Radosta’s Po-boys

Radosta’s Po-Boys: Where Old Metairie’s Heart Beats Strong

There’s something special about walking into Radosta’s Po-Boys in Old Metairie’s Hog Alley. Maybe it’s the way time seems to slow down the moment you cross the threshold, or how the wood-paneled walls feel like they could tell a thousand stories. To me, it’s always felt like stepping into someone’s den — or better yet, like settling into a comfy chair at a fishing camp out on Lake Catherine, or in a large downstairs room where you’d settle in for an afternoon of boiled crawfish or some good potluck family dinner in Venetian Isles.  

I first came here as a kid, back when my father’s office was just down the street, in his office near Metairie Road. Those memories are as fresh as yesterday: the smell of fresh French bread, the sound of trains rumbling past, and the warm welcomes that make each visit feel like coming home.

The story of Radosta’s is woven deep into the fabric of Old Metairie. Radosta’s roots are firmly planted in the city, at the South Carrollton Avenue grocery that Jerome and Rosemary Radosta ran from 1920 until the ‘70s.

This Old Metry version of Radosta’s started in the 1970s as a neighborhood grocery store, following that classic New Orleans tradition where corner stores evolved into beloved po-boy shops. The Radosta family has kept this tradition alive through the generations, with Jerome’s son Don and his wife Joan carrying the torch up until recently.

What makes Radosta’s special isn’t just the food — though Lord knows those po-boys are something to write home about. It’s the way this place feels frozen in time, in the best possible way. Tucked away by the railroad tracks in the heart of Old Metairie, it’s a reminder of what neighborhood New Orleans eating is all about. No pretense, no fuss — just good food served with a side of genuine hospitality.

New owner, Robert Case has done something remarkable: as he and his team have managed to preserve the soul of what makes Radosta’s special while ensuring its legacy continues. It’s still that same comfortable spot where locals gather, where the roast beef po-boys are served just right, and where you can feel the pulse of Old Metairie beating strong.

If you’re looking for authentic New Orleans, yes, … the real deal — Radosta’s is it. This is where generations of Metairie families have gathered, where countless lunch breaks have turned into memorable conversations, and where the tradition of New Orleans po-boy craftsmanship lives on.

And that’s what makes places like Radosta’s so important. In a world that seems to change every day, it’s these neighborhood institutions that keep us grounded, that remind us of who we are and where we come from. The trains still rumble past, the regulars still swap stories, and the po-boys are still served with a smile — just like they were when I first walked in with my Dad all those years ago.

Next time you’re in Old Metairie, do yourself a favor: step into Radosta’s. Grab a seat at one of those tables, order your favorite sandwich, and let yourself become part of a story that’s been unfolding for half a century. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did. — scott mccrossen