrimp po’ boy comes crispy and generous, dressed with homemade sauces and condiments. Smashed potatoes make a strong partner.
Louisiana classics fill out the menu, including jambalaya, red beans and rice, chicken gumbo, and beignets. Fried green tomatoes arrive over mixed greens with pickled red onions.
The brisket side of the kitchen shows up in a smoked brisket plate and even a smoked brisket empanada. Vegan and vegetarian menus are available too.
Timing matters here. The restaurant opens Wednesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner, closes between 3 and 5 p.m., and serves Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
7. Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill, Southport, NC
Ending a road trip on the water just makes sense. Rusty Hooks sits on Fish Factory Road in Southport, serving seafood with scenic views.
The shrimp po’ boy is a regular favorite here. The shrimp come large, tail-off, and hot, with a crunchy batter carrying a tiny bit of heat.
Try sweet potato fries with brown sugar butter on the side. Other picks include Cajun shrimp pasta, Rusty’s crab dip, Maryland-style crab cakes, and fried pickles.
The grill is open every day, with weekend hours starting at 10 a.m. Dogs are allowed inside and out, and reservations are accepted.
Free parking and a kids’ menu keep things simple for families.
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