METAIRIE, La. – WWL-TV is launching a new series called “Access Code” where each week Leslie Spoon will dive a little deeper into ZIP codes in our viewing area.
This week’s ZIP code: 70001 which is centered in Metairie, Louisiana between I-10 to the Earhart Expressway and Transcontinental Drive to Causeway Boulevard.
There are roughly 42,000 people who live in the 70001 area, with almost 1,900 business. Of that group, there are 59 “traditional restaurants” and one claims that they make the “best roast beef poboy you’ve ever had.”
Everyone has their favorite poboy shop, but the people who pack into Bear’s Poboys in Metairie says there is no competition. General Manager Chris Camfill says it is the mayonnaise that sets his poboys apart.
“You want to make the first bite as good as the last bite,” Camfill said. “So that’s putting mayo from top to end and having it everywhere.”
While the mayo is the key ingredient, Camfill says the poboy’s construction also plays a large part.
“We pretty much put love in our food. We cook our roast, make our own gravy from the roast,” Camfill said. “When we slice it, slice it really thin. Not an old style gravy made with thick flour, it’s just au jus. So most people think our roast beef doesn’t have any gravy, but pick it up, it’ll get ya.”
Bears has 4 and a half stars on Yelp and a lot of reviews boast of “impeccable customer service.” Waitresses don’t have assigned tables, so you may be waited on by three or four people each visit. And that makes all the difference!
Bear’s was originally a snowball stand in Old Mandeville. They started selling poboys out of the stand, and the rest is history.
There is also a Bear’s location in Covington. While that store is owned by different owners, the only difference is the bread.
Coming up next week, we’ll tell you about the “bare-knuckle brawl on the Mississippi” and its place in Kenner history.