Saturday, August 22, 2026
The last time Keith and I were in NOLA, I had a roast beef po’boy at Pierre Masparo’s that was incredible. I liked it so much that we had to go back the next day so I could have it again. They just removed it from their menu because it was so labor/time intensive to make. We read lots of menus looking for a solid replacement and finally landed on the Parkway Bakery and Restaurant. It is supposed to have the best best best roast beef po’boy. It was out of our walking range (not really, but given the “feels like 107” on my weather app, I deemed it too far), so we took the streetcar.
There has been a LOT of singing the Ding Ding Ding Went the Trolley song (Alexander pointed out that our repertoire for this trip is pretty odd. We sing the Trolley song, the butter song, and the Bile Them Cabbage Down song almost exclusively and that just isn’t quite right), so it was good we finally took a ride. Benjamin would like to redo the audio so Judy Garland sings, “brghghccccrrrrrrcnnnckghhhgh went the bell”, just to be more authentic.
We read the line can be an hour long at the Parkway on Saturday afternoon. We were lucky and only waited about 20 minutes, then scored an inside table! Most of the seating was covered, but outside.
Alexander went for a BBQ shrimp po’boy and he was not disappointed. The garlicky sauce on it was delicious. He was first to finish.
Keith and Benjamin both had the James Brown – fried shrimp on roast beef. They were both pleased with their choice. The shrimp had a flavor and texture bonus.
I was straight up disappointed by my roast beef. It was a fine, fine sandwich, but it tasted like a shredded beef roast sandwich – which it was. Somehow, and I have absolutely no idea how or why or what – the ones I had before were so much more/better. The men are hoping that Pierre Masparo brings it back, but I am satisfied with the grand (yet fuzzy) memory.
We trolleyed back.
I enjoy this view of boys together. It’s a good thing, because it is often how we roll down the street.
A quick stop in Empanola scored us two cheesecake desserts. I did not get the chips.
I choose to have Copelands deliver us dinner. It is an Uber ride away and much cheaper to get takeout. I don’t like all the takeout containers, but I did it anyway. I had steak labouchere (which I swore I took a picture of, but apparently didn’t), Keith and Alexander had blackened bayou chicken, and Benjamin had catfish and crawfish etoufee. We shared a piece of Big Al’s chocolate cake. Mmmm.
We played cards after dinner. Alexander does not pick up piles. He is very lucky that way.
