If you think a po boy is just a sandwich, Parkway Bakery & Tavern will change your mind fast. Since 1911, this neighborhood hangout has been the heart of New Orleans po boy culture, where every crunch of French bread sparks a new debate. You will hear arguments at the patio tables about roast beef drippings, shrimp crispiness, and which topping truly wins. Grab a napkin and jump in, because the only way to decide is to taste your way through.
The Legendary Roast Beef Debris
You will hear it first at the counter: order the roast beef debris. Parkway slow cooks beef until it surrenders into spoon-tender shreds, then drenches it in rich gravy that soaks into crackly French bread. One bite, and the argument begins over napkins, because you will need many.
The bread holds just long enough to deliver lightning flavor. Add pickles, lettuce, tomato, and mayo for balance. Drippings kiss your wrists, and you will understand why locals measure po boys by this messy, glorious standard.
Stand on the patio with friends and swap rankings. Is it number one today? At Parkway, the debate tastes as good as the sandwich.
Golden Fried Shrimp Classic
When the fryer sings at Parkway, the shrimp po boy answers. Expect a mountain of golden curls, seasoned just right and fried to a shattering crunch that still reveals sweet Gulf flavor. The bread cracks, the shrimp pops, and you swear it must be top of the list.
Dress it fully with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo for that classic balance. A dash of hot sauce wakes everything up without stealing the show. You will watch plates pass by and feel shrimp envy growing fast.
Out on the patio, this one is the conversation starter. Simple, perfect, and wildly generous. Every bite makes choosing a favorite a delicious kind of impossible.
Barbecue Beef With Gravy Dip
You will spot the regulars ordering extra gravy on the side and know exactly why. Barbecue beef at Parkway is smoky, tender, and begging for a dunk. The dip turns the crust into a saucy, savory miracle without losing its vital crunch.
Every bite swings between sweet barbecue notes and deep beefy richness. It is the kind of sandwich that demands slow eating and involved conversation. Someone will claim it beats roast beef debris, and you might agree by the final third.
Grab extra napkins and lean over the tray like a pro. Parkway has taught New Orleans the right mess is worth it. This is that lesson, loud and delicious.
Hot Sausage With Creole Kick
Craving heat without losing balance? Parkway’s hot sausage po boy brings a steady Creole kick that warms, not overwhelms. The sausage is seared on the flat top, locking in juices and a gentle char that plays perfectly with cool lettuce and tomato.
A swipe of mayo rounds things out, while pickles add a bright snap. You will keep chasing that next bite, because the spice lingers like good conversation. A drizzle of hot sauce turns the dial one notch higher.
On a breezy afternoon, this is the po boy that wakes you up. Bold, satisfying, and proudly local. If you rank by personality, this one is climbing fast.
Alligator Sausage Adventure
You want a story to tell? Order the alligator sausage and watch eyebrows rise at your table. It is smoky, savory, and surprisingly delicate, with Cajun spices that feel adventurous without going wild. The first bite says Louisiana, the second says you are coming back.
Lettuce, tomato, and pickles ride along, but the sausage stays center stage. A little mustard or hot sauce lifts the flavors sharply. You will catch yourself nodding with every crunchy, juicy mouthful.
Out on Hagan Avenue, Parkway makes this feel perfectly normal. That is the charm here: classics next to curveballs. If your ranking rewards originality, this one grabs a top slot quickly.
Golden Catfish On French Bread
The catfish at Parkway wears a golden cornmeal jacket that crackles the moment you bite. Inside, the fillet stays tender and flaky, proof of a fryer handled with care. Citrus squeezes and hot sauce dots send it into irresistible territory.
Dress it fully to keep things bright and balanced. The bread is sturdy yet delicate enough to honor the fish. You will notice how clean the flavors feel, like a perfect afternoon on the bayou without leaving Mid-City.
Debate among friends usually lands this high on seafood lists. It is comfort and crispness in equal measure. If freshness decides your rankings, catfish might win your vote today.
Surf And Turf Indulgence
Can not choose between seafood and beef? Parkway solves it with the over-the-top surf and turf. Fried shrimp pile onto roast beef debris, and gravy threads its way through every crunchy corner. It is messy, decadent, and absolutely the spark for tablewide arguments.
The textures collide in the best way: crisp shrimp, tender beef, and crackly bread. You will need focus and a steady hand, plus determination. Every napkin earns its keep here.
Halfway through, you will declare it number one, then change your mind by the last bite. That is the Parkway effect. It turns indecision into delicious entertainment every time.
Turkey And Gravy Comfort
Comfort food has a New Orleans accent at Parkway. The turkey and gravy po boy arrives steaming, with slices that sip up savory juices without going soggy. It tastes like a holiday plate taught to strut down Hagan Avenue.
Pickles and lettuce keep it lively, while mayo softens the edges. You will notice how the gravy clings to the bread just enough. A little cracked pepper goes a long way here.
If you want mellow warmth instead of fireworks, this is the move. It sneaks up the rankings with pure feel-good energy. Sometimes the top choice is the one that simply hugs back.
