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Johnny's Po-Boys
Categories: Restaurants Sandwiches Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
511 St. Louis StNew Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 524-8129
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 8:30 am - 3 pm
Fri-Sun 8 am - 4:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
401 reviews for Johnny's Po-Boys
Review Highlights
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"and the soft shell crab was my ultimate FAVE." In 22 reviews -
"Located in the heart of the French Quarter." In 32 reviews -
"Roast beef, ham, turkey, swiss, etc." In 40 reviews
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401 reviews in English
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Review from Dennis H.
5/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was in a bit of rush and was trying to make sure I ate everything I wanted to NO and the last thing on the list was a Po Boy and luckily Johnny's was down the way from Cafe Du Monde. I ordered a Fried Shrimp Po Boy. The bread was nice and soft, the shrimps fried perfectly, the lettuce messy with some mayo. I was tempted to get a breakfast sandwich too but maybe some day.
Check - done! -
Review from Lan G.
4/26/2012 2 photos
We went there for brunch. We heard a lot about this place but this is truly more a tourist spot.
They have a huge menu and offer a big variety of po-boys. I shared one Oyster Po-Boy and Softshell Crab Po-Boy (which is not listed on the menu and you will have to ask for it) with my friend. It's definitely a lot of food to share between two people, so we picked out the bread. They tasted okay. I liked the softshell crab po-boy I got at Acme Oyster house much better.
Tip: there are more tables at the back of the place and they only take cash! -
Review from Ellen C.
PoBoys are one of the quintessential foods of NOLA and searching for great PoBoys is epic to say the least.
It seems in the quest to find the very best near the French Quarter, most answered Johnny's.
I may not have expertise in tasting PoBoys but, I do know when my taste buds are deprived. The catfish and crawfish PoBoys tasted the same. The use of the same batter and fryer oil made it hard to differentiate between the two. The overall taste needed more taste. Perhaps cheese might have added something more?
It's busy here. I guess word gets around with tourists. I found it not to be what I was looking for, just something to satiate my hunger and get some kind of PoBoys in me during my trip.
They do have bottled beer.
Cash only. -
Review from Vaishali S.
Mountain View, CA
5/8/2012
I was unfortunately disappointed with this place. After hearing so much about it, missing closing time by 5 minutes one day, and finally making it on my last day before my flight...I was expecting much more. I ordered the shrimp po'boy dressed. The shrimp was good, but the "dressed" parts barely covered half of the sandwich (they are HUGE, btw). I was eating dry bread and fried shrimp with lettuce. I needed a lot more sauce, pickles, tomatoes to make this something I'd crave in the future!
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Review from Matthew C.
Irvine, CA
5/11/2012
Perfect shrimp po-boy. Perfect bread, batter, sauce. Perfect.
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Review from Rosalyn C.
Miami, FL
5/13/2012
Super delicious but HUGE! Only order half!! We had the soft shell crab poboys (one is at least 12 inches and filled to the brim with meat) and gumbo. Too hectic, busy, and packed.
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Review from Kathryn F.
Chicago, IL
4/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Heard a woman on my flight into NoLA that this was a decent spot...then saw it listed in Lonely Planet and knew that I could trust it.
Ordered a fried shrimp po'boy. I came in around 2 pm, the line was only 2 deep and I received my fresh sandwich within 10 minutes.
The po'boy was stuffed (spilling really) with flavorful shrimp. The bread left something to be desired--maybe because they were going to close within the hour and that was the end of the bread? The dressing included lettuce and pickles---and I requested no mayo.
The po'boy was $12.50 dressed, which was a little pricey...but it IS the French Quarter.
There was ample seating available since it was close to closing time. All tables had napkins and Louisiana hot sauce. Pitchers of water available at the counter.
Cash only! (Though there is an ATM inside)Listed in: Hola, NoLA
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Review from Dan R.
Lawrence, MA
5/2/2012
Damn you Johnny and your great Po-Boys! I was trying to ramp down after a long week of Jazz Fest! Forget about it! This is an awesome value. Huge portion, great food nice price. Right around the corner from Jackson Square. The Catfish and Alligator Sausage Po-Boys are off the hook.
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Review from Amy H.
Berkeley, CA
5/10/2012
Great Muffuletta...better than most around the Quarter. I like that they grill it for you if you want. Friends like the meatball sub. Always go to Johnny's when in town.
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Review from Jackie S.
3/23/2012 4 photos
We ate a late lunch at Johnny's Po Boys after completing the Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon. It was crowded due to the runners so we had to wait to get to the cash register and for our food be prepared. The portions are huge! A lot of people ordered something fried and the original muffaletta.
