18th Annual Festival:
Sunday, November 8th, 2026
10A-6P
The talent and cuisine at the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival are (in our opinion) unmatched, but who will be crowned the best in each category? That can only be determined by a special panel of Po-Boy Judges.
Meet some of the amazing folks who will put po-boys to the test in 2025!
CHEF MEG BICKFORD
Executive Chef, Commander's Palace
FAVORITE LOCAL PO-BOY SPOT
& GO TO ORDER?
Domilise's: Roast Beef
Guy's: Hot Saucing + Fried Shrimp
GO TO PO-BOY DRINK?
Ice cold beer or
Barq's Root Beer
FULLY DRESSED?
Always dressed!
CAITLIN MINSHEW
Knows her way around the IYKYK insider spots
FAVORITE LOCAL PO-BOY SPOT
& GO TO ORDER?
Domilise's
Roast Beef Po-boy
GO TO PO-BOY DRINK?
Ice cold root beer
FULLY DRESSED?
Fully dressed and extra smothered!
KORTLYNN JANAE´
Ready to take on all the poboys at the festival
FAVORITE LOCAL PO-BOY SPOT
& GO TO ORDER?
Mahony's
Fried Shrimp Po-Boy
GO TO PO-BOY DRINK?
Ice cold water to combat the sodium!
FULLY DRESSED?
Keeps it simple: light mayo & lettuce
ALEXA CUTRER
Knows all things food and fun on the gulf coast
FAVORITE LOCAL PO-BOY SPOT
& GO TO ORDER?
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Fried Shrimp Poboy
GO TO PO-BOY DRINK?
Glass Bottle Barq's
FULLY DRESSED?
Always Fully Dressed!
NICOLE CARIDAD RALSTON
All things food and a rich appreciation for New Orleans' food culture
FAVORITE LOCAL PO-BOY SPOT
& GO TO ORDER?
Lil Dizzy's Hot
Sausage Poboy
GO TO PO-BOY DRINK?
Crisp, Kölsch style beer
FULLY DRESSED?
Yes, with hot sauce
BEN & SCOT
Ready to put all po-boys to the test
FAVORITE LOCAL PO-BOY SPOT
& GO TO ORDER?
Ben: Parkway's Fried Oyster Poboy
Scot: Parkway's Surf & Turf Poboy
GO TO PO-BOY DRINK?
Frozen Porch Swing Cocktail
Frozen Mango Margarita
FULLY DRESSED?
Always!
TAMICA LEE
A New Orleans native ready to do it all
FAVORITE LOCAL PO-BOY SPOT
& GO TO ORDER?
Parkway's Shrimp Po-boy
GO TO PO-BOY DRINK?
Jucifer or whatever beer supports
Son of a Saint
FULLY DRESSED?
Butter and pickles!
CARLA PESONO
Purveyor of hidden gems & local food spots
FAVORITE LOCAL PO-BOY SPOT
& GO TO ORDER?
Verti Mart
Shrimp Poboy or All That Jazz
GO TO PO-BOY DRINK?
Lemonade or Dr. Pepper
depending on my mood!
FULLY DRESSED?
Absolutely! With a side of fries!
TAKIA NELSON
Creative force rooted in NOLA culture
FAVORITE LOCAL PO-BOY SPOT
& GO TO ORDER?
Poboy Depot
Shrimp Poboy
GO TO PO-BOY DRINK?
Mug Root Beer
FULLY DRESSED?
Yes! With extra mayo
IAN McNULTY
City's top food critic. Ready for one of his favorite days of the year!
FAVORITE LOCAL PO-BOY SPOT
& GO TO ORDER?
Zimmer's Seafood's
Fried Shrimp on seeded bread
from John Gendusa Bakery
GO TO PO-BOY DRINK?
Unsweet Tea . . . if it's the weekend, a beer!
FULLY DRESSED?
Tomato, pickles, mayo, skip the lettuce
JORDAN BASHAM
Lover of all things food + lifestyle
FAVORITE LOCAL PO-BOY SPOT
& GO TO ORDER?
Baton Rouge: Downtown Seafood & Grille - Shrimp or Catfish Poboy
NoLa: Parasol's - Firecracker Shrimp Poboy
GO TO PO-BOY DRINK?
Coke or sweet tea in Baton Rouge
Gotta get an ice cold beer at Parasol's
FULLY DRESSED?
Mayo, Lettuce, Pickles
CAITLIN OBREMSKI-ORELLANA
Knows all things NoLa from food to events
FAVORITE LOCAL PO-BOY SPOT
& GO TO ORDER?
Crabby Jack's
Slow Roasted Duck Poboy
GO TO PO-BOY DRINK?
Barq's Root Beer
FULLY DRESSED?
Fully Dressed with a side of corn masque choux
LIZA SMITH
All about New Orleans
and beyond
FAVORITE LOCAL PO-BOY SPOT
& GO TO ORDER?
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Half shrimp & half oyster
GO TO PO-BOY DRINK?
Frozen Porch Swing
FULLY DRESSED?
Always fully dressed!
TRIECE
New Orleans native exploring my city and taking you with me
FAVORITE LOCAL PO-BOY SPOT
& GO TO ORDER?
Cajun Joe's Shrimp Poboy
GO TO PO-BOY DRINK?
Island Punch Ever Fresh Drink
FULLY DRESSED?
Just hot sauce with extra lettuce & extra mayo