When the calendar turns to November there are certain traditions that kick into the gear. One of them is the Thanksgiving po-boy at Parkway Bakery & Tavern, a beautiful monster of a sandwich that has been harnessed for a good cause by two New Orleans restaurant families.
Parkway manager Justin Kennedy came up with the sandwich in 2007, packing a po-boy loaf with an homage to holiday leftovers — cornbread dressing, gravy, whole-berry cranberry sauce and roasted turkey (a mix of white and dark chunks, not deli slices).
The Thanksgiving turkey po-boy is an annual tradition at Parkway Bakery & Tavern in New Orleans. (Staff photo by Ian McNulty, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
Instead of an after-Thanksgiving treat, however, this po-boy became a holiday psyche-up sandwich, served at Parkway only on Wednesdays in November.
People line up each Wednesday in November to get a special Thanksgiving po-boy at Parkway Bakery & Tavern in New Orleans. (File photo)
It started out as a simple seasonal special. But New Orleans people, with the zeal they throw into things like this, eventually turned it into a happening. The line to get one typically stretches down the sidewalk. It's common to see people arrive in groups. Some show up in Thanksgiving-themed costumes, because, well, it’s New Orleans.
In 2017, Parkway decided to harness the runaway demand for a cause, partnering with the Al Copeland Foundation, a nonprofit that supports cancer research and is named for the late, great fried chicken king of New Orleans. It’s called #IDidItFortheTurkey.
Parkway Bakery and Tavern owner Jay Nix, left, and manager Justin Kennedy run a special fundraiser around their Thanksgiving po-boys each Wednesday in November. (File photo)
"It's about so much more than the sandwich now," Kennedy said. "It's amazing how people have gotten involved to we can raise money to fight cancer."
It's continued to grow as a fundraiser. Those essential po-boy suppliers Leidenheimer Baking Co., Crystal Hot Sauce and Blue Plate Mayonnaise are sponsors, and each Thanksgiving po-boy sold will benefit the foundation.
Fast pass and extras
The Thanksgiving turkey po-boy is an annual tradition at Parkway Bakery & Tavern in New Orleans. (Staff photo by Ian McNulty, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
As in past years, people who make a $100 contribution get to skip the line (from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and get a bunch of extras with their Thanksgiving po-boy.
This year that includes a T-shirt, sweet potato fries, an Arnold Palmer drink and a Creole cream cheese ice cream sandwich from New Orleans Ice Cream Co.
Regular sales of the Thanksgiving po-boy, and the restaurant’s normal menu, will continue as usual during the charitable campaign. This year, the special sandwiches will be served Nov. 6, 13, 20 and 27.
“Skip the line” tickets are available in advance at AlCopelandFoundation.org, at parkwaypoorboys.com and at the restaurant itself, on Wednesdays in November, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
538 Hagan Ave., 504-482-3047
