Mano's Po-Boys
6943 Saints Dr, Metairie, LA 70003, USA
Metairie 3: Houma Blvd To Kenner Line
Backstory
Mano's opened in 1992, right around the time when the New Orleans Saints moved their training facility nearby. Reports of Saints players eating here are too numerous to ignore.
Dining Room
The restaurant is located on Saints Drive at David Drive. The menu sports not one but three fleurs-de-lis. Can you guess the dominant decor theme?
Why It's Essential
Mano's is a neighborhood cafe and poor boy shop you won't know about unless you know about it. It's adjacent to Mike Miley Field and the busy nexus that is the intersection of Airline and David Drive, all of which brings in people looking for a fast, inexpensive lunch with more character than fast food. They do a heavy blue-collar business, so it's impossible to leave here hungry. Mano's opens for breakfast daily with a very basic menu.
Why It's Good
The menu follows a familiar formula. You find a long list of poor boy sandwiches, including one outstanding specialty: veal parmesan, crusty and moistened with red sauce and melted cheese. And every day brings a half-dozen or so daily specials. As in red beans on Monday... and you know the rest. The food here is, near as I can tell, cooked in house and reasonably good. Best in Metairie for this menu? No. Best in this part of Metairie? Probably.
Most Interesting Dishes
<em><strong>Poor boy sandwiches</strong></em><br /> Veal parmesan<br /> Roast beef <br /> Turkey breast <br /> Veal cutlet <br /> Smoked sausage <br /> Hot sausage <br /> Bacon, lettuce, and tomato<br /> Hot dog with chili <br /> Meatball<br /> Club <br /> Chicken salad <br /> Tuna salad <br /> Chicken tender <br /> Ham and cheese <br /> Country fried steak <br /> BBQ beef <br /> Hamburger<br /> Cheeseburger<br /> Grilled cheese<br /> French fry <br /> Shrimp <br /> Oyster <br /> Fish <br />
For Best Results
Unless you're doing heavy work, you will be able to make two meals out of any of the poor boys here, despite prices that might suggest small portions. Dishes like liver and onions and country-fried steak should be considered as elements of atmosphere rather than serious menu staples.
Bonus Ratings
1
Attitude
1
Local Color
2
Value