Sammy's Po-Boys
901 Veterans Blvd, Metairie, LA 70005, USA
Metairie 2: Orleans Line To Houma Blvd
Backstory
Sammy's opened in 1996 in a former grocery store in a location obscure to anyone except neighbors. The present owners--whose grandparents opened the legendary R&O's in Bucktown--took over ten years later, and in 2010 moved to the present, more obvious location.
Dining Room
Here's one of the only restaurants I've seen where the kitchen appears to be bigger than the dining room. (They do a lot of take-out business.) High and low tables are set barely enough apart so you can get through. The counter suggests that this is an order-and-pick-up place, but in fact they have full and friendly service at the tables. A video poker machine hidden behind the usual saloon doors adds its unsavory note. The thumping you hear overhead comes from a dance studio.
Why It's Essential
A tiny cafe in an old strip mall, Sammy's will not likely draw you with its looks. Chances are you have come for the first time because a friend told you he (probably a he) said it was good. In fact, it is--very good, in fact. All the cooking is done in house, including the manufacture of meatballs and the like. The fried seafood is fried to order, and comes out crisp and dangerously hot. Everything is laid down generously. Cold cuts won't top those of the best delis, but that is Chisesi ham (the local standard) and Genoa salami.
Why It's Good
The roast beef is a such a superb poor boy that it's hard to pull away from it unless you eat here often. But the fries seafood is unusually excellent. A recent oyster poor boy enclosed only nine oysters--not because they were being chinchy, but because the oysters were of such large size that nine was all that would fit. The red sauce on the Italianate sandwiches is more than respectable.
Most Interesting Dishes
<em><strong>Starters</strong></em><br /> »Fried pickles<br /> Onion rings<br /> »Stuffed artichoke<br /> Cheese fries<br /> »Fried artichoke balls<br /> Seafood gumbo<br /> »Chicken and andouille gumbo<br /> Garden salad<br /> »Caesar salad<br /> Chef salad<br /> »Greek salad<br /> Chicken or tuna salad<br /> <em><strong>Wrap Sandwiches</strong></em><br /> Chicken club wrap sandwich<br /> Classic club wrap<br /> Wrappaletta (cold muffuletta in a wrap)<br /> Chicken or tuna salad wrap<br /> Grilled or fried shrimp wrap<br /> Greek feta salad wrap<br /> Meatball, mozzarella & red gravy wrap<br /> <em><strong>Poor Boy Sandwiches</strong></em><br /> »Hot roast beef<br /> »Veal or chicken parmesan, mozzarella<br /> »Meatballs, red gravy mozzarella<br /> Panneed veal<br /> Grilled or fried boneless chicken breast<br /> Chicken cordon bleu (ham, Swiss cheese, honey mustard)<br /> Smoked sausage<br /> »Hot sausage<br /> »Hamburgers<br /> »Grilled ham and cheese<br /> Fried or grilled shrimp<br /> Fried catfish<br /> »Fried oyster<br /> Soft-shell crab<br /> Two-way seafood combo<br /> Turkey breast<br /> Tuna salad<br /> Chicken salad<br /> Genoa salami<br /> BLT<br /> »Flickaletta (muffuletta on French bread)<br /> Club on toast or French bread<br /> »Ashell's special (roast beef, ham & Swiss)<br /> <em><strong>Entrees</strong></em><br /> »Grilled or panneed pork chop platter<br /> Grilled shrimp platter<br /> Grilled chicken breast platter<br /> Grilled fish platter<br /> »Panneed veal cutlets<br /> Fried chicken finger platter<br /> Veal or chicken parmesan<br /> Meatballs and spaghetti<br /> »Fried shrimp, catfish, oyster or combo platter<br /> »Soft-shell crab platter<br />
Deficiencies
Video poker: is it really necessary?
For Best Results
Strangely, the small poor boy is a better deal than the big one. This is a good place to come with three others, which allows the ordering of a variety of sandwiches.
Bonus Ratings
2
Attitude
1
Service
2
Value