Melba’s Old school Po-Boys

Great place to eat, employees were friendly. We wanted some crawfish late at night and they were open 24hours. Only bad part was our crawfish wasn’t hot,(last boil is at 9pm) but still wasn’t bad that I got my fix at 1am.

Melba’s is another one of those NOLA institutions not to be missed. Where else can you get po’ boys, hot crawfish, dozens of culinary delights, and simultaneously do your laundry in the attached laundromat? The crew had it going on early, everything is authentic Creole, Soul and Cajun, and every person in there has a certain pride about serving you real NOLA and it shows. We had the grits, both kinds — creamy style and cheesy style, which contains some whole kernel fresh sweet corn, we had crawfish that we had literally watched die for our breakfast, it’s serve yourself soft drinks, bevvies and whatnot, food to take or places to sit, happening place because this is where the actual residents eat. The restroom is one size fits all, clean and stocked, even for baby changing. Foodie peeps like my chef son and I could have spent hours in there, enjoying our conversation with the fine folks serving up NOLA Soul. Do visit!

I love Melba’s! I pass Melba’s daily driving home. The employees are professional, funny, (sometimes a little personal), but always to the point with serving you great food. I highly recommend the roast beef with gravy, gumbo, and pretty much everything on the menu. It it good eating at affordable pricing. I also appreciate the fact that it’s open 24hrs. and has parking available around the back. I have never sat inside but Melba’s has additional seating in the around the side of the building. I have also tried the breakfast, which was hearty and reminded me of those wonderful homecooked breakfast I received when I lived at home with my parents.

I just ordered a shrimp poboy and it was uugghhh NOT GOOD, the shrimp taste like it was just pulled out the gulf! My first time here and i doubt I’ll ever come back ya’ll can keep that!

This place was a find! Off the beaten path, but wow does it have good stuff. And really inexpensive. I got boiled crawfish for $ 2.55/lb! Oh, the spices they used in the boil… I’d eat that any time. The gumbo was super and everything else looked fantastic too. The restaurant and restrooms were clean and the staff was pleasant. Oh, and don’t skip the daiquiris!

While visiting NOLA I was craving a crawfish poyboy. I asked a police officer in the French Quarters for a recommendation and it was Melba’s! 10 minute cab ride later, I arrive to a storefront attached to a LaundryMat. I went inside and proceeded to order my poboy. «Sorry we do not have crawfish, but we have shrimp poboy» OK, whatever, I’ll take that. The sandwich was very basic with lettuce, tomato and shrimp on French Bread. The shrimp was not overflowing like most poboys are! It was not that good and I was very disappointed… The 2 stars are for the friendly atmosphere and nice man we met eating. My search for a crawfish poboy continued the next few days to no avail…

Pretty awesome food. Had the ribs and red beans with a panty dropperz daiquiri. It was so fly. Thats all i have to say.

Bought 2 lbs of crawfish and wasn’t impressed.

I was pleasantly surprised by this place. It’s not in the best neighborhood but it was one of the cleanest restaurants in the city. The chicken fingers were the best we’ve ever had and the crawfish were fresh and only $ 2.49 a lb. Melba’s was a great spot that we ate at four days in a row.

I’m changing my review after a recent experience where I was treated horribly by a staff member who shall remain unnamed. I want so badly to like Melba’s, and it’s saddening that the food doesn’t outweigh the repeated experiences of bad customer service.
About a week ago, I visited and ordered 2 sides. After being given the wrong food (that the cashier took down correctly, efficiently, and very courteously), I waited an additional 20 minutes for my 2^nd side.
A supervisor/​manager (I’m unsure) noticed how long I had been waiting and politely requested that it be fixed immediately. She then apologized, and I assured her that I understood given my previous work experience. Later, I offered suggestions for speeding up the shift and drawer change process, and she offered me a job opportunity.
Also, they will not honor the french fry deal, even though it’s still on here and their radio station.
Two days later, I went in for lunch, got a refill using my refill cup and was met by a staff member who was extremely rude and could not muster the ability to use complete words or sentences. She asked when I bought my cup, and I was honest that it was not the same day. I’m new to town and didn’t realize I misunderstood the local business’ free refill policy. I felt like I was being treated like a criminal, as opposed to a new but common customer who had a genuine misunderstanding. Part of her job is customer service, and there is no excuse to treat patrons as though they are out to get lunch. I decided to skip lunch at Melba’s and will genuinely never go back, not even for laundry.
It’s disappointing that such poor service is tolerated and abundant.

Quick review: YES. Looking for a quintessential New Orleans food experience? Visit Melba’s! The menu has everything to satisfy a craving for soul food. I can only vouch for the shrimp po’boy, but based on the line we had to wait in, I’d say Melba’s obviously has a lot to offer.
Details :
We stumbled upon Melba’s while walking from our Airbnb to the French Quarter. What a lucky stumble it was! It was my first visit to New Orleans and I wanted to try the famous po’boy sandwich, and Melba’s did not disappoint me.
The inside décor is extremely vibrant and colorful, with paintings adorning the walls and a menu that is a work of art in itself. We waited in a fairly long line to order, but that doesn’t bother me as it’s a mark of a good place to eat. Ordering is a bit chaotic because they are trying to move the line and take care of your transaction as quickly as possible, plus yelling out ready orders, so don’t expect top of the line customer service. Just folks trying to get a job done.
Tip for New Orleans newbies like I was — they’ll ask you if you want your po’boy «dressed.» This means do you want lettuce, tomatoes and mayo. Unless you have an allergy to any of these items, just say yes. I ordered the grilled shrimp po’boy in the «po’boy» size. It’s a little confusing, as they have a «bun» size, «po’boy» size, and «loaf» size. Go with the middle option ($ 10 and change).
I was very impressed with the sandwich! The bread was delicious, and I thought the grilled shrimp was very good. I tried a fried shrimp from my boyfriend’s sandwich, and it was just as tasty. A po’boy doesn’t come with lots of whistles and bells anyway, but the lettuce and tomato on my sandwich were hearty and fresh. And I ended up saving one of my three sections for a snack later!
They have quite a few tables in the next room over from where you order, plus seating outside. Or you can take your meal to go. Overall, I’d recommend Melba’s for an authentic meal and experience. I’ll be back when I visit New Orleans again!

