Best Po’ Boy Sandwiches In Coastal Mississippi

The po’ boy originated in New Orleans someday round 1929. The legend begins with the Martin boys, two brothers who moved from Raceland, Louisiana, in 1910 to work as streetcar conductors. After they may, they left their day jobs and opened up a espresso stand and restaurant within the French Market. The stand grew to become in style with their fellow streetcar employees. When the employees went on strike in 1929, Bennie and Clovis Martin pledged to provide their pals free meals till the strike was over. They got here up with a filling sandwich for the “poor boys.” Crisp French bread full of meat or fried seafood to maintain them full. A New Orleans basic was born. 

A po’ boy (or poor boy) is normally on each menu in New Orleans and across the space. The affect of the tradition and traditions of New Orleans is seen in every single place on the Mississippi coast. You will discover a po’ boy on menus in most cities alongside the 62-mile stretch from starting to finish. However with culinary affect from across the globe on the coast, you’ll uncover a number of twists to the custom. I traveled via 5 Mississippi coastal cities and tasted the Martin brothers’ iconic invention in Bay St. Louis, Cross Christian, Biloxi, Pascagoula, and Ocean Springs. This highway journey was scrumptious and one that everybody ought to expertise.

Notice: I used to be a visitor of Coastal Mississippi for parts of this journey and was hosted for some meals. All opinions are my very own.

1. Bay St. Louis

At 200 North Beach Restaurant and Bar, the emphasis is on contemporary seafood and an ideal environment. Chef Bernard Carmouche, a New Orleans native, began his profession at 17, washing dishes at Commander’s Palace. He then spent a few years working with Chef Emeril Lagasse. The Echo Constructing, in-built 1903 to accommodate the Sea Coast Echo newspaper, is a fantastic instance of early Twentieth-century structure in Bay St. Louis. Fortunately, it was nonetheless standing after Hurricane Katrina, which wreaked havoc on the coast as a Class 3 storm in 2005. Ann Tidwell and her household restored the constructing. At present, it’s a stunning restaurant with gorgeous bay views from the wrought-iron terrace.

The menu gives three sorts of fried po’ boys: shrimp, oyster, or catfish. I selected the shrimp, and it got here “dressed” (with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayonnaise) on a foot-long baguette-style roll. The packed sandwich was overflowing with a hearty portion of crispy fried shrimp on the roll, plus all of the fixings. A basket of golden fries was on the facet. This sandwich was unbelievable. The shrimp had been contemporary, not greasy, and mixed with all of the toppings was a savory mixture. I wanted to chop it in half to eat it, but it surely was well worth the indulgence. In an space with shrimp caught within the waters outdoors the doorways, you will need to order a shrimp po’ boy at 200 North Seaside.

2. Cross Christian

The tiny waterfront city of Pass Christian has a surprising harbor on the Mississippi Sound studded with shrimping and pleasure boats docked within the marina. It appears like a film set. Proper on the waterfront is the unique Shaggy’s restaurant, which opened in 2007. Shaggy’s took form after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the world in 2005. Ron Ladner, a summer season house owner and businessman was approached in 2005 and requested to purchase the previous bait store. He determined to pursue the mission, however two months later, the whole lot was gone. As soon as the Ladners recovered, they rebuilt the constructing the place the bait store was, painted it crimson, and named it Shaggy’s after a 1940’s tavern with a colourful repute within the Cross.

The brilliant crimson restaurant gave everybody hope and is a favourite amongst locals and guests. The within has vibrant coloured partitions and an island vibe. Images of fishermen with their catches embellish the house, and island music performs inside and outside. On the deck, fabulous water views invite you to sip their specialty cocktails. The po’ boy of the day after I went was native fried redfish. Two substantial parts of fried fish fillets dressed with lettuce and tomato. The tartar sauce was on the facet, together with a beneficiant quantity of french fries. The redfish was contemporary. It was crisp, white, and flaky, with a fragile taste. When you add the cool toppings and creamy tartar sauce, it’s a complete deal with. I took half residence as a result of it’s too large for one sitting. You possibly can simply cut up this with a accomplice and have an appetizer to make a whole meal.

