The history of the Po' Boy Sandwich traces back to Bernie and Clovis Martin of Raceland. Eventually opening a coffee bar and restaurant in the French Quarter of New Orleans, they presented the sandwich style they brought with them for free to striking streetcar workers. It's grown to be a famed culinary addition to local recipes.
Raceland is an unincorporated census designated place that is, for the most part, an extension of Thibodaux, which lies a few minutes away to the northwest
The history of the Po' Boy Sandwich traces back to Bernie and Clovis Martin of Raceland. Eventually opening a coffee bar and restaurant in the French Quarter of New Orleans, they presented the sandwich style they brought with them for free to striking streetcar workers. It's grown to be a famed culinary addition to local recipes.
Raceland is an unincorporated census designated place that is, for the most part, an extension of Thibodaux, which lies a few minutes away to the northwest. It was agriculture that brought settlers to the area and earned it the moniker "Sugar Bowl." The town is laid out pretty much along the lines of how the fields were established when large scale settlement happened. Long strips of farmland followed irrigation canals and ditches away from the main waterway, and along some of them homes and businesses have been built. From above, it looks something like a long centipede, the main body being along the water, with legs extending outward into the countryside.
In large part because of a relatively strong job market, the number of available places to live in that are up for rent is below the national average. What that means is that if you just load up the jalopy and head here, you might not find the spot you want, at least not right away. The smart move is to plan ahead. Say you want to choose from a selection of 2 bedroom apartments. The best way to do so is to list all of the properties offering units and work through them methodically. Try to find spots with the amenities that you seek - oh, and in your price range. It doesn't make sense to shop too far off your budget! The more time you have, the more choosy you can be. That extra time can be even more important if you are in the hunt for pet friendly apartments. Of course, a good credit rating helps. Be prepared to provide first and last, along with a security deposit and income verification info, should you be asked to provide it.
Most of the more than 10,000 people who call Raceland home are in a few larger and wider legs that reach out from the main areas along the bayou or in the downtown strip that runs along the water.
Hwy 182: The section running parallel to Highway 182 has a mix of housing that includes mobile homes, some small apartment buildings, and traditional single-family homes on lots. You will see processing facilities for the Raceland Raw Sugar Corporation on the edge of town. Near the water, The Post Office is just across the bridge on the east side of the waterway.
U.S. 90: This is the freeway to the south of town that connects the community to the New Orleans area east of here. You will find some newer construction here and a few retail stores near the water. A shopping center and Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital are here, near where the freeway crosses over the bayou. To the southwest, Sugarland Country Club has golfing and club amenities.
Downtown: Both sides of the water essentially have all the elements of a small town downtown area. The commercial zone with shops and eateries also has a few places where you might be able to find a studio apartment for rent. Most of the retail establishments are on the southwest side, while the northeast side does have a few. Try Griffins PoBoy and Grill for a tasty lunchtime treat. Moe's Pizza is another local favorite that offers up a nice selection of pizza pies.
The first thing you will have to get used to is getting around town. The different legs in town are often only connected via the roads near the water, which means driving to a place a few hundred yards away might mean a journey of a couple of miles. Once you master that, you will find a charming small town. Need a big city fix? New Orleans, with all of its famous restaurants and great nightlife, is less than an hour's drive away. When looking to grab a bite in Raceland, check out the Goal Post Drive In or El Cajuns La Mex when you get a hankering for either good Cajun or Mexican food.
