If you plan on eating at Mother’s, which you must, you’ll have to familiarize yourself with their dictionary first. (Yes, they literally provide one for you on the menu.) The scraps of roast beef that fall into the gravy while it’s baking in the oven? Well, that’s "debris" (pronounced day-bree). When they serve it on fresh French bread, you’ve got yourself a debris po-boy. Get it "dressed," and they’ll add shredded cabbage, pickles, mayo, and Creole and yellow mustard. A N’awlins institution, this is the place to go for some of the best Cajun and Southern soul food you’ll ever have, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mother’s has been serving its famous po-boys since 1938, so it has an extensive history to boot. Don’t leave without trying the bread pudding.
Full bar. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Zagat 2011: 22 food rating (very good to excellent)
The New Orleans Menu by Tom Fitzmorris: *** (worth crossing town for)
"Locals and tourists alike endure long queues and a confounding ordering system to enjoy iconic dishes such as the Ferdi poor boy and Jerry's jambalaya. Come for a late lunch to avoid the rush."
— New Orleans magazine
"The line for counter service often stretches out the door at this Downtown eatery. Creole soul-food specials include Mae's file gumbo and Jerry's jambalaya. Po-boys are dressed with shredded cabbage and Creole mustard. The Famous Ferdi Special is a po-boy filled with baked ham, roast beef debris and gravy."
— Gambit Weekly
If you plan on eating at Mother’s, which you must, you’ll have to familiarize yourself with their dictionary first. (Yes, they literally provide one for you on the menu.) The scraps of roast beef that fall into the gravy while it’s baking in the oven? Well, that’s "debris" (pronounced day-bree). When they serve it on fresh French bread, you’ve got yourself a debris po-boy. Get it "dressed," and they’ll add shredded cabbage, pickles, mayo, and Creole and yellow mustard. A N’awlins institution, this is the place to go for some of the best Cajun and Southern soul food you’ll ever have, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mother’s has been serving its famous po-boys since 1938, so it has an extensive history to boot. Don’t leave without trying the bread pudding.
Full bar. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Zagat 2011: 22 food rating (very good to excellent)
The New Orleans Menu by Tom Fitzmorris: *** (worth crossing town for)
"Locals and tourists alike endure long queues and a confounding ordering system to enjoy iconic dishes such as the Ferdi poor boy and Jerry's jambalaya. Come for a late lunch to avoid the rush."
— New Orleans magazine
"The line for counter service often stretches out the door at this Downtown eatery. Creole soul-food specials include Mae's file gumbo and Jerry's jambalaya. Po-boys are dressed with shredded cabbage and Creole mustard. The Famous Ferdi Special is a po-boy filled with baked ham, roast beef debris and gravy."
— Gambit Weekly