Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Rating
Family of 4
$35-$50 (po-boys $10-16, drinks $2-4).
Duration
45 minutes - 1 hour
Best Ages
Best for all ages
About
Parkway Bakery & Tavern has been serving po-boys since 1911 and is widely considered the best po-boy shop in New Orleans. Located on Bayou St. John in Mid-City, Parkway delivers both exceptional food and an authentic setting.
The roast beef debris po-boy is the house specialty. 'Debris' refers to the scraps and shreds of beef that fall into the gravy during slow roasting -- the most flavorful bits. The gravy soaks into the Leidenheimer French bread, creating a sandwich that is crispy, soft, and intensely beefy. Ordering it 'dressed' (lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickles) is the default.
Fried shrimp, oyster, and catfish po-boys are equally excellent. A regular-sized po-boy is comically large -- easily shareable between a parent and child.
The outdoor seating transforms a great sandwich into a great experience. Picnic tables sit on the bank of Bayou St. John. Kayakers paddle past. Egrets fish in the shallows.
Parkway is a neighborhood institution. The crowd is primarily locals. Order at the counter, grab a number, find a table, and wait for your food. No reservations, no pretension.
Closed Monday and Tuesday. Arrive at 11 AM opening to avoid the lunch rush.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Yes
Nursing / Changing
Not Available
Kid Meals
Not Available
Setting
Indoor & Outdoor
Rainy Day
Great option!
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Early lunch (11-11:30 AM) for shortest waits. The line builds by noon. Closed Monday and Tuesday. The outdoor picnic area on Bayou St. John is the best seating.
Wait Times
11 AM: usually no wait. Noon - 1 PM: 15-30 minute line. Weekend lunch: up to 45 minutes. The line moves steadily.
Nearby Food
Nearby on Bayou St. John: Bayou Beer Garden (family-friendly early, 5 min), 1000 Figs (Mediterranean, 5 min). City Park is 5 minutes away.
Why Kids Love It
Parkway serves what many locals consider the best po-boys in New Orleans. French bread is crispy outside, soft inside, piled high with roast beef debris (slow-cooked beef in rich gravy), fried shrimp, or fried catfish. The roast beef po-boy is the house specialty -- the meat falls apart in gravy that soaks into the bread.
The setting makes the meal memorable. Parkway sits on Bayou St. John, and the outdoor picnic tables overlook the bayou where kayakers paddle, egrets fish, and turtles sun on logs. Kids eat messy po-boys at picnic tables watching boats go by.
The food is unfussy and kid-friendly. It's sandwiches, fries, and drinks at a counter. No pretension. Order, sit outside, eat with your hands, and watch the bayou.
Pro Tips from Parents
- The roast beef debris po-boy is the signature -- order it 'dressed'
- Order a regular and split between two kids -- they're enormous
- Arrive at 11 AM opening to avoid the lunch rush
- Sit at the outdoor picnic tables on Bayou St. John
- Closed Monday and Tuesday -- plan accordingly
What to Bring
- napkins (the gravy is gloriously messy)
- cash or card (both accepted)
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$35-$50 (po-boys $10-16, drinks $2-4).
2 adult po-boys x $14 + share 1 for kids $14 + drinks $10 = ~$40.
Po-boys are HUGE -- a regular easily feeds an adult, and a half feeds a child.
Tips to Save
- Po-boys are massive -- order a regular and split between two kids.
- Half po-boys available.
- This is already one of the most affordable great meals in New Orleans.
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Monday
- Closed
- Sunday
- 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Saturday
- 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Thursday
- 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
