Inside the New Orleans Po Boy Shop, Now Open

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After ramping up yesterday with a beignet giveaway, the New Orleans Po Boy Shop has opened its doors as expected in the Dupont Circle area. This latest in DC-area Big Easy fare comes as a joint project between manager Justin Snyder and chef Cam McNair, who grew up in New Orleans and worked at the likes of Jonathan's and Commander's Palace.

Though obviously po boy sandwiches are key to the menu — topped with the likes of roast beef, fried oysters, catfish, andouille sausage and, sure, a vegetarian option — they've also got beignets and quiche for breakfast and a list of salads, gumbo, crawfish etouffee and more. Specials today include the turtle soup and a pork belly BLT on the restaurant's "Because We Can" board, which allows the po boy shop to experiment with some more formal dishes.

As for design details, McNair tells Eater that they were going for an inviting look that was reminiscent of the French Quarter. So he built a cinderblock wall that he softened up with wood, and a patio out front is meant to channel a New Orleans courtyard.

The New Orleans Po Boy Shop opened at 7 a.m. today and apparently yesterday's beignet giveaway inspired a number of return customers — as McNair says, "beignets are like crack."

· New Orleans Po Boy Shop [Official Site]
· All Previous New Orleans Po Boy Shop Coverage [-EDC-]