Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Ever Wonder Why It's Called a "Po Boy?" Wonder No More...

One of our most popular sandwiches at Shorty Pants Lounge & Marina, the Po Boy, is a traditional dish that is expected to be on the menu of the best Cajun restaurant at the Lake of the Ozarks. It seems like a strange name to refer to a sandwich by, so we decided to look into the reason someone decided to call it that in the first place. 


What is a Po Boy?
For those of you that may be unfamiliar with what a Po Boy sandwich is, here is the basic explanation. This delicacy is a traditional sandwich from Louisiana that normally consists of meat, often fried seafood. It is served on French bread and is usually garnished with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. The non-seafood versions may be served with Creole mustard in place of the mayo. 


Why the Name?
Apparently, the official origin of the name "Po Boy" is unknown, but there is a popular local theory. In 1929, during a four-month-long strike against a streetcar company, men on the picket line were given free sandwiches from a local New Orleans restaurant. 

The restaurant owners, Benny and Clovis Martin, were former conductors for the streetcar company and wanted to support their former colleagues. Workers at the restaurant jokingly referred to the strikers as "poor boys," and after a while, everyone began referring to the sandwiches themselves by that name. Of course, with a Louisiana accent, the word "poor" came out as "po."   

Historians find that theory suspicious. First of all, the story didn't come out until 40 years after the fact, plus prior to 1969, the Martin brothers had told people they created the po-boy for farmers, dock workers, and other "poor boys" who often ate at their original location near the French Market. Whether or not the local theory is true, it is a good story.    


Po Boys at Shorty Pants
Our waterfront restaurant at the Lake of the Ozarks proudly offers 4 different Po Boy Sandwiches on our Creole-inspired menu. Each one comes with your choice of a side dish. 

Catfish Po Boy
Southern-fried catfish with our homemade Cajun mayo, lettuce, and tomato. It also tastes great blackened!

Oyster Po Boy
Big Gulf oysters deep-fried golden brown on French bread with lettuce, tomato, and homemade Cajun mayo. 

Shrimp Po Boy
Hand-breaded Gulf shrimp, lettuce, tomato, and our house-made Cajun mayo.

Andouille Sausage Po Boy
Smoked Cajun sausage and our homemade remoulade sauce served with shredded lettuce and tomato. 


The Po Boy Sandwich is just one of the many delicious Cajun creations that we serve here at Shorty Pants Lounge & Marina. We use rubs and spices direct from Louisiana in our cooking to create authentic Creole cuisine that will make you think you're in the middle of the French Quarter instead of the middle of Missouri! The next time that you are in the lake area and it's close to mealtime, swing on by and give our Lake of the Ozarks Cajun restaurant a try. Your taste buds will thank you!     



The Lake's #1 Creole Cuisine Restaurant, where you can expect a luxury, laid-back experience at Lake of the Ozarks!!

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