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Feb 8, 2010 9:27:53 PM

New Orleans: po-boy champions

Now that the lovable losers - the New Orleans Saints — finally brought home a ‘world championship’ to the Big Easy with a stirring Super Bowl victory on Sunday night, it’s time to turn to the city’s own championship series: who does the best po-boy.

LP author Adam Skolnick searched out the city for it in our Carolina, Georgia & the South Trips guide; here are a handful of the nominees for best:

Johnny’s Po’boys

Checkered tablecloths and headshots decorate the walls of this French Quarter institution since 1950.The shrimp, catfish and fresh deli meats absolutely snap with garlicky spice - each bite morphing into the next. (511 St Louis St, French Quarter)

Acme Oyster House

It’s a small, local chain focused on oysters, but its ‘Peacemaker’ - seasoned and fried oysters and shrimp with Tabasco and infused mayo - is a mean po’boy that breaks from the fresh oyster items. (724 Iberville St, French Quarter)

13 Monaghan

In the Fauborg Marigny District, a short walk from the French Quarter, 13 Monaghan is a casual bar hidden in the thrum, best known among locals for its late-night eats served by a grumpy bartender. But it’s a po’boy goldmine, particularly its stunning pulled pork po’boy with tater tots. (517 Frenchman St)

Ye Olde College Inn

Run by an ex-LSU baseball player turned po’boy maestro, Ye Olde won the city’s 2008 Po’Boy Preservation Festival for its shrimp remoulade version - its spiced cold shrimp salad providing a nice departure from fried fish or meat. Ye Olde also hosts the ‘Rock’n'Bowl’ - probably the world’s best mix of live music and bowling. (3000 S Carrollton Ave, Mid City)

Crabby Jacks

Hands down the best po’boy haunt we found, Crabby Jacks is in an industrial corner of New Orleans and the spot to pick up a to-go po’boy (particularly its slow-cooked duck smothered in gravy) and take to eat on a bench at the nearby banks of the Mississippi River. (tel 504-833-2722; 428 Jefferson Hwy)

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For more New Orleans adventures and highlights, the new Encounter guide to New Orleans. And to see our expanded list of New Orleans’ best po’boys — or itinerary suggestions across the Deep South — get our Trips guide to Georgia, the Carolinas & the South download the PDF of Louisiana trips.

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