For those of you who love Po’ Boys, I’m taking a poll. Who has the best Po’ Boys in New Orleans, Domilise’s vs Acme? Or do you have another favorite spot for Po’ Boys, anywhere in the USA, that we should check out?
Hot Smoked Sausage Po’ Boy enjoyed at the bar in Domilise’s
For me, the quintessential Po’ Boy is Domilise’s Fried Oyster Po’ Boy, fully dressed. You most likely already guessed that, since I have written about them numerous times. Steve prefers their Fried Shrimp or Hot Smoked Sausage Po’ Boys. But we both agree that Domilise’s is the benchmark for that iconic New Orleans sandwich. And trust me, we have tried them all over Louisiana as well as Healdsburg, California!
Here I am back in 2009 waiting for a table at Domilise’s in NOLA.
Steve and I have been going to Domilise’s since 2006 when we first visited New Orleans in our RV. We asked friends who live in NOLA for some recommendations that were not “tourist traps”. I know they mentioned a whole bunch of places but the two that stuck in my mind were Domilise’s for Po’ Boys and Brigtsen’s for fine dining. And those are the two places that we must return to each and every time we visit the Crescent City. In fact, Domilise’s is almost always our first stop, if we arrive early enough for them to be open. And Brigtsen’s is always our last meal in NOLA. That’s how awesome the food is at both ends of the spectrum!
Domilise’s
Making Po’ Boys at Domilise’s
Domilise’s opened around 1918. It was found by Peter and Sophie Domilise as a neighborhood bar. Shortly after opening, Sophie began cooking plate lunches for the longshoremen and river front workers.
Po’ Boys at Mabel’s in La Place LA
Not long after World War II, Peter Domilise handed over the reins of the small corner bar and sandwich shop to his son, Sam, and daughter in law, Dorothy “Miss Dot” Domilise. When Sam died in 1981, Miss Dot became the owner. For more than 70 years, Miss Dot lived and worked on the corner of Annunciation and Bellcastle Streets.
Muffaletta and Fried Oyster Po’ Boys at Parish Café in Healdsburg CA
The shop is now on the third and fourth generation of owners, but nothing has changed. It’s still the same Domilise’s serving the same delicious shrimp, oyster, roast beef, and sausage po’ boys on fresh, crispy Leidenheimer bread.
Ray, the bartender, has worked there for close to 50 years. Gayle has made sandwiches for over 35 years. Jaime has been Saturday bartender for more than 25 years. Throughout all these years, the menu, the recipes, and the people behind the counter that make Domilise’s special haven’t changed. As the late and great Miss Dot always said “the customer is always the most important thing at Domilise’s”. That mantra lives on to this day and always will. That’s why to me Domilise’s is considered the standard for po-boys in New Orleans.
Sharing Po’ Boys in Abbeville Louisiana
It’s the consistency of the food, the high quality and freshness of ingredients and the value of a fair price for an abundant sandwich that keep us coming back time after time. That, and my favorite hot sauce of all time Crystal.
Acme Oyster House Metairie
For so many years I’ve read about how great the oysters are at Acme Oyster House. It was actually hard to believe that we had never been there. But we usually don’t eat in the French Quarter. We prefer those hidden gems that are tucked away all over New Orleans.
Acme Oyster House opened in 1910, as the Acme Café. It was located in the Acme Saloon Building on Royal Street, next to the Cosmopolitan Hotel. For a while, the café served the French Quarter with its classic seafood. But in 1924, a fire caused the collapse of the Saloon Building. It reopened as Acme Oyster House at Bourbon and Royal Streets in the French Quarter, where it remains today. Over the years they have opened several additional locations.
Cool vibe at Acme Oyster House in Metairie LA
But I was really craving an Oyster Po’ Boy and when we went to Domilise’s for ritual visit, they were out of oysters. Sacrilege! We were forced to have Hot Smoked Sausage Po’ Boys instead. We did not complain one bit. They were so good. Unfortunately that made me crave those elusive fried oysters even more.
A trio of Tabasco Hot Sauces at Acme Oyster House in Metairie LA
After a delightful visit with cousins who live in Metairie, we were driving back to Ladybug and realized we were starving. Lo and behold, right in front of us was the Acme Oyster House location in Metairie. Perfect. We could kill two birds with one stone. Steve and I figured that if Acme didn’t have oysters they would have to close!!!
The ambiance was really cool. Lots of black and white checkers and some red and white ones too. We were seated at a social distanced table where I immediately took note of the assortment of Tabasco Hot Sauces. I ordered my Fried Oyster Po’ Boy and I honestly couldn’t tell you what Steve got. I was way too focused on those oysters.
My Fried Oyster Po’ Boy at Acme Oyster House in Metairie was good, but not as good as those at Domilise’s in New Orleans
My sandwich was really good. Lots of fresh, crispy, fried oysters and pretty much the same bread. I practically inhaled it while savoring the oysters at the same time. But for me, something was lacking. It was almost, but not quite, as good as Domilise’s. I could not pin point why it didn’t taste as good. Was it the atmosphere? Domilise’s is more of a hole in the wall dive but feels so homey and inviting. Was it the sauce or other items that make it fully dressed? Or was it the Tabasco instead of my favorite Crystal Hot Sauce? Perhaps it was a combination of all three.
Yummy Fried Oyster Po’ Boy from Domilise’s enjoyed in the comfort of our RV
Steve and I totally agreed, Domilise’s has the very best Po’ Boys on the planet! What are your thoughts?
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