Was good, but not outstanding. Shrimp for the po-​boy was fresh out of the plastic bag and Unilocal coupon for free fries was not honored.
Plenty of parking around back, avoid parking up front with the laundry mat people.

I just had to write about the experience I had on 3÷19÷2016. I came into the restaurant pretty late and very hungry. There was a long line and 2 gentlemen that ordered prior to me complained that the cashier had a“nasty attitude”.They were 100% correct. Your cashier Terriyion should NEVER be allowed to interact with customers. She is the epitome of horrible customer service. She cut me off several times while placing my order, sighed heavily when I asked her to repeat herself, which I wouldn’t have had to do if she was speaking clearly. No hello, no please, no thank you, just snatched the money and moved on top the next customer. Whoever the older woman was that worked the night of 3/17,you should have her give a lesson on true New Orleans hospitality. As a native, I found this young woman’s service utterly disgusting. IF I ever walk in and see her again, I’ll walk right back out.
Side note, they charge if you want your po boy dressed. That is the most ludicrous, ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen. Po boys are automatically dressed!!! My $ 8.99 hot sausage po boy costs $ 11.49 after paying for cheese and to have it dressed. RIP OFF. Save yourself the trouble and go to Genes.

Yesssssssss.
Things I said at Melba’s «dang them ribs big» «thas how my grandma gumbo is» «when I come back I’m gettin a large of the cabbage» «dang this cornbread sweet like cake»
My partner said «I feel bad because I was talkin shit bout New Orleans having real soul food»
And them two fa one daiquiris on Wednesday

So Melba is 100% 9^th ward good eatin’!!! Its half restaurant half cafeteria style. When you walk in the first thing that will grab your eye is the big menu board. On it are the food available. But look around and the beautiful artwork is the second item that will catch your eye. They have a beautiful array of New Orleans style artwork that grace the walls, and even a trash barrel that is a beautiful piece.
For this trip I tried the shrimp and grits along with well buttered toast. The shrimp was grilled and was plentiful…30+ pieces of medium/​large shrimp with a very hearty serving of grits.
Melba’s is a wonderful establishment to visit when in New Orleans. Its authentic, hearty and really a cool place to go!

«MELBA’S IS NOW OFFICIALLY OFF-​THE-​CHARTS WACKY»
said my friend today after visiting the newest iteration of the crazy phenom that is Melba’s. Every time I go the inventive Wolfe brothers have added even more creative front-​of-​house inventions. In the last few months they’ve moved doors to free up dining space, swapped the counter area to improve efficiency, and the biggest improvement: a roped ordering queue.
IDA KOHLMEYER IS SMILING
Then there is the bright artwork, the polychrome smattering of intense colorful machinery, the employee’s new saturated Melba’s blue T-​shirts running amok. If you stand back and squint it’s like being in a kinetic abstract painting.
AND AS ALWAYS: 30 SWIMPS GUARANTEED!
I still say it is the best shrimp po’boy in town. And having given up bread for Lent, I got it on their olive-​salad club salad, with 30 swimps $ 11. The witty branding at Melba’s has also exploded. Free signature cups, visors and caps are just $ 10, and now sandwiches are wrapped in a surprisingly tasteful print (pic) I’m recycling as gift wrap.

Good, solid NOLA food. Wait times too long. They should get their systems in sink with demand, but I am sure they would if they cared. The employees are very kind.

I waited thirty minutes for one breakfast plate. My friend received and finished an omelette in that time. They up charged me three dollars for items without informing me (vocally or on the menu).i requested a refund for poor service. Made me late getting back to work. Overall terrible experience. The few times I have eaten the food are as follows
Pasta: inedible
Fried chicken: brothers is better and cheaper one block away in the gas station
Poboys: crusty old bread ruins the sandwich
Gumbo is worth trying.

Waited almost an hour for a fried shrimp poboy, some gumbo, and a soda. Kind of crazy.
It was New Years day so I would have given them a pass except the fried shrimp poboy wasn’t that good and neither was the gumbo.

I have never been more excited to give a 5-​star review. Melba’s is incredible, and if you’re in New Orleans it’s definitely worth stopping by. It’s counter-​service, with some of the stuff on a hot-​bar. There’s parking out front and a fair amount of seating inside. They have daily rotating food and daiquiri specials, so I was able to get dinner, a daiquiri, and dessert for about $ 13. The daiquiris are essentially 7 – 11 slushies but with alcohol. They’re pretty strong and they have a bunch of flavors.
I got the red beans and rice plate, which comes with smoked or hot sausage, a hot-​bar side, and either cornbread or corn grits. It was all amazing, but the corn grits were actually above and beyond. Melba’s corn grits might be the best thing I ate in New Orleans while I was there. For my side I got gumbo, which was well-​made and generous with the sausage, but I think I should have got the mac and cheese, which was literally beautiful. Someone else in our group had the fried chicken and said was the best she’d ever had.
Definitely also get dessert. The bread pudding ($ 3) was life-​changing.