We had two extremely filling sandwiches -
Soft Shell Crab Po Boy ($12.95) - We read about this sandwich on Yelp, but it wasn't on the menu. Luckily my hubby asked if the sandwich was available, and it was! This sandwich was a foot long and had lots of fried soft shell crab. My hubby got full after eating 1/2 a sandwich, but somehow managed to finish majority of it.
Seafood Muffaletta ($12.75) - Oh boy. I knew that we were in trouble when I saw the size of this sandwich. It was an open faced muffaletta with over 20 fried shrimp, 10 oysters, and 2 pieces of fish. The seafood was too high to close the sandwich. I'm pretty sure my life expectancy went down five years from eating the delicious fried food.
This place charges 60 cents for "dressed" sandwiches which consist of lettuce, tomatoes, mustard, and/or mayo.
You could sit in the main dining area, or upstairs in the ice cream/candy shop.
Cash only. -
Review from Adrienne K.
San Diego, CA
3/22/2012
Hearty. Delicous. Generous portions. Fresh baked bread and fresh deli meats.
Cute interior, quick turn around time considering the long lines. -
Review from Rainbow C.
Irvine, CA
4/10/2012
Went to this place for our first lunch in New Orleans, because the Muffuletta was featured on Best Thing I Ever Ate, New Orleans special. According to Wikipedia, a muffuletta is a round, Sicilian bread that is sliced and filled with olive salad, layers of salami, pepperoni, ham, and many other meats and goodies. It was actually quite tasty, and humongous (can feed 2 people). I didn't think it was THAT much better than other sandwiches out there, but when I saw other Muffulettas at other restaurants in the Big Easy, I think Johnny's did look the best. Also tried the shrimp Po Boy, which was ok. The line was super long, and there was a non-stop influx of customers during our whole lunch.
Bottom Line: Fun to try, very touristy, pretty darn good muffuletta but it wasn't a life-changing experience. -
Review from Sarah L.
3/15/2012
Even in our drunken stupor, my friend and I managed to remember the name of one of the most highly recommended places to get a Po'Boy in NO. Everyone and their mothers recommends this place.
This is one of those "mission" types of establishments: you have a deep hankering for a PoBoy, so you get in, wait the half hour in line and for your food, you get out, and enjoy. Craving taken care of.
Surprisingly, my friend and didn't get a Po'Boy. We got their muffaletta, which is HUGE. We probably could've split one between ourselves, but hey, (we were on vacation!) This muffaletta was on half of a round 10 inch piece of bread, and we finished both of ours! Needless to say I didn't eat any other meal the rest of the day.
I want to go back and try the Po'Boys, just to see what the fuss is about. But the muffaletta is prety darn tasty - straight up, simple, and good. Can't go wrong with deli meat and a salty olive mix. Was worth waiting in the small cramped quarters for.
Don't forget to bring cash and your patience. -
Review from Kenny F.
New Paltz, NY
4/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
I mean, for an 'institution' I expected better. The soft shell crab po boy was good, but nothing incredible and hardly worth the $16.
I was told afterwards that I should have gotten the crab cake po boy instead. Not sure I'd actually go back so who knows if I'll try that next time I'm in NOLA.
The front was jammed with people sitting and standing so had to sit in the back and it smelled like someone shat on the floor. Not really pleased with how many people raved about this place and it being sub-par at best. -
Review from Rachel L.
3/17/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Soooo many freakin' choices at this place. I love Johnny's and, while they do have other things, it's their po-boys that make me happy. I love love love the sweet potato one, dressed. Delicious.
They only take cash and I believe there is an ATM on site but if not, there are plenty near-by. There's seating in a back room so head toward the left of the grill. It's quieter back there. If you don't want to wait for a table to come available, consider calling ahead to place a to-go order.
I make it a point to hit this place when I visit the Crescent City. The food is great and the location is perfect for a nice stroll along the Mississippi after. -
Review from Joe P.
Elmont, NY
5/7/2012
The muffuletta and the soft shell crab po boy are great. I stayed in the French Quarter for a week, and I think I ate lunch here 3 of the days. Super busy, but I'm just there for the food.
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Review from Pauline P.
El Monte, CA
Small and crowded with so many options!
// LOCATION // French Quarter
// FOOD //
+Chicken Tenders Po-Boy: The chicken was true to its name, tender! The outside was perfectly fried and battered. The bread itself wasn't memorable though. The sandwiches are HUGE. One is definitely more than enough for 2 people to share.
