PO-BOY bread is a specific type of French Bread that is the ONLY type of bread you can use and still rightfully call the sandwich a "Po-Boy."

You can't just use any old bread that's labeled "French Bread" ... it could easily be too wide and too soft on the outside (it should have the slightest crust on the outside and be fluffy on the inside). If it's not one of the specific bakeries being mentioned on here, then it probably is insufficient.

The original "Po-Boy" French Bread was created by the Gendusa bakery for the Martin Brothers (the creators of the Po-Boy) ... the Gendusa family is still pumping them out, ... saw some loaves in Zuppardo's today.

The most popular/recognized/used in Po-Boy shops is Leidenheimer's "Zip" brand Po-Boy bread, with Reisling's brand probably second. Alois J Binder Bakery also makes a good legit Po-Boy bread that is widely used in shops. I also saw that one on the shelf next to Gendusa's, Leidenheimer, and Reisling. The only acceptable breads I've seen outside of those New Orleans bakeries were from Poupart's bakery.

If you can't get any of these wherever you're attempting to open your sandwich shop, then the next best thing would be to see if you could find a local Viet Namese bakery that bakes a decent Banh Mi loaf.

WITH ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, if you need to ask this question, you probably should NOT be venturing into selling sandwiches being promoted as "Po-Boys," as you obviously don't even know what one is, or how to make one, and likely never have. I sincerely hope you're not asking this question as you look over a product list from a food distributor figuring out what kind of bread to order.

I don't mean to offend you, i'm just being honest and sharing my knowledge and experience. Before I went to college, I spent over 10 years running a high volume kitchen that puts out some of the best Po-Boys in New Orleans. You wouldn't be the first person that thinks "its just a long sandwich with a huge portion of meat" ... and end up losing your arse on your investment.

I really hope that's not the case here. If you know sandwiches, then make some sandwiches. If you don't know Po-Boys, don't try to sell people some long overstuffed sandwiches you made and call them "Po-Boys."