Smoked Ham Dressed Right
There is beauty in a classic done exactly right. Parkway’s smoked ham po boy stacks thin slices high, each with a kiss of smoke that whispers instead of shouts. The bread carries, the veggies refresh, and mayo ties it all together.
You will find yourself taking bigger bites than intended. Add mustard if you like a sharper line through the richness. It is the lunch that never argues, just nods along happily with your plans.
When the table votes, ham rarely loses. The simplicity makes ranking easier, or at least calmer. Sometimes the top spot belongs to the sandwich that shows perfect restraint.
The Oyster Day Spectacle
On special oyster days, Parkway becomes a pilgrimage. Golden oysters tumble onto bread in ridiculous abundance, crisp outside and briny inside. The first bite tastes like the Gulf itself decided to party in Mid-City.
Lemon, hot sauce, and pickles keep everything snapping into focus. You will catch yourself guarding your tray like a hawk. This is indulgence that still feels balanced, which is why the line keeps forming out the door.
Ask anyone in line, and you will hear confident top rankings before they even sit. By the last bite, you might agree. Oyster day is proof that timing can change the whole leaderboard.
Grilled All The Way Veggie
Think po boys are only about meat and seafood? The grilled veggie option at Parkway steps up with charred peppers, onions, and mushrooms that feel hearty and bright. The bread gives crunch while the veggies bring smoky sweetness.
Add provolone if you want a melty layer. Dress it for that classic snap and moisture. You will not miss a thing, just keep chasing the balanced bites that feel surprisingly indulgent.
For friends seeking a lighter lane, this one shines. It earns respect at a table full of carnivores, which says plenty. Ranking a veggie po boy this high feels rebellious and absolutely right.
Parkway’s French Bread Hero
The secret weapon is the bread, always has been. Parkway leans on that crackly New Orleans loaf that shatters just enough, then yields to a soft interior. Every filling tastes brighter because the bread keeps time like a drummer.
You will hear the crunch across the patio. That is the sound of rightness, of texture carrying flavor. Without it, rankings would collapse like a soggy picnic.
When people argue about favorites, they are really praising this hero. It is the constant that lets everything else shine. Put the bread at number one and you will not be wrong.
The Patio Culture Debate
Walk onto Parkway’s patio and you join a living debate. Tables lean over baskets, swapping bites and proclamations about the best po boy. The air carries crunches, laughter, and a breeze that smells like gravy and fry oil in the best way.
You will witness rankings change mid-sandwich. That is the charm: food that starts conversations and keeps them going. Cold beers help, as does the easy neighborhood pace.
Newcomers become regulars right here. The patio makes every meal feel like an event. If atmosphere counts in your leaderboard, this spot pushes favorites higher with every sunny afternoon.
History Since 1911
Parkway’s story stretches back to 1911, and you can taste that century in every sandwich. The building feels lived in, the rhythms practiced, the hospitality second nature. You will sense the neighborhood’s heartbeat the moment the door swings open.
Generations have argued over favorites at these counters. Recipes evolve, but the spirit stays stubbornly true. It is a living museum with hot gravy and a cold beer list.
When a place lasts this long, confidence shows in the smallest details. That confidence gives the food a steady hand. Rank your po boys how you want, but history deserves a permanent podium.
Order Like A Local
Here is how to move like you have been here for years. Decide your po boy, choose dressed or not, and speak up for extra gravy or hot sauce. Grab more napkins than feels polite. You will need them.
Ask about daily specials and listen for oyster buzz. Sides and a cold beer round out the tray. The line moves fast, so crisp decisions keep the flow happy.
Find a patio seat, then settle into the rhythm. You will be ranking bites before the first half disappears. That is how Parkway pulls you into the local loop instantly.
Budget Friendly Feast
Parkway proves great does not need to be expensive. Prices sit friendly, portions go generous, and quality stays high. You will likely share a half and still lean back satisfied, which makes room for an extra side or dessert.
The value is part of the legend. Locals keep returning, and visitors brag about it later. That combination means the line includes every kind of eater, all nodding at the same good deal.
If your rankings consider price to joy ratio, this place lands near the top. It is a feast without fuss or guilt. Your wallet and appetite shake hands here.
Hours, Location, Logistics
Before you plan, know the rhythm. Parkway sits at 538 Hagan Ave in Mid-City, opening 10 AM to 6 PM Wednesday through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday. Call +1 504-482-3047 or check parkwaypoorboys.com for updates.
Arrive early on weekends if you want patio space. Parking is neighborhood style, so be patient and courteous. You will spot the crowd and feel instantly at the right address.
Whether you are navigating by rideshare or strolling the Bayou St. John area, it is easy to find. The line is your landmark. Logistics settled, you are free to obsess over the po boy pecking order.
Why Debates Never End
After a few visits, you will realize there is no final champion. Seasons shift, specials rotate, and your mood changes what tastes best. Roast beef wins rainy days, shrimp rules sunny ones, and oyster day steals the crown whenever it appears.
That fluidity makes Parkway addictive. You are not just eating. You are participating in a tradition of joyful indecision.
Make your list, then tear it up next time. The arguments are the point, and the sandwiches ensure they stay friendly. In New Orleans, delicious debate is a civic duty, and Parkway gives you the ballot.