Killer Poboys

Killer Poboys is a po'boy counter at 811 Conti Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, operating from a walk-up window at the back of the Erin Rose bar. It takes the city's classic sandwich in a creative direction, pairing New Orleans French bread with inventive fillings and seasonal vegetables, and it has built a following among visitors and locals who want a compact, imaginative meal in the middle of the Quarter. The tiny footprint and bar setting give it a distinctive, hidden-away character.

The signature sandwich is the Dark and Stormy, which combines pork belly with a glaze inspired by the rum-and-ginger cocktail of the same name, and it has become emblematic of the shop. Other popular choices include a seasonal vegetable po'boy, a shrimp po'boy and a sweet potato po'boy, which makes the menu friendly to vegetarians. Fillings change with the season and the kitchen's experiments, and sandwiches are filling despite their modest size. Sides are minimal, and the focus remains on the sandwiches.

There is little dining room to speak of. Guests order at the window and eat at the Erin Rose bar, which is a dim, casual French Quarter drinking spot, or take the sandwiches to go. The mood is relaxed and a bit gritty, with a bar crowd and loud conversation at busy times, and there is no dress code. Drinks come from the Erin Rose bar, which serves beer and cocktails, and the bar is known for its frozen Irish coffee. Prices are low, at about US$10-18 per person, which suits a quick lunch or late-night bite.

Killer Poboys does not take reservations, and ordering is done at the walk-up window. Hours are typically afternoon to late night, so visitors should confirm current times on the website. Lines can form on weekend evenings and at lunch, and ordering ahead or arriving off-peak shortens the wait. The shop is a short walk from Bourbon Street and Jackson Square.