3. Biloxi

As soon as referred to as the seafood capital of the world, Biloxi, Mississippi noticed an increase within the Vietnamese inhabitants in 1975. Refugees left Vietnam to flee the Fall of Saigon, and plenty of relocated to coastal Mississippi. As fishermen, they might earn a residing in Biloxi. When Katrina hit, a lot of that trade was devastated. 

Sue Nguyen-Torjusen’s father got here to Biloxi to shrimp however went into the baking enterprise and by no means regarded again. Sue and her household personal and function Le Bakery in Biloxi. The next for this in style spot is famous. In the event you ask anybody the place to get a po’ boy in Biloxi, they’ll steer you to Le Bakery for the Bánh Mì, a French Vietnamese po’ boy. Sandwiches made-to-order come on eight-inch house-made baguettes dressed with garlic mayonnaise, julienned carrots, marinated daikon, onions, cilantro, and a slice of scorching jalapeño. I selected the coconut curry rooster with rooster marinated in a barely spicy coconut curry sauce. Topped with all of the flavorful additions, it was a feast for all of the senses. A French Vietnamese bakery within the coronary heart of Biloxi, Mississippi, promoting Vietnamese po’ boys? Sure, and it was essentially the most scrumptious sandwich for a low worth.

4. Pascagoula

Pascagoula, Mississippi, is residence to Jimmy Buffet and Bozo’s Seafood Market po’ boys. They had been ranked within the Prime 20 Seafood Dives in America by Coastal Residing Journal. Bozo’s opened in 1956 and is a third-generation household enterprise that serves meals of their seafood market. There are communal tables with condiments and napkins in a bucket on the tables. You stand in line and order from the counter, and when prepared, it comes wrapped in paper in a white paper bag. Po’ boys are available half or massive with seafood or meat choices. 

Since this can be a seafood market, I ought to’ve ordered shrimp, oyster, or gentle shell crab, however po’ boys are additionally conventional as meat or meat and cheese sandwiches. The lady on the counter assured me that after the shrimp, the roast beef is the most effective. I ordered a half roast beef dressed and waited. Once I unwrapped it, it was a messy po’ boy. The brown gravy oozed from the perimeters, and the tomato slid sideways. Once I acquired all of it collectively, I used to be in sandwich heaven. Bozo’s was po’ boy nirvana.

5. Ocean Springs

Ocean Springs, Mississippi, is residence to many nice reside music venues which have unbelievable meals. The Government Street Grocery is a kind of locations. The particular, a jerk fried shrimp po’ boy, was spicy. It’s fried shrimp in a spicy jerk sauce wearing lettuce and tomato with a pickle spear on the facet. I ordered a facet of fried okra. Lower in rounds; it was golden, crunchy, and yummy to munch. I beloved the outside seating and funky vibe at this restaurant. Although they aren’t a po’ boy place, they know how you can make a incredible sandwich. I beloved the kick of the jerk spice and the pile of shrimp on the crisp baguette.

Professional Suggestions

• Po’ boys are normally made with fried seafood. In the event you don’t like fried seafood, ask for sautéed. Eating places can do that, however native shacks may not. 
• Roast beef or ham and cheese po’ boys are tasty and conventional. Many stands supply them too.
• In the event you like spice, Vietnamese po’ boys are incredible, as are jerk variations. Go for it.
• Get your po’ boy “dressed” with all of the fixings for an genuine expertise.
• Po’ boys are normally a foot lengthy. In the event you don’t have an enormous urge for food, order a half portion, cut up it with a buddy, or avoid wasting later.
• What makes a po’ boy? The bread. It’s at all times served on a French baguette.