Domilise's Sandwich Shop and Bar

Nestled in the Uptown neighborhood of New Orleans, riverside of Magazine St., Domilise's Sandwich Shop and Bar has been proclaimed by many to be the best place in town to enjoy a New Orleans institution, the po'boy. After driving by one afternoon for lunch and witnessing a line out the door and around the corner (that's how popular this hole in the wall is), we decided that if we wanted to eat here without a wait (not good with a toddler), we would have to get there early. About a week later, we went at the opening, 11am for an early lunch. While there was not a wait when we got there, the line was out the door by the time we left. This is typical, and is no wonder considering how great the food. The menu is short and to the point; several seafood po'boys and several classic sandwich options, in po'boy form and that's it. Bags of Zapps chips are the only side option and Cokes and Barq's served in old-timey bottles epitomize this throwback restaurant, that probably is the same now as it was 50 years ago. My husband enjoyed the roast beef po'boy, one of their well-known specialties. The sandwich had a tasty gravy but unlike other local restaurants, it was not so smothered that it needed to be eaten with a fork. I had a ham and cheese po'boy that was delicious. The quality of the ingredients is evident and makes the sandwiches top notch for sure. Our original plan was for our daughter to share our food but the owner, a very nice elderly woman taking orders and fixing the sandwiches herself, insisted upon making a bread and cheese plate for our daughter. This is the perfect example of how nice both the owners, husband and wife, are. The husband behind the bar serving drinks and wife and daughter behind the counter making great sandwiches sums up this family run and neighborhood gem of a restaurant. It is not only for the great sandwiches but for these personalities that locals keep coming back to Domilise's despite the long wait. The atmosphere at this restaurant reflects its owners, old and worn by years of loving patrons. While the sandwiches are on the pricey side, their quality justifies spending a little more than you might at another sandwich shop, and be sure to bring case as they do not accept credit cards. Domilise's is somewhat kid friendly; as mentioned above, the owners are extremely nice and warm to children and there is one high-chair, but the restaurant definitely has more of a bar feel and there is no designated kid's menu. If you are looking to experience a New Orleans tradition and are looking for that great po'boy, then don't miss this diamond in the rough. I give Domilise's Sandwich Shop and Bar 3 and a half stars.