The Best Po’Boys in Baton Rouge

Are you longing for a big bite of Louisiana comfort food? You might be dreaming of a po’boy packed with juicy chunks of crispy-fried shrimp, dressed to perfection. If you live in Baton Rouge, a mouthwatering po’boy isn’t hard to find. The only trouble is, you’ll have to decide where to get your po’boy, with dozens of po’boy-worthy restaurants to choose from.

Po’boys aren’t only delicious and satisfying sandwiches packed with tasty fillings and lots of love, but they also represent a piece of Louisiana’s past. Po’boys have become so popular, restaurants all over the country are trying to replicate these special sandwiches. However, only in Louisiana can you find genuine po’boys as commonly as French fries and hamburgers.

The history of the po’boy sandwich is mysterious, and you may have heard different stories. However, many Baton Rougeans accept the story of brothers Clovis and Bennie Martin — former streetcar conductors and creators of the po’boy.

It started in the 1920s when the Martin brothers opened a restaurant in New Orleans. When streetcar operators went on strike, the brothers served up free sandwiches to unemployed workers. The sandwiches consisted of gravy and roast beef on French bread. When a worker came in to get free grub, someone in the kitchen would jokingly cry, “Here comes another poor boy,” or as they say in Louisiana, “po’boy.”

Thanks to the Martin brothers and other chefs who worked to feed families with these oversized sandwiches during the Great Depression, Baton Rougeans now have their pick of authentic po’boy joints. As you’ll see, there is no one-size-fits-all po’boy. Po’boys can be stuffed with all kinds of scrumptious fillings, from fried oysters to ham and cheese. As long as it’s served on French bread and dressed with lettuce, tomato, mayo and pickles, you’ll be biting into the real deal.

Whether you want a popular seafood po’boy or something more adventurous, there are plenty of places to get your po’boy fix. In this post, we’ll journey around to show you where to get the best po’boys in Baton Rouge. Hope you’re hungry!

1. Milford’s on Third

Have you ever eaten a New York deli-style sandwich, stacked high with fresh meats and toppings? If so, imagine combining a towering deli sandwich with Southern comfort food. Welcome to Milford’s on Third.

Milford’s on Third has to-die-for po’boys that mix delicatessen flair with authentic Louisiana flavors. Try the hot sausage po’boy — a split green onion sausage link with all the fixin’s — or the Third Street — a po’boy stuffed with roast beef, provolone, pickles, mayo and gravy.

Milford’s on Third also has dozens of other tantalizing sandwiches for a quick lunch that’s out of the ordinary. Want to experience house-corned turkey? Try the Jaybird Sandwich. How about an authentic pastrami-on-rye sandwich? You can’t go wrong with Milford’s.

2. The Chimes Restaurant and Tap Room

The Chimes is well-loved for its relaxed family-friendly atmosphere and commitment to great service. Also, they’ve been serving up po’boy classics for more than 25 years.

With three different locations, Baton Rouge residents are never far away from a fun meal or drink at Chimes. Chimes is known for their home-cooked specialties like NOLA-style BBQ shrimp po’boys or po’boys packed with oysters or catfish. They also serve traditional roast beef po’boys to keep history and taste buds alive and well. Choose drinks from an extensive beer list, and eats from a menu that features not only po’boys but small plates like alligator, shrimp nachos or lagniappe cakes.

3. Acme Oyster House

Since 1910, Acme Oyster House has been feeding customers Creole classics from jambalaya to buttery seafood etouffee in a lively, casual atmosphere. This chain restaurant has locations throughout Louisiana. Fortunately, Baton Rougeans can stop into Acme Oyster House for a lip-smacking po’boy whenever they feel the craving.

At Acme, you’ll find one-of-a-kind po’boys on the menu. For example, they offer the Fried Peace Maker Po’Boy, which features fried oysters and shrimp and Tabasco-infused mayo. They also serve fried soft-shell crab po’boys and their famous Acme “10-Napkin Roast Beef” po’boy for a messy but divine po’boy experience.

4. Sammy’s Grill

What makes Sammy’s a community favorite? Is it the friendly atmosphere or the homemade fried cheese? How about the packed specialty po’boys filled with favorites like grilled shrimp and prime rib? Both locals and out-of-towners rave about Sammy’s po’boys and other home-cooked Southern treats, making Sammy’s a worthwhile spot.

