Calliope's Po-Boy, Houston

When Louisiana native Lisa Carnley found herself in Houston after Hurricane Katrina, she decided to unpack her culture inside a storefront on Jefferson and Hutchinson. The Cajun Stop is a little taste of Lisa’s home, and most visitors will agree that it’s not lacking in spice. Plates of crawfish étoufée make sure of that, though for every fiery main course there’s a cool complement for dessert.

Despite all these options, the real draw on the menu has always been the 16 po’boy sandwiches that Lisa grew up rolling in her grandmother’s restaurant. Nowadays, she considers everyone who walks in the door a member of her family. Like any good host, she surrounds her guests with painted windows, colorful pictures, and sports-inspired décor such as a furry rug made from the jersey of a former LSU Tiger.