Poppa's Seafood & Deli

Poppa's Seafood & Deli at 3311 N Galvez St, New Orleans, LA 70117, is where locals and travelers alike line up for bold flavors, honest portions, and that unmistakable New Orleans charm served on every plate.

Where locals eat real seafood in New Orleans

There’s a reason people search for Poppa's Seafood & Deli when craving authentic Southern seafood in New Orleans. Tucked into the quiet corner of the Upper 9th Ward, this no-frills spot delivers comfort food that hits like home. The place doesn’t scream fancy—it doesn’t need to. What it does offer is a mix of deep-fried, well-seasoned, and mouthwateringly fresh dishes that feel like grandma’s Sunday spread.

You won’t find trendy lighting or Instagrammable neon signs here. What you will find are perfectly seasoned shrimp po’boys, catfish platters fried just right, and gumbo that makes your spoon hesitate because every bite deserves attention. And don’t sleep on the daily specials—locals swear by them, especially on Fridays when the seafood plates come piled high.

This is where the city’s rhythm slows down. Folks sit out front, greet one another by name, and trade stories between bites. One regular, a nearby mechanic, told me he’s been grabbing lunch here four days a week for the past seven years. “You just don’t get fish like this anywhere else,” he said, eyes not leaving his plate.

Flavor-packed menu that doesn’t hold back

The menu at Poppa’s isn’t sprawling, but it’s packed with flavor-heavy staples that speak to New Orleans’ rich food culture. Start with a shrimp po’boy, overflowing with golden-fried Gulf shrimp tucked into pillowy French bread, doused in hot sauce and dressed with crisp lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Want something heartier? The seafood platter comes stacked with fried catfish, oysters, shrimp, fries, and buttery toast that soaks up every bit of flavor.

There’s red beans and rice slow-cooked until they taste like someone’s been watching the pot since sunrise, and gumbo so rich, the roux could pass for velvet. One standout is their crawfish pasta, creamy and spicy in all the right ways. Whether you dine in or take it to-go, every bite feels personal—like it was made for you, not just ordered.

Poppa’s menu rotates often, depending on the season and the catch, which keeps things interesting. You’ll always find something new to try, but the classics are always there for a reason—they work.

Inside the kitchen: where tradition meets trust

Walking into Poppa’s tiny kitchen is like stepping into a family secret. Recipes here aren’t measured—they’re passed down. Every dish speaks to decades of lived experience, and the results show in the food. The kitchen isn’t staffed by culinary school grads—it’s run by cooks who’ve been in New Orleans kitchens since they were kids.

One of the cooks, Miss Tasha, said it best: “We cook how we eat at home. If it wouldn’t feed my own kids, it wouldn’t leave this kitchen.” That mindset shows up in every plate they serve. It’s food built on trust—no gimmicks, no shortcuts.

It’s not just the cooking, either. The team sources from local seafood vendors and keeps it fresh—no frozen shortcuts here. When the shrimp boil hits the fryer, you smell the seasoning down the block. They even prep their own sauces—garlic butter, peppery remoulade, spicy mayo—each one matching the richness of the meal.

Real reviews, real people, real love

You don’t need a critic’s take to know Poppa’s is the real deal. The proof’s on every review board. From Google to Yelp, the words people use are loud and clear: "Best po’boy in the city", "Worth the detour", "This is what New Orleans tastes like." There’s something reassuring when you read dozens of reviews that all echo the same idea—this place delivers.

Even in a city packed with world-famous restaurants, Poppa’s holds its ground. Folks drive across town just for lunch here. Tourists find it by accident and come back the next day. And neighbors? They treat it like an extension of home. They know the crew by name, and they know what’s good on any given day—because they’ve tried it all.

You won’t find pretentious plating or curated playlists at Poppa’s. What you will find is honest food, cooked with pride, and served in a place where every face is welcome. From the flavor-stuffed menu to the soul in every plate, Poppa’s Seafood & Deli makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into something special—something truly New Orleans.