5 po’ boy sandwiches to try in Memphis
Po’ boy. Po-boy. Po boy. No matter how you spell it, it’s a classic New Orleans sandwich.
While we may be six hours up river from the Big Easy, we can still enjoy this delicious sandwich in Memphis.
Many restaurants across Memphis serve a version. They all have different spins on the classic, but the common factor is they all use po’ boy bread shipped from New Orleans.
So, however you spell it (I opted to spell it the same way as Mother’s Restaurant in New Orleans), here are five you should try.
The Second Line: Roast Beef Po’ Boy
Chef Kelly English said the whole reason he opened The Second Line was to have a roast beef po’ boy like he would get at home in New Orleans.
He slow roasts beef and tops it with debris — the roast beef that falls into the au jus gravy in the pan while roasting in the oven. The sandwich is served on Leidenheimer bread with shredded iceberg lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayo. “I make it the way God intended,” English joked of this popular po’ boy.
I do admit, his version is the one in Memphis that reminds me most of what I grew up eating in New Orleans.
Be warned: This is a sandwich that requires a napkin (or two) to eat.
2144 Monroe Ave.; (901) 590-2829; secondlinememphis.com
Lagniappe: BBQ Shrimp Po’ Boy
Lagniappe is a new food truck that opened in April. It is permanently set up in front of Railgarten.
Mason Jambon, a native Louisianan, has created a New Orleans-inspired menu that includes po’ boys, gumbo and crawfish.
He has all the classic po’ boys on his menu, but his BBQ Shrimp Po’ Boy is a standout.
He tosses small shrimp in Zatarain’s fry seasoning, fries them and tosses them in a sweet and spicy Crystal hot sauce honey. I know it sounds odd, but
blue cheese crumbles are the perfect complement to the shrimp. Just trust me.
Jambon said he uses small shrimp so you can have the perfect bite every bite.
2166 Central Ave.; (901) 504-4342; lagniappeseafood.com
Parish Grocery: Fried Crawfish Po’ Boy
Parish Grocery is the newest eatery by Local Gastropub owner Jeff Johnson. When deciding what to do with the space that was formerly Atomic Tiki, he said thought a corner po’ boy shop would the perfect addition to the Evergreen neighborhood. Originally set to open in March, the sandwich shop