A po’boy is a traditional sandwich in New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s served on New Orleans French bread, a crisp crust with a light and fluffy center. A po’boy can be filled with hot sausage, grilled chicken, fried shrimp, roast beef, hamburger, fried oyster, fried catfish, or French fries and gravy. All po’boys are served dressed with mayonnaise, tomatoes, pickles, and lettuce.

The po’boy, originally known as a poor boy, has two legends of its genesis. The first account is by Madame Begue in 1896, who ran a coffee stall in the French Market where begged by African American youths for a sandwich “for a poor boy.” She served the sandwiches on French bread similar to today’s po’boys. The second happened in 1929, during a streetcar strike when Beenie and Clovis Martin served free food to any “poor boy” or union worker from their French Market coffee stand restaurant.

John Gendusa baked the original po boy bread back in 1929, and the bakery continues to this day to make French Bread. All you need is $1.25 to get one fresh from the bakery. Just knock twice on the door to get the baker’s attention to buy a loaf or three.