5. Anthony’s Italian Deli

Want an Italian-style po’boy? If so, head to Anthony’s Italian Deli for a tomatoey twist on a Louisiana classic.

Founded in 1978, this family-run business has always aimed to create a dining experience just like the delis is in the old country. As a patron, you can expect to eat at a table covered in a red-and-white-checkered tablecloth surrounded by family photos hung on the wall. You’ll feel like part of the family right away, all while enjoying amazing food.

At Anthony’s, you can request your po’boy on traditional bread or large muffuletta bread. Customers love that Anthony’s po’boys are toasted and pressed — a unique feature you can’t find everywhere.

Choose from Italian deli classics like The Godfather or the Meatball Po-boy. Their specialty is the New Orleans-Style Muffuletta, which is stuffed with meats like capicola and mortadella and topped with a homemade olive mix and a special dressing, available as a po’boy or on shareable muffuletta bread.

6. Rocco’s New Orleans Style Po-Boys and Cafe

Troy “Rocco” Moreau has been around po’boys his whole life. As a New Orleans native, his po’boy passion started young, from the days he worked in his grandparents’ deli. When he moved to Baton Rouge to study at Louisiana State University (LSU), he was shocked to find a lack of authentic po’boy eateries. Soon, he began to dream of opening a po’boy restaurant, and he made that dream a reality in 1997.

On Rocco’s menu, you’ll find an array of specialty po’boys with the traditional dressings. You can choose from beefy po’boys like Mikey’s Meatball or the Texan-inspired Uncle Bucky’s BBQ Beef po’boy. Get a taste of New Orleans with the French Quarter Fry — a po’boy stuffed with French fries and homemade gravy — or try Rocco’s Roast Beef, a New Orleans classic.

There are also a few Italian items on the menu, like the original Seafood Muffuletta or Guido’s Italian Po’Boy.

7. Bistro Byronz

Want your gumbo served po’boy-style? Welcome to Bistro Byronz, an inspiring restaurant that is proud to combine Parisian flair with Southern hospitality in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere.

This family-owned restaurant is all about friends, family and good conversation — and, of course, delicious po’boys. Influenced by French flavors, their po’boys will make you feel rich. Try the Debris po’boy if you’re in the mood for pot roast and Creole gravy, or their Back of the Stove Chicken po’boy, which is stuffed with chicken, gravy, caramelized onions and pickles. If you’re craving seafood, dive into their creamy remoulade-drizzled fried shrimp po’boy.

We say Bistro Byronz is definitely worth a stop — where else can you get a po’boy with a side of haricot verts or carrot souffle?

8. Randy Montalbano’s Seafood and Catering

Do you prefer your po’boy shrimp fried, boiled or Buffalo-style? You can take your pick at Montalbano’s — a favorite seafood po’boy spot in Baton Rouge.

Run by a father-and-son team with a love for crawfish, catering and juicy po’boys, Montalbano’s is the go-to choice for many Baton Rougeans who have a hankering for a fresh, flavorful seafood po’boy. Can’t decide between oysters or fish? Choose a Half & Half po’boy, and set sail for po’boy paradise.

9. Poor Boy Lloyd’s

Since 1967, Poor Boy Lloyd’s has been serving up authentic New Orleans “poor boys” to hungry downtowners. With a cozy, old-school diner feel, customers can enjoy all the po’boy classics at Poor Boy Lloyd’s, from the Italian Special to the Rich Boy — a ham and beef po’boy.

Poor Boy Lloyd’s also offers lots of tasty sides, from fried pickles to red beans and rice, and a breakfast menu rife with hearty favorites. You might find them serving up out-of-the-ordinary sausages too, like rabbit or alligator sausage. On the right day, you could catch a live band and dine to jazzy tunes. To many, Poor Boy Lloyd’s is a Baton Rouge staple and represents the place they call home.

10. Pastime Restaurant and Lounge

Some customers claim Pastime has the best roast beef po’boy in Baton Rouge. Chefs at Pastime simmer their beef for 10 hours until it’s moist, tender and ready for a po’boy. They also offer cold sliced beef po’boys, and famous roast beef po’boys smothered in barbecue sauce.

For something different, try their Canadian Burger Po’Boy, which is a cheeseburger topped with Canadian bacon, or a Hot Dog Po’Boy. Although they offer traditional po’boys using French bread, you can also opt for Texas toast, rye bread or a hamburger bun instead.