Would still love to go back and try some of other options such as shrimp or fried oysters! -
Review from Nathan L.
2/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Our last meal in New Orleans, we were willing to wait in line for one last po-boy. My meal was 13 bucks for half a shrimp poboy, a drink and a side of gumbo. The poboy was a little underwhelming and the gumbo was average. It wouldnt have been that bad of an experience had we not gone upstairs and just witnessed one of the rudest workers there...
if youre Johnny's, please do something with the female ice cream worker that throws around attitude like its her job. She was making sarcastic remarks about not being a waiter and not picking up after anyones throw-away plates. Newsflash girl - Youre an hourly paid employee at a sandwhich shop. We know youre not a waitress, but keeping the place clean should be in your job description. She also threw a fit when the table next to us moved the table 12 inches to be closer to their friends.
Meh. I've experienced better...and without an attitude from the employees.Listed in: NOLA
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Review from Jessie H.
Parkville, MD
3/22/2012
Traveled to NOLA with a large group of friends. All of them ate here for various meals throughout the weekend. Our last day in New Orleans, we decided to grab a quick Po-Boy before heading the airport. I ordered the fried chicken po-boy and my husband ordered the cheeseburger Po-Boy. Too much food for both us!! We should have split one. The bread was fantastic and we both enjoyed our Po-Boy selections. No need to order any sides. The place is really busy, so be prepared to order when you get to the counter. It took only 10 minutes for our food to be ready which was impressive considering how busy it was. I will return again!
Huge portions, Large Po-Boy selection, cash only, milkshakes/icecream upstairs! -
Review from Laura D.
New Orleans, LA
First time I ever ate a po'boy in New Orleans and I have to say I wish I had ordered the muffaletta. I had a 1/2 shrimp po'boy with gumbo and while the gumbo was outstanding, the po'boy lacked flavor and tasted a bit past its prime. Good service and friendly atmosphere. My bf had the muffaletta and I think it may be the best in the city.
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Review from Andrew A.
Omaha, NE
3/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Overall (8/10)
Food (8/10)
Atmosphere (7/10)
Service (7/10)
Well this place was good. Not knowing what to expect from this place I gave it a shot. The sandwiches are good, i mean it is fried things (or deli meats) on bread. Good, possibly above average, but nothing to rave about. Still worth the time to eat here though. If I lived in the area, I may explore more and see where else I could eat. It had the vibe of being very touristy.
Would I be back?
Yeah, It was a decent lunch -
Review from Lourdes D.
Miami, FL
1/20/2012
Had lunch here on the second day of a trip to NOLA and the line went aaaaaaaall the way outside the restaurant. It was so busy, I scoured for tables like a vulture and plopped myself down in order to reserve some seats for myself and my gal pals. I ordered a shrimp po' boy, and it was awesome. It's basically Cuban bread with fried shrimp, lettuce and mayo, but it just tastes SO good. The portion is huge, so I found it difficult to finish it all, and since fries were also ordered, it became even more of a battle between my mouth and my stomach.
The servers are fast, so you won't be in line for too long, and you gotta have a po' boy in NOLA, so stick around and enjoy Johnny's! -
Review from Gloria H.
Couple blocks from the hotel, we passed by so many times without walking in - silly.
Locals recommended this place, they are only open for breakfast and lunch. The place is always busy - you can grab it to go or tried to find a table.
The staff is super friendly and make you feel welcomed. What we had:
Egg and cheese biscuit - $2.75 - the biscuit is legit! Crumbly, moist and buttery - delicious with the egg and cheese!
Bowl of gumbo - $5.95 - came with toast - pretty good.
Coffee - $1.95.
Great spot to pick up a quick sandwich for breakfast or lunch.Listed in: New Orleans - home away from…
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Review from Carrie P.
Cumming, GA
3/6/2012
Our first afternoon in NOLA and we wanted something good to eat for lunch. We also wanted something authentic - why go out of town and eat the same food you can get at home?
While walking up Decatur Street we came across a gentleman collecting money for a charity and asked him, "if you were to eat lunch anywhere in the city today, where would you go?" Without hesitation he pointed down St. Louis Street and said, "right there." We asked him what he would order and again without any hesitation he said, "The Johnny's Special" and told my husband that if he could finish it all he was more of a man than him.
The challenge was on. We must have arrived at just the right time because there were only 20 or so people in line. By the time we left, the line was around the block.
The line itself did move very slowly but we were able to chat up some locals in line behind us and get an idea of the vibe of the restaurant.
I ordered half a shrimp po' boy and a bag of chips. The worker rang me up for the special which was considerably more expensive and came with gumbo. It was all very good but definitely way more food than I wanted to eat for lunch. Ended up taking half of it back to the hotel with us.
