Eating a sandwich in New Orleans is never a casual affair.
I mean, yes, you're probably wearing shorts because, let's face it, it's ninety-five degrees outside. But it's something we locals take very seriously. And it's best to come prepared.
1. What's in a name?
Po-Boy is the correct term for a sandwich housing most any kind of meat, cheese or seafood served on french bread. There are stories about these sandwiches being served to unemployed "poor boys" in the early twentieth century and how this new, forty-inch long loaf of bread was baked to serve more sandwiches with less baking than the traditional baguette loaf could. Whatever, they're good.
2. Sizing it up.
You may be asked whether you want a "half" or a "whole." Just imagine a sub, grinder, hoagie, or hero sandwich but on airy French bread with a crumbling crust, fresher ingredients, less grease and more mess. Half is somewhere between six and eight inches long and a whole is about ten to twelve inches. Perfect for sharing. Or not.
3. Insider information.
You'll see a myriad of choices for the contents of your po-boy (to be clear, it's not a "po-boy sandwich." It's just a "poboy."). It's easy to enjoy traditional combinations like Ham & Cheese or Turkey. But you'll be doing yourself a disservice if you don't jump into the deep-end right away and order a Hot Roast Beef po-boy. Look for the word "Debris" which means you'll be getting the shredded goodness that falls off the roast beef and soaks in the juices.
Pro Tip: Plan to finish your sandwich before you leave and grab extra napkins because it's a true mess and it doesn't travel well.
4. "Half and Half" may have nothing to do with size.
If seafood is your thing (or if you'll eat anything fried) then make your po-boy "half and half." That's half fried shrimp and half fried oysters. If you're sharing, order a "whole half-and-half mixed" to be sure that your po-boy construction artist (patent applied for) knows that you want plenty of both shrimp and oysters on both sides of the sandwich.
5. Do it "dressed."
If you have kids, let them order their own sandwich and encourage them to order it "dressed." It sounds silly and a little naughty, but it just means: mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and pickles. Use the ketchup and mustard bottles on your table to add those, if you must. Or better, reach around those and grab the Creole Mustard and Tabasco Sauce like the locals do.