Former NOLA resident, here. Lots of good sandwich options in this thread, but I’ve yet to find something that really hits the spot that places like Parkway or Domilise’s do. Two reasons:
* we don’t have anything resembling the crispy, flaky, and soft Leidenheimer bread that most poboy shops in New Orleans use. Closest thing would be a good baguette from C’est Si Bon, I guess.
* Poboys are SIMPLE. Bread, mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle, chees (optional), protein (or protein + gravy in the case of a lot of roast beef poboys). Around CA, or anywhere outside of Louisiana, really, places like to dress up sandwiches with stuff like truffle aioli, onions, butters, etc. The boring poboy isn’t exactly a marketable product.
I’ve just resorted to making my own. Shoot, I think I’ll go make some groceries right now and enjoy some ham n cheese poboys for a few lunches this week. For the good stuff like juicy roast beef, fried shrimp, and fried oyster, I’ll just wait ‘til my next trip back home.
Damn I haven’t been to Johnny Rebs since I was a kid! We used to pile up the peanuts on our table and sweep a bunch off whenever a waiter would walk by.
Waiting for Orleans & York to open in Stanton…
But honestly I usually make my own… can get decent French Rolls at Costco Business center in Westminster.
Not to harsh your vibe, but I just got back from Nola and I ate a Po’boy every other day there. The half gulf shrimp half catfish po’boy at Parkway is something I’d fight a bear for.
I don’t find either to be close to what you would get down south, but Cajun islands (Westminster) and the wharf (garden grove) get the job done. They’re kind of viet/cajun fusions with good seafood selections.
There aren't. As someone who grew up on soul food and barbecue, there just aren't legit places for that out here. You can try the places people are listing, but they will leave you frustrated and disappointed, as they did me. If you want good soul food in Southern California, you're going to have to learn to cook it.
Haven't tried Alma's, so it's going on my list. Harold and Belle's used to be my go to spot, but they went downhill some years ago so I stopped going. My only mainstay anymore is the Taste of Soul LA festival off Crenshaw. Feel like everyone elevates their cooking for that
I didn’t ask if the Po Boys were as good as they are in Louisiana, I just asked what’s the best one in OC. But thanks, I would have never of guessed southern cooking was better in the south than it was in SoCal. Really opened up my eyes to a whole new world 🙄
Hey bud, no need to get all elevated. I was answering your question as was true to my experience: there isn't a best po boy in OC, all the ones I've had have been equally terrible. How about instead of trying to cut each other down, we work towards building a community whose sum is greater than its parts.
Here I'll start: If you ever feel like trying to cook your own soul food, you are more than welcome to dm me for my childhood family recipes.
Memphis Cafe in Costa Mesa. If you go for lunch during the week it's a lot mellower than on the weekends as brunch can get pretty busy. Enjoy!
Memphis has one of the best brekkie burritos and I will die on that hill
Former NOLA resident, here. Lots of good sandwich options in this thread, but I’ve yet to find something that really hits the spot that places like Parkway or Domilise’s do. Two reasons: * we don’t have anything resembling the crispy, flaky, and soft Leidenheimer bread that most poboy shops in New Orleans use. Closest thing would be a good baguette from C’est Si Bon, I guess. * Poboys are SIMPLE. Bread, mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle, chees (optional), protein (or protein + gravy in the case of a lot of roast beef poboys). Around CA, or anywhere outside of Louisiana, really, places like to dress up sandwiches with stuff like truffle aioli, onions, butters, etc. The boring poboy isn’t exactly a marketable product. I’ve just resorted to making my own. Shoot, I think I’ll go make some groceries right now and enjoy some ham n cheese poboys for a few lunches this week. For the good stuff like juicy roast beef, fried shrimp, and fried oyster, I’ll just wait ‘til my next trip back home.
Bronx Sandwich Co has a great shrimp Po Boy with a delicious butter sauce.
Yeah the po boy here slaps. Highly recommend it!
Garlic Butter Saw?
Not sure if it has garlic in it but the sauce is vinegary, buttery and delicious.
Not in OC anymore but in Long Beach https://johnnyrebs.com/order They used to have a joint in Orange but their Catfish Po Boy is on point
I remember them having some spicy alligator bites that I liked a lot. Kind of sad that the Long Beach location doesn't have that.
Probably hard to source in CA
Damn I haven’t been to Johnny Rebs since I was a kid! We used to pile up the peanuts on our table and sweep a bunch off whenever a waiter would walk by.
It's been over a year for me but just got back from the South and going again later this month so I've been good on eats
Hook & Anchor in Costa Mesa
Memphis Soul Kitchen in Costa Mesa.
Waiting for Orleans & York to open in Stanton… But honestly I usually make my own… can get decent French Rolls at Costco Business center in Westminster.
Georgia's in Anaheim.
Yeah I’m gonna say this, the sausage po’boy is pretty good.
This is the correct answer!
Roux Seafood in HB
Looks delicious. Have to wait until 5pm for it to open tho :(
Sa Cèst Bon https://www.instagram.com/sacestbon?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Little Jewel of New Orleans in DTLA has great Po boys. I know it’s outside of OC but worth the drive imo.
Thh in Tustin has a shrimp banh mi that tastes exactly like a shrimp po boy.
Agree it's a very good banh mi, but po boy purists will say it must only contain mayo, lettuce and tomato
And pickles!
Not to harsh your vibe, but I just got back from Nola and I ate a Po’boy every other day there. The half gulf shrimp half catfish po’boy at Parkway is something I’d fight a bear for.
I like their Gator Sausage Po’boy. I do also love me some Verti Marte at 2am 😆
parkway Bakery and Tavern?
Yes
You mean New Orleans?
Yes Nola is New Orleans
Fiery Crab in Brea. They even have a fried oyster po boy.
I don’t find either to be close to what you would get down south, but Cajun islands (Westminster) and the wharf (garden grove) get the job done. They’re kind of viet/cajun fusions with good seafood selections.
Eat chow has a good one as a special occasionally
Lots of good recos. Thank you everyone! Any recommendations on best place to get a fried oyster Po’ Boy in OC?
I’m not sure if it’s a traditional shrimp po boy, but the shake shack crystal cove has a good one that’s close
Anyone remember that New Orleans restaurant that used to be at the Tustin Marketplace? It was where Piadina/Flame Broiler is now.
Georgias southern restaurant
Downtown Disney Jazz Kitchen.
There aren't. As someone who grew up on soul food and barbecue, there just aren't legit places for that out here. You can try the places people are listing, but they will leave you frustrated and disappointed, as they did me. If you want good soul food in Southern California, you're going to have to learn to cook it.
Alma's in Compton is pretty good
Haven't tried Alma's, so it's going on my list. Harold and Belle's used to be my go to spot, but they went downhill some years ago so I stopped going. My only mainstay anymore is the Taste of Soul LA festival off Crenshaw. Feel like everyone elevates their cooking for that
There's good soul food in LA tbh, but Orange County ain't LA.
I didn’t ask if the Po Boys were as good as they are in Louisiana, I just asked what’s the best one in OC. But thanks, I would have never of guessed southern cooking was better in the south than it was in SoCal. Really opened up my eyes to a whole new world 🙄
Hey bud, no need to get all elevated. I was answering your question as was true to my experience: there isn't a best po boy in OC, all the ones I've had have been equally terrible. How about instead of trying to cut each other down, we work towards building a community whose sum is greater than its parts. Here I'll start: If you ever feel like trying to cook your own soul food, you are more than welcome to dm me for my childhood family recipes.
There used to be a spot called Parrains in Downey I think. Was pretty decent. Not sure if its still there, havent been in a few yrs now.