Originally a grocery store in the 1920s, Pastime Restaurant become a favorite spot for students, faculty and anyone looking to cure their hunger and spend a good time before an LSU football game.

11. Dempsey’s

With a goal to make people happy with good food, Dempsey’s chefs cook from scratch and season dishes with love and care. At Dempsey’s, they focus on serving authentic Louisiana cooking, including extraordinary po’boys. They’ve turned Southern comfort food into po’boy favorites, including boudin ball po’boys, fried green tomato po’boys and crawfish po’boys.

At Dempsey’s, you’ll find all kinds of gravy-drenched po’boys, too, like po’boys stuffed with French fries, gravy and cheese. Try their unique shrimp, roast beef and cheese po’boy or their well-loved fried shrimp po’boy.

If you’re looking for a mix of tradition and innovation, check out Dempsey’s. They’ll be happy you stopped by.

12. Parrain’s Seafood

People love Parrain’s, and many say it’s one of the best places for po’boys in Baton Rouge. Because locals and travelers alike rave about Parrain’s, you might want to make a reservation before you head out.

Parrain’s seafood po’boys are favorites among restaurant-goers. However, it’s not just the fresh, quality seafood that makes Parrain’s stand out. Customers love to dine in Parrain’s cozy, rustic setting, and they have a porch seating area so you can enjoy a po’boy surrounded by the great outdoors.

Ask around, and you might find some claim they have the best shrimp po’boys in town. However, catfish and oyster po’boys are also a hit at this joint.

13. George’s

George’s has a dive-bar vibe and towering fried seafood po’boys fans can’t get enough of. The original George’s is about a minute from Parrain’s, so why not try them both?

Perkins Road is a competitive place when it comes to seafood po’boys, because some claim George’s, not Parrain’s, has the best po’boys in Baton Rouge. George’s po’boys are piled high with fried goodness, whether that be shrimp, catfish or oysters.

They also offer muffuletta po’boys and tasty desserts to end a salty meal with a sweet note. If you go to George’s, make sure you’re hungry or plan to order half of a po’boy. If you like it there, you might leave singing their motto, “Business is great. People are terrific. Life is wonderful.” Or, you can request a free bumper sticker if you’re too stuffed to sing.

14. Tony’s Seafood Market and Deli

At Tony’s, Louisiana‘s “largest seafood market,” you can expect to satisfy all of your seafood needs, including an urge for a yummy po’boy.

Tony’s started as a small produce business in 1959. As Tony soon discovered the local love of seafood, he expanded to meet customer demands and began to offer fresh seafood like shrimp, crawfish and crabs. By the 1980s, Tony’s sold as much as 50,000 pounds of live and boiled crawfish in a single day.

There are so many delicious items to choose from when you visit Tony’s. People love Tony’s famous crawfish pies and seafood boudin balls. Try a catfish po’boy or Tony’s Famous Muffuletta. Enjoy a side of boiled peanuts or head cheese, and you’ll be good to “geaux!”

Hope to See You at Milford’s on Third

With so many po’boy spots, it’s tough to say which one offers the best po’boy sandwich in Baton Rouge. Some claim Parrain’s has the best seafood po’boys in Baton Rouge, while others will say Dempsey’s. Each eatery serves a unique version of this classic New Orleans sandwich, so a lot depends on personal preference.

It can be a challenge deciding where to get your po’boy. Set the stress aside and stop in at Milford’s on Third. At Milford’s on Third, we have sandwiches and po’boys you can rely on for deliciousness, plus out-of-this-world salads, sides and the best breakfast in Baton Rouge.

From assorted pastries and fresh coffee to nourishing handhelds for on-the-go mornings, we have what you need for a meal that’s quick, scrumptious and satisfying. No time for catching up with friends at a cozy table? Grab a healthy snack from our Wall of Chill, like a refreshing smoothie or yogurt for a delicious breakfast or lunch when you’re short on time.

Located on the ground floor of the Watermark hotel, we are the perfect downtown location for you to visit with co-workers and enjoy a relaxing, satisfying lunch. Warm your spirit with our signature matzo ball soup, enjoy a crisp, healthy salad or fill up with a stuffed hot or cold sandwich. End your break with a heavenly brownie, lemon bar or cookie and feel energized for the rest of the day.

Where else can you get an NYC-style pastrami sandwich or an authentic po’boy? Let Milford’s on Third be your go-to choice for great food. You’ll love your workday with Milford’s nearby!