Parenton's Po-Boys
Backstory
I lived two blocks away from Parenton's in the 1960s, at which time it already qualified as an old, worn neighborhood joint. Back then, it was an antique grocery with a small deli that made sandwiches. For prepared food, it took a distant third to Alonso's (half a block away) and the Club 90 (two blocks). Both of those are extinct, and so was Parenton's for many years. But it returned after Katrina as a restaurant only.
Dining Room
The dining area is much bigger than in the old days, and thoroughly remodeled if still modest). It's always busy during its extended lunch hours, with what looks like a majority of people waiting for take-outs. Even though you order and the counter and pick up, it seems it's all the small staff can do to barely keep up.
Why It's Essential
Those who get as much a charge out of finding little-known restaurants in inconspicuous locations, selling decent food in enormous portions at very low prices will love Parenton's. It and its successors have served poor boy sandwiches in near-total obscurity for decades. That makes it a prime spot on the dining maps of their regulars.
Why It's Good
It's a reasonably good source of sandwiches and a few platters, all prepared on the premises and served amply. On the other hand, if your starting point is other than Old Jefferson or Harahan, you're likely to find better places between here and there. The roast beef tops the popularity chart here, but they slice it funny (with the grain in both samples I had). The grilled ham and cheese is better. Here is one of the rare shops that still has luncheon meat, liver cheese, and the like on the menu.
Most Interesting Dishes
<em><strong>Salads And Sides</strong></em><br /> Caesar salad<br /> Tuna and chicken salads<br /> Chef salad<br /> Grilled shrimp or chicken salad<br /> Onion rings<br /> French fries<br /> <em><strong>Poor Boy Sandwiches</strong></em><br /> Roast beef <br /> Barbecue beef<br /> »Ham<br /> Turkey<br /> Smoked sausage<br /> »Italian sausage<br /> Hot sausage<br /> Hamburger<br /> »Meatball<br /> Grilled chicken<br /> Fried chicken<br /> Chicken or tuna salad<br /> Luncheon meat<br /> Liver cheese<br /> Salami<br /> »Fried catfish, oyster, or shrimp<br /> BLT<br /> »Muffuletta<br /> »Gramps's Italian sandwich (sausage, peppers, onions, mozzarella)<br /> <em><strong>Desserts</strong></em><br /> Bread pudding
Deficiencies
Toasting the bread would increase the enjoyment by a third.
For Best Results
Avoid the noon hour, when the place often jams and the kitchen gets sloppy. A large poor boy can feed three. The muffuletta is served cool--the way it ought to be.
Bonus Ratings
1
Hipness
1
Local Color
1
Value