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Po' boy

A po' boy is a Louisiana sandwich associated especially with New Orleans.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A po' boy is a Louisiana sandwich associated especially with New Orleans. It is typically served on New Orleans French bread and filled with items such as roast beef or fried seafood. The name is commonly linked to the 1929 New Orleans streetcar strike and the Martin brothers, who were said to have fed striking workers.

Origin

Most accounts place the po' boy’s origin in New Orleans, with the best-known story tying it to the 1929 streetcar strike. According to this account, the Martin brothers offered free sandwiches to striking workers, and the name derived from “poor boy.”

Ingredients and preparation

A traditional po' boy uses New Orleans French bread, valued for its crusty exterior and soft interior. Classic fillings include roast beef and fried seafood, often with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayonnaise.

Regional significance

The po' boy is strongly identified with Louisiana food culture and is common across New Orleans and the wider state. It is often described as a working-class sandwich with deep local cultural meaning.

Name and spelling

The sandwich name appears in several forms, including po' boy and po-boy. These spellings reflect the pronunciation of “poor boy” in local speech.

Key facts

  • The po' boy is a sandwich that originated in Louisiana, most closely associated with New Orleans.
  • It is traditionally made on a New Orleans French bread roll with a crisp crust and fluffy crumb.
  • Common fillings include roast beef and fried seafood such as shrimp, crawfish, fish, oysters, and crab.
  • The name is widely connected to the 1929 streetcar strike in New Orleans and the Martin brothers' sandwich stand.
  • The sandwich appears in several spellings, including po' boy, po-boy, po boy, and poor boy.

Frequently asked questions

What is a po' boy?
A po' boy is a Louisiana sandwich, usually served on New Orleans French bread and filled with meats or fried seafood.
Where did the po' boy come from?
It is generally said to have originated in New Orleans, Louisiana, with a famous origin story tied to the 1929 streetcar strike.
What fillings are traditional?
Traditional fillings include roast beef, ham, shrimp, oysters, fish, crawfish, and crab, often with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayonnaise.
Why is it called a po' boy?
The name is commonly explained as a shortened form of “poor boy,” referring to striking workers or to the way the term was spoken locally.
Is the spelling fixed?
No. Common spellings include po' boy, po-boy, po boy, and poor boy.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Po'_boy
    Supports: General description, common fillings, bread style, and spelling variants.
  2. The Times-Picayune / NOLA.com — https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/eat-drink/the-messy-history-of-the-po-boy/article_e009e97e-bbd3-566e-9cb9-154a2c80ff3e.html
    Supports: Streetcar strike origin story and Martin brothers association.
  3. Parkway Bakery & Tavern — https://parkwaypoorboys.com/new-orleans-parkway-bakery-and-tavern-history
    Supports: Local history of the sandwich, Martin brothers story, and usage of multiple spellings.
  4. BBC Travel — https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20170630-the-truth-behind-new-orleans-nebulous-sandwich
    Supports: Traditional fillings and the broader use of the term in New Orleans.