TulaneLSU's Top 10 shrimp poorboys

Dear Friends,

Uncle is not doing well. He landed in the hospital on Friday with a case of pneumonia, and Mother has been attending to him. We all appreciate your prayers. As a result of this illness, our plans were upended and I was left at home alone. This afternoon, as part of a very long prayer walk, I came across several second line parades in Mid-City and Treme. One of them was the Money Wasters Club who I first ran into on Claiborne. With a profligate name like Money Wasters, it was no wonder they were dancing in the streets and drinking all sorts of different alcohols. I avoided them as much as I was able to, for fear one of the spectators might spill that drink on me.



After navigating Claiborne, I headed back south, and passed some friends at the Zulu headquarters on Broad. They were having a little block party. Several members hosted a large prayer circle for Uncle, which was deeply moving. All of that walking and praying made me hungry, so I stopped at one of my favorite poorboy shops. As I ate my shrimp poorboy, I thought to myself, "This is the best shrimp poorboy I have ever had. Why have I never done a Top 10 shrimp poorboys list with my friends on the Food Board?"

TulaneLSU's Top 10 shrimp poorboys
:

10. Chateau Super Market
A large shrimp is still 9.99. When considering how I would work Chateau into my Poorboy Tours rota, I always struggle including Chateau. I know I should, so one of my ideas is to do a Kenner poorboy tour, including Smitty's, Kenner Seafood, Harbor, Williams Seafood, and Chateau. Chateau is a gem, producing the best shrimp poorboy in any gas station. Danny & Clyde's once held that title, but their quality has really slipped while Chateau has steadily risen.

9. Parenton's
My good friend, glassman, put me on to this lunch only hole in the wall in the middle of Old Jefferson/Metairie. On the rare occasion we are in this area, I always get a 15" shrimp from Parenton's because 12" just is not enough.

8. Guy's
Traditionally, when our family would eat poorboys, we would go to Guy's. I normally get Guy's roast beef, but I have never been dissatisfied with Guy's fried shrimp. It is the best shrimp poorboy, besting nearby Domilise's and Mahony's.

7. World Deli
Arguably the most forgotten poorboy shop in town. There is practically no parking in its lot and those bright mirrors are most uninviting. But the shrimp, though expensive, are incredible.

6. Drago's
Better known for its oysters, Drago's shrimp is as good as anywhere and they will make shrimp poorboys off menu for you. I do not know if I would recommend a shrimp poorboy if you are eating at Drago's. However, if you are looking for the best shrimp poorboy in Fat City, which I believe is now included within the TD definition of Old Metairie, Drago's has the best. It is better than The Galley and R&O's.

5. Red Wagon
Harahan residents have been largely been silent with us about Red Wagon. I think they do not want the secret getting out that Red Wagon is a legit poorboy purveyor. As good as anyone's and at a significant discount.

4. Zimmer's
Gentilly's best poorboys. Mother and I will sometimes grab shrimp poorboys here after getting a few loaves from neighboring Gendusa's Bakery. Then we sit on the bank of Bayou St. John. She often brings her paints and does paintings while I write. The beauty of the land and water, and not to mention the delicious fried shrimp, give us inspiration.

3. Johnny's Poorboys
The best poorboys in the Quarters. Johnny's, I believe, butters its bread, which gives it a pleasant sweetness.

2. Castnet Seafood
The best overall restaurant in New Orleans East, it is hard to argue that there is a better shrimp poorboy in the East. Sometimes you will also find a guy next door who hitches an outdoor grill to his truck and grills oysters.

1. Parkway Bakery



It may be predictable, but Parkway has the best shrimp poorboy. They use Louisiana or Mississippi shrimp and are the perfect size, probably averaging 20-25/lb sized shrimp, are as they say in the markets, 20-25 count. I am not opposed to smaller shrimp, but I prefer my shrimp to be no larger than 20 count. Parkway also puts the precise perfect amount on the poorboy: enough to overflow, but not to the point that shrimp are constantly falling out while you try to eat it, as at Crabby Jack's, which you will note did not make the list.







I also noticed today that along the north side of the buildings, an artist is nearly completing a beautiful six panel series of scenes from Parkway. The artist has really captured the spirit and colors of Parkway. I cannot wait to see the finished product.













Yours,
TulaneLSU