Hot N Juicy Crawfish has five po' boy sandwiches, including the signature crawfish.

Po'boys Are Hot — Here's Where to Find Them

The savory Louisiana treat is alive and well in D.C.

by Tierney Plumb and Tim Ebner Updated Jul 30, 2018, 3:50pm EDT

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Hot N Juicy Crawfish has five po' boy sandwiches, including the signature crawfish.

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by Tierney Plumb and Tim Ebner Updated Jul 30, 2018, 3:50pm EDT

1 comment / new

Restaurants are bringing a taste of the Big Easy to D.C. via the classic po'boy sandwich.

In true New Orleans fashion, the po'boy comes served on a French loaf. Many versions around town are, in fact, by the book: "dressed" with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayonnaise and stuffed with fried seafood like meat, shrimp, and oysters. Other popular fillings include soft shell crab, crawfish, and catfish. Check out the options for po'boy sandwiches below.

—Additional reporting by Missy Frederick

Republic

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The signature Republic po’boy sandwich can come stocked with crispy bay oysters, Gulf shrimp, or blackened Virginia catfish, with lettuce, pickles, tartar sauce, and lemon.

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6939 Laurel Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912

301.270.3000

Red Derby

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The $10 Rick’s Shrimp Po’Boy & Fries is fried shrimp, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and remoulade--and half price on seafood Sundays.

3718 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

(202) 291-5000

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Hot N Juicy Crawfish

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This Vegas-born crawfish chain serves up five animals in its “two handed po'boy,” including chicken tenders, soft shell crab, catfish, shrimp, and of course, crawfish.

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2651 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

(202) 299-9448

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Ivy City Smokehouse

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This seafood market and tavern knows a thing or two about po’boys. Try the fried shrimp po'boy ($17) with cheddar, shredded lettuce, pickles, tomato, cabbage, and Russian dressing.

1356 Okie St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

202-529-3300

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Pearl Dive Oyster Palace

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The C.E.B.L.T. Po' Boy is a long acronym for toppings like Catfish, Farm Egg, Benton’s Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato piled high and served with fries for $17.

1612 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009-4307

(202) 319-1612

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Puddin'

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Why a Wild Blue Catfish po’boy? Simple—the catfish is eating up seafood in the region, so why not make po’boys out of them? Other local fried seafood like Rappahannock Oyster and shrimp also come on a sub roll dressed with remoulade, a spicy Cajun mayonnaise, and its tangy sweet vinegar slaw. Order one “naked” without the bread and in a bowl or make any po’boy “a homeboy” and it’ll come with a half smoke.

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1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

(202) 725-1030

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13 Soupy Gumbos to Devour Around D.C.

Rappahannock Oyster Bar

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Another delicious option for a po’boy sandwich inside Union Market is at Rappahannock Oyster Bar. The Virginia fried oyster po’boy sandwich is a mainstay on the lunch menu.

1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

(202) 544-4702

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Acadiana

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This longtime favorite celebrates the bounty of Louisiana with seven po'boys on its lunch menu ($12-$19). Fillings range from marinated roasted pork to cured Italian meats to catfish filet.

901 New York Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

(202) 408-8848

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Po’Boy Jim

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With "po’boy" in its name, expect lots of options at this H street haunt. Split into traditional, specialty, and international sections, the $10-and-up sandwiches are served with fries and dressed with lettuce, tomato, and dill pickles.

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709 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

(202) 621-7071

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Sweet Home Cafe

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One of the best lunch spots on the National Mall is inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Sweet Home Cafe serves up a delicious po’boy sandwich with fried catfish. Just be sure to save room for a slice of sweet potato pie afterwards for dessert.

1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560

(202) 633-4751

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Whaley's

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The Whaley’s brunch menu serves a perfectly fried oyster po’boy that comes with some slight kick thanks to cucumber kimchi and shishito peppers,

301 Water St SE ste 115, Washington, DC 20003

(202) 484-8800

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RT's Restaurant

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This Creole and Cajun restaurant in Alexandria serves one version of the sandwich from the land (grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms and cheese) and two from the sea (the fried catfish or shrimp, with garlic mayo and Cajun remoulade).