New Orleans is renown for vibrancy, from the over-the-top regalia of Mardi Gras to the bold, zesty flavors of its Cajun cuisine. With a modest interior filled with tables swathed in red-checkered cloths, Sleepy's Poboys doesn’t even try to outdo The Big Easy’s visual flair. But behind its counter, owner Brichell Smith’s team matches the city’s finest culinary talent with specialties such as seafood gumbo chock full of crab, shrimp, and hot sausage.

Though full of various southern specialties, the core of Sleepy’s menu is its namesake po’boys. The chefs assemble these from traditional ingredients such as shrimp and oysters, but also put their own stamp on the sandwich with gravy-soaked roast beef and philly cheesesteak fixings. In the morning, they can even create a breakfast version with eggs, cheese, and your choice of meat; other breakfast items include platters full of grits, hash browns, and pancakes. Open seven days a week, mornings at Sleepy’s begin at 7 a.m. Monday–Saturday and don’t end until 2 a.m., leaving dedicated po’boy eaters with five hours to fill dream journals with drawings of sandwiches.