Editor’s note: This post is from the ‘before-times.’ Orange Store is now a head shop that sells giant bluetooth speakers and dabbles in nearly-inedible po boys.

I was trying to save this report for much later in my 500 po boys series.

With apologies to the Terranova Brothers Superette muffaletta, the Orange Store fried catfish has been my single favorite sandwich in New Orleans for over 20 years.

On a recent Friday I was starving and a friend who is an old school po boy expert, weaned on fried catfish and tartar sauce, was visiting from out of town so I wavered.

It was time to impress.

This much-vaunted quick mart saw a change in ownership two years ago but thankfully the merchants who took it over saw little need to mess with the formula of dirt cheap sandwiches served with zero fanfare.

The new owners may have gotten a little more vigorous with the mop bucket and the addition of picnic tables outside is bordering on masterstroke level restauranting but the old curb store is nearly the exact same as she’s always been.

A little tattered, a little rough around the edges.

While many local eaters swear by the shrimp po boy it’s the catfish that’s the real star here. Two big planks of fish have been fried hard in clear oil before being slipped into a crusty hot French loaf loaded with Blue Plate mayonnaise, tomatoes, pickles and lettuce. If you’re of a mind you can buy a bag of Zapp’s potato chips to round out the meal.

The glorious clutter of old dive bars and soul food restaurants that historically lined Rampart Street has changed mightily in recent decades. Donna’s is long-gone; N’awlins Flava is shuttered, and Mama Rosa’s Slice of Italy has been confined to late night gossip and remembrance.

King Bolden’s is an upmarket cocktail bar.

Change has come to this little stretch of New Orleans but thankfully the Orange Store still soldiers on as a time capsule po boy joint – nicely rough-hewn and with little prospect of future change.

The Orange Store
1700 N Rampart St
New Orleans, Louisiana
70116

504-944-7777

Hours of operation
always call ahead