Zydeco Po-Boys adds Cajun flair to sandwich joint

According to popular lore, the po-boy — the traditional submarine sandwich of Louisiana — was so named thanks to Benny and Clovis Martin, former streetcar conductors-turned-restaurant owners in New Orleans who, during a four-month strike in 1929 against the streetcar company, served their former colleagues free sandwiches.

These days, a reference to a "po-boy" tends to conjure up any variety of fried seafood (usually catfish, shrimp or oysters), served on a crusty roll. At downtown Las Vegas' Zydeco Po-Boys, you'll find varieties with the catfish or the shrimp, along with Cajun turkey or sausage, oven-roasted ham or brisket, and the Zydeco Special — ham, turkey and brisket on a single po-boy.

The eatery opened in October 2015 at 616 E. Carson Ave., Suite 140, about a block from Downtown Container Park. In an area hopping with new culinary choices, Zydeco sets itself apart both with its Cajun-style menu and its casual, local sandwich shop feel.

Service is counter, with the menu written on a blackboard and your food brought to you at your table. Along with the signature po-boys served on Leidenheimer bread, there also are salads ($6 for vegetarian, with options to add turkey, catfish, shrimp or ham for an additional charge); and specialties ($5.50 for a small order and $8.50 for large) of red beans, sausage and rice, and Dirty Cajun Fries, topped with signature Cajun sausage, caramelized onions, Provolone and pepperoncinis.

Sides include Cajun fries or onion rings for $3 each, along with Cajun potato salad ($2.50), with Creole mustard, Cajun spices, jalapenos and plenty of pickle. If you're sensitive to spice, be aware — the potato salad here has a bit of a kick.

You can make your po-boy a combo by adding a choice of side and a small drink for $1.25.

Finally, no Cajun-inspired menu would be complete without gumbo, and there two varieties here: chicken and sausage ($5.50 for a small order and $8.50 for large) — available Zydeco Style with a scoop of potato salad added for $1.50 — and vegan gumbo with black-eyed peas, Cajun spices, Cajun trinity, greens and roux served over white rice ($4.50 for a small order and $7.50 for large).

While alcohol is available (beer or hard cider and frozen daiquiries), sadly those with a sweet tooth won't find a dessert menu. Might we suggest adding some beignets?

Complementing owner/chef Brandon Trahan's authentic Louisiana recipes is a cozy atmosphere with plenty of seating at laminated tables that feature individual purse hooks (a nice touch). Zydeco music (a blend of blues, rhythm and blues, and Cajun rhythms, dominated by the sounds of accordion and washboard, according to the restaurant's website) also plays here, so if you're looking for a quiet spot to savor your po-boy, you might want to take it down the street to Container Park.

Zydeco Po-Boys is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 702-982-1889 or visit zydecopo-boys.com.