Hubby did order the Johnny's Special and said that it was great. Daughter ordered the Grilled Cheese and was surprised to see that it was a double decker with 3 types of cheese.
It was very overwhelming and loud in there though so if you have any kind of sensory issues (or a kiddo with sensory issues) I'd suggest grabbing food to go and getting a table upstairs or somewhere outside of the restaurant.
Overall this was a great introduction to New Orleans food for us. -
Review from Holly S.
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
On my recent expedition to New Orleans, I decided to hit up Johnny's based on some trusted Yelpers that had previously reviewed the place. I have to say, based on the reviews I expected something out of this world.
Instead it was still within this realm, but slightly better than its surrounding parts. I was super hungry and opted for a full shrimp po-boy dressed (dressed = mayo, lettuce, pickles, tomato), because that's how this chick rolls. I did come in about 30 minutes before close of business on a Monday, so I was happy that they were even willing to serve me. I should have known that the quickness of my order being ready could possibly indicate the lack of fresh items I would receive.
My po-boy was HUGE and a little daunting at first, but when I realized that most of the massiveness was attributed to the bread, I wasn't so scared. Bread and I go wayyyyyy back! The bread/italian loaf was good but a little too crisp and injured my gums on a few bites. The shrimp were large, but unfortunately they tasted like the frozen variety of a sea creature that I prefer fresh....I mean this is the gulf coast right??? The other ingredients were fresh, but then those require little preparation. Luckily I only spent about $12 with a drink, because if I had spent more I would have been a little ticked.
Maybe I should try some of their other options on my next visit to NOLA, but with so many dining options I doubt I'll make it back for a long while. -
Review from Dan P.
San Diego, CA
2/22/2012
Top notch Po-Boy place...unfortunately it's crazy crowded and that makes it hard to get something quickly.
My group all ranted and raved about how amazing the gumbo was. I had a dessert upstairs and it was incredible.
When it comes to cheap eats in the Quarter, I don't know if it gets any better than Johnny's. -
Review from Janice D.
Alhambra, CA
2/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Johnny's Po Boys was one of our last stops in New Orleans. We stopped by about an hour before we left for the airport around 3pm to pick up some food for the plane ride home. We walked into a small, cramped dining area, but since we weren't eating there it wasn't really an issue. We ordered at the front counter....one surf and turf po boy, which was shrimp and roast beef, and one shrimp po boy. The line wasn't long at all, and we only had to wait about 10 minutes to get our sandwiches.
Fast forward about 2.5 later, on board the plane. We take out the surf and turf po boy, and the juices from the roast beef have soaked through the bread, making it quite difficult to eat. It was a delicious mess. I can only imagine what it was like when it was warm. The shrimp was a bit easier to eat. The breading on the shrimp was cold, but overall, both po boys were still good and hit the spot. I only wish we had more time to try some of the other po boys on the menu. -
Review from Jack K.
Birmingham, AL
4/17/2012
Filling, excellent breakfast cheap. Great Quarter location and atmosphere, if not small. The best roast beef sandwich in town and what bumps it to five-stars for me. They will make you one for breakfast. If it's open, take your food upstairs to the ice cream shop and eat on the deck.
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Review from Cindy W.
Rosemead, CA
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
For a Po-Boy joint, I expected better bread on my Po-Boy.
I made Johnny's one of my stops while in NOLA. Surprisingly, I had a really tasty shrimp po-boy at the Oak Alley Plantation restaurant, so I was looking forward to Johnny's po-boys since they specialize in po-boys. Sadly, it wasn't that good because the bread was very poorly lacking. We got a half oyster and half shrimp; while the fried shellfish was good and seemed fresh, the bread made the sandwich very forgettable. For a place that gets bread delivered every morning, I really expected better. Or at least toast it for goodness sake.
We also got the gumbo which was good but I'm giving this place just two stars cause it's Johnny's PO-BOYS, not Johnny's gumbo... and Mehhhh.... I've really had better po-boys.. As far as location goes, the restaurant is conveniently located in the French Quarter so it was a easy stroll to have lunch. Also they open early so you could go in for breakfast too.
I've definitely crossed off Johnny's from my New Orleans list of must eats. -
Review from Mallory G.
Houston, TX
12/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had done my research before going to NOLA. I put this place pretty high on my list. I made sure that I made it after the reviews. Oh was I glad that I did. I even had to fight the rain to get here with a friend under a one person umbrella. But I got there none the less.
