Louisiana History – The Po’Boy And How It Became An American Classic

Did you know that Louisiana is home to the famous Po'Boy or that there is such a thing as an annual Po'Boy Festival? It stands to reason, being that the state has a festival nearly every day, week, or weekend about something. But among the many things the Pelican State can lay claim to, the iconic sandwich is one of them.

How The Po'boy Got Its Name And Became An American Classic

The po' boy originated in the late 1920s during a streetcar strike. The term "po' boy" literally comes from the name "poor boy," representing the working-class individuals that whom the sandwich was made.

The po'boy's origins trace back to the 1929 streetcar strike, when Bennie and Clovis Martin, former conductors turned restaurant owners, handed out free sandwiches to the “poor boys” on strike. In the 1910s, the brothers left their hometown of Raceland, Louisiana, and moved to New Orleans to work as streetcar conductors. By 1922, they had shifted gears and opened Martin Brothers’ Coffee Stand and Restaurant, serving French loaf sandwiches filled with a variety of ingredients.

The name "po'boy" didn’t emerge until 1929, during a massive four-month strike by the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees of America, Division No. 194. With over a thousand union streetcar workers left without pay, the Martin brothers decided to support them by offering free meals. In a letter to a local newspaper, they pledged to feed any union member in need.

As the story goes, whenever a striking worker entered the restaurant, one of the brothers would call out, “Here comes another poor boy!” The phrase stuck, and over time, the famous sandwich itself became known as the “po’boy,” a name that remains iconic in Louisiana cuisine today. That hearty, overstuffed sandwich on crispy French bread? It became a New Orleans staple, and the rest is history!

How The Po'Boy Got Its Own Festival

It doesn't take much convincing for New Orleanians to throw a party. So it was only a matter of time before this iconic sandwich got its festival. Launched to honor the city’s rich culinary heritage, the poboy Festival has become an annual tradition where locals and visitors alike come together to indulge in the best poboys from top vendors, and white linen restaurants to eat, enjoy live music, shop local arts and crafts, and soak up that one-of-a-kind New Orleans festival vibe.

Get our free mobile app

The Oak Street PoBoy Festival takes place in the Fall on the iconic Oak Street in New Orleans. The festival is where you will get an opportunity to try the famous sandwich crafted by the finest cooks in the state, both professional and amateur chefs, local and statewide businesses converging on Oak Street, showing off their cooking skills and creativity.

You will find the most unique po'boys you've ever seen or tasted. Ready for a mouthwatering celebration of Louisiana’s most beloved sandwich at the Oak Street PoBoy Festival, along the iconic Oak Street in New Orleans!

By the way, proceeds from the Po' boy Festival benefit the Son of a Saint charity, which provides mentorship, education, recreation, and emotional support to boys growing up without a father.po'boy.