Shrimp Po’ Boy – The Famous Recipe

The very first thing that I ordered when I first visited New Orleans many years ago was a Shrimp Po’ Boy sandwich.

Now, I know that there are plenty of food choices in Louisiana, and you might be surprised that I chose a sandwich as my first meal.

However, I had just arrived in town and didn’t want to take the time to sit at a restaurant when I could be exploring the area.

Plus, I knew that I would be there for several more days to try out famous Cajun and Creole recipes.

So I stumbled into a grocery store that had a little restaurant attached to the back of the deli.

It was the kind of place where you ordered what you wanted at the counter and they yell your number when your food is ready.

I knew that the food had to be tasty. The line streaming across the main aisle of the grocery store was a good indication.

As the line quickly moved, I began to ask the locals what was the best thing to order.

Every answer was the same – definitely the Shrimp Po’ Boy.

Shrimp Po’ Boy

I had to admit that I had never had a Po’ Boy sandwich, let alone a Shrimp Po’ Boy.

But I was a huge fan of sandwiches and subs. And I was definitely a fan of breaded and fried shrimp, like Bang Bang Shrimp.

I watched as I was in line, and 9 out of 10 of the food trays being picked up had at least 1 Shrimp Po’ Boy sandwich.

I was sold. So when I arrived at the counter to order my food, I was sure to order my own.

A few minutes later, I was sitting in front of a split and toasted French roll filled with shrimp, lettuce, tomato, pickles that were all drizzled in a beautiful spicy mayonnaise sauce.

One bite and I was in heaven! The light breading of the shrimp gave just enough texture to compliment the rest of the sandwich.

Add in the crispy vegetables and the sour and salty flavor of the pickles and you have an amazing combination.

But what really set this Shrimp Po’ Boy above all the others – the remoulade sauce.

A spicy mayonnaise blend that coated each side of the bun and drizzled on top of the breaded shrimp made this sandwich a fan favorite.

And if you prefer things a little spicier, Crystal’s hot sauce sits on the table for anyone to use.

History of the Po’ Boy

Legend has it that the term Poor Boy sandwiches stemmed from streetcar workers that were on strike.

They would line up outside a local restaurant and the owners would feed them Shrimp Po’ Boy sandwiches for free in support of their cause.

Although this story is not 100% confirmed, it definitely originated in the New Orleans area and still remains popular today.

In fact, there are all sorts of po’ boy sandwiches available. Roast beef, oysters, crab, and even brisket po’ boys have spanned the southern states.

And if you happen to be visiting New Orleans in November, you might be lucky enough to attend the Oak Street Po’ Boy festival!

Not only can you try the Shrimp Po’ Boys, but they come up with new and interesting creations each year.

For our other New Orleans inspired dishes check out: Instant Pot Red Beans & Rice and Cajun Crawfish Etouffee

To receive our 3 Recipe Articles in your inbox each week, sign up for our free email list located in the middle of each recipe or email me at contact@makeyourmeals.com. You can also follow us on Facebook and Pinterest. This article may contain affiliate links where a small commission is paid if you purchase a product at no additional cost to you.