Parasol’s Serves Garden District Po’boys With Barroom Character

A roast beef po’boy at Parasol’s is not built for tidy eating. It arrives generously filled, richly dressed and ready to test the usefulness of a stack of napkins. That gloriously messy sandwich is the centerpiece at this Garden District standby, where a relaxed bar downstairs connects with a more traditional dining space beyond it and upstairs.

Parasol’s has the comfortable, unfussy character of a neighborhood bar, but the food is far more than an afterthought. A drink at the bar can turn into a full lunch or an easygoing evening meal, with po’boys, fried sides and other New Orleans favorites providing plenty of reasons to stay awhile.

Roast beef is a natural starting point, especially for diners who want the classic, gravy-soaked approach. The sandwich is substantial and flavorful, with the sort of dressed bread-and-meat construction that makes eating slowly a sensible strategy.

The firecracker shrimp po’boy takes a different route. Fresh shrimp are tossed in a spicy sauce, giving it a saucy, dynamite-shrimp-like kick rather than a plain fried-shrimp profile. It is a good choice for anyone who wants heat along with the crunch.

The half-and-half pairing of firecracker shrimp and catfish is especially fun if choosing one filling seems unnecessarily limiting. Saucy shrimp share space with hot, crisp fried fish, creating a sandwich with both spice and texture.

Seafood fans can also head toward the oyster po’boy, made with fried oysters, or order a shrimp-and-oyster combination. Pulled pork, the Ferdi po’boy and other combinations broaden the menu beyond the usual roast beef versus fried seafood decision.

Debris fries, often called gravy fries, deserve their own place on the table. Versions with gravy and cheese appear alongside the sandwiches, turning a side order into a properly rich affair. They are not a subtle counterpoint to a po’boy, and that is very much the point.

Fried pickles offer a crisp, tangy opening move. Onion rings come with remoulade, which gives the familiar side a little New Orleans personality without making it fussy.

Crawfish bites add another fried seafood option for a table that wants to sample around. Coleslaw is available when a po’boy needs a cooler, simpler companion.

A po’boy may be the signature order, but the muffaletta is not a minor detour. Its dense cold-cut filling makes for a substantial sandwich, large enough that a half can go a surprisingly long way.

It suits a slower lunch, especially when the table wants to split a few things rather than have everyone commit to the same kind of sandwich. Between a shared muffaletta, an order of fries and a fried starter, there is no need to overcomplicate the meal.

The division between bar and restaurant is one of Parasol’s useful little quirks. Downstairs has bar seating and a casual place to order a drink; the dining area is reached past the bar and upstairs. Diners can settle in at the bar or take a beer upstairs with the food.

Beer is available on tap and from the cooler, alongside liquor that includes local options. A handmade Bloody Mary is a fitting choice for a daytime stop, while a cold beer keeps the whole affair agreeably simple.

There is indoor seating, plus some outdoor patio or terrace seating. The outdoor area has been described as dog-friendly, though that should not be taken to mean every dining area accommodates dogs. The room is generally conducive to conversation, without a polished-restaurant hush or a forced party atmosphere.

Parasol’s fits neatly after a self-guided wander through the Garden District. It has the restorative appeal of a place where you can sit down, order something substantial and let the pace of the neighborhood take over for a bit.

The setting is small and unpolished in the best neighborhood-bar sense: warm, social and unconcerned with formal presentation. That makes a full po’boy lunch feel perfectly at home alongside a quick beer, and it gives an evening visit a similarly relaxed rhythm.

Parasol’s is generally a walk-in stop rather than a reservation destination. Free street parking is available in the area, although a space can be hard to find.

The dining setup may involve stairs, since the restaurant area is upstairs or beyond the downstairs bar. A cash-only menu price has also appeared, so it is wise to confirm the current payment policy before depending on a card.

Kitchen service may end around 9:30 p.m. even when the attached bar remains open later. Current kitchen hours are worth checking if a late po’boy is the plan.