Fountain Square newcomer B’s Po Boy (1261 S. Shelby St., 317-916-5555) just opened for lunch, focusing on that epitome of New Orleans cuisine—the po’ boy. Housed in a small distressed-wood–sided building formerly occupied by a catering company, the eatery serves a selection of the hoagie-style sandwiches, with fillings that range from a tasty pulled roast beef to lightly battered, perfectly fried shrimp. Each po’ boy comes stacked with meat, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and mayonnaise, but the best part of these sandwiches is the crusty, airy French bread from Leidenheimer Baking Company that B’s brings in from New Orleans for that genuine, unforgettable Louisiana chew.
Abita root beer, spicy red beans-and-rice with hunks of andouille, two hopping bocce courts, and a sweet deck that overlooks the action at next-door neighbor Brass Ring Lounge all add up to a sure hit for this hip, near–South-side neighborhood.