When we got in I asked what was the best po'boy. I was told the roast beef was the best. So I got that with all the fixings. I then had no time to eat it as I had to walk over to the convention center. Then I had to go to stuff before I could eat it. But about 45 minutes later I was able to sit down and start eating my po'boy. Man was it squishy from all the meat juices but it was amazing! Make sure you grab lots of napkins.
Highly recommend for a delicious po'boy quickly.Listed in: Sandwiches, NOLA!
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Review from Pamela S.
Brooklyn, NY
4/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great Po Boys. I had the roast beef & my husband had the chicken tender po boy. Both were delish and didn't disappoint. My only problem w/ this place is that it closes at 4:30. Wish it was opened later on.
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Review from Caro d.
Was recommended Johnny's as the best Po' Boy in New Orleans by some friends so I went to try it out during my single day in the french quarter and left happy with my shrimp po' boy. The place itself is no-frills and the sandwiches are simple.
I would give them 4 stars because I loved loved loved the hot sauce and thought it was something special. But then I found packets of the same hot sauce at my work cafeteria in Miami and am thus disillusioned about my experience at Johnny's.
It's good. Solid choice. -
Review from Jason R.
3/18/2012
'Sawright. Bread's the right one. Lunch is busy, but the line moves sufficiently well. And there is seating spread all over and upstairs. The po'boy itself? Pretty good. The catfish is catfish. I should have ordered a half with a good side, but I went for the whole big slobberin' boy. It's good enough that I'll try to visit again next time I'm in the area, but not so good that I'll search it out. Unless I want to pocket more of my per diem... Their prices are quite low for the large amount. If they were open later, I'd try one for dinner and have only a snack for lunch.
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Review from Carrie F.
Silver Spring, MD
5/7/2012
I found this place wandering randomly through the French Quarter in search of breakfast. I didn't know their reputation for Po Boys. My local friends have actually never been there because they feel that the Po Boys are a little pricey, but they've heard its good. And since people around me were eating them for breakfast, they must be. I went here twice for breakfast and it was such a good deal! $6 for 2 eggs (made however you want), sausage or bacon, grits or hash browns and a biscuit or toast. Very very good diner food. The place itself is small and people had to share. But I didn't have to wait for a table either days. It's clearly been around a long time and could use a de-greasing, but maybe that's what makes the food so good??? Make sure you run upstairs for a visit to the land of candy past. :)
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Review from Justin V.
1/3/2012
One of the few low-priced yet high quality dining alternatives in the French Quarter. The place is cramped and no-frills, but the sandwiches are awesome, especially the Judge Bosetta.
If only they didn't have such limited hours! Though, thinking about it, if it catered to the late night FQ crowd, it likely wouldn't be nearly as good and its dive-ish qualities now would quickly become dump-ish. -
Review from Chris S.
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Maybe I've missed the hype,or being from New York I'm used to the lunch counter type of sandwich shop.
The sandwiches are huge,.one could be easily be split between two people. The catfish is flaky and good,nothing white special. Pork sausage,is like beakfast patties,for some reason that didn't register with me..I've had better,here in Nola. -
Review from Mariana R.
3/21/2012
We arrived here by an accident, but I am glad we made that mistake! The muffaletta was Delicious!... If you go there you must have one!.. I think it was the best I tried in new Orleans!!... The only thing I dislike was the line to order.
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Review from Heidi S.
12/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
During our recent trip to NOLA, we had this on our list for one of our many food stops!
Luckily we got there in good time, no line at all! For our crew we ordered a Muffaletta, Hamburger PoBoy, Roast Beef PoBoy and Chicken Fried Steak PoBoy!
Now first off...if you don't eat that much...order a half!! We learned the hard way! None of us could finish, we all made it half way through or less! Everyone enjoyed their sandwiches!
I like the atmosphere of this place and they have a candy bar upstairs too! -
Review from Scott H.
Be prepared for a long line, but it moves fast. It's jammed inside, so I never eat inside. Know what you want when you get to the counter- no time for the indecisive. I'm very partial to dressed oyster po-boys whenever I crave a po-boy, so the only other kind I've had is the shrimp- both are awesome, but I've heard it's all good. Get some fries and a Barq's creme soda. Johnny's is perfect for take out- get your po-boy and go sit your ass on the riverfront to watch the people and the ships go by. Oh, and throw ya remnants in a garbage can, please.
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Review from Marshall J.
Austin, TX
11/19/2011
Gumbo: fantastic. Jambalaya: not bad. Rice and Beans: skip it.
They have red creme soda as well as root beer on the fountain, and the prices are good.
