Thursday means it’s time for the chicken fried steak po-boy at @parentons_poboys , a restaurant about the size of a one-car garage from the days when cars were smaller.

Parenton’s has a special place in my heart for the personality that operators Brenda and Dennis have baked into the clubhouse-like confines, and for the specials.

Chicken fried steak arrives with long, thin sheets of steak stretching across the length of the bread, with crisp, well-seasoned edges jutting out past the crust.

I’m also a fan of the everyday oyster po-boy, with lightly-coated bivalves popped out of the oil at the perfect time, still bursting with juice.

Dress mine with butter and pickles only, please.

All around New Orleans and especially the burbs, quiet backstreet restaurants that keep local tradition alive have evolved their own house specialties that are every bit as unique and delicious as anything cooked up just to grab your attention on social media.

They’ve just been part of what they do for many years.

Link in my bio has the story with a romp through a bunch of these old joints.

#wherenolaeats #igersneworleans #poboy #jeffersonparish #neworleansfood