Paulie's Delicatessen Italiano NOLA — Restaurant in New Orleans

Yeah - they're legit. I'm always on the hunt for a deli style meal. Love a good Reuben and certainly have to order a Chicken Parm if I see that on the menu. Two items I would say you can judge a place by based on how it comes out. If the Chicken Parm is good, then you know they're running a tight ship and they're doing the rest right. That's how it felt here. We're from here. We love our good spots. In my humble opinion the ones that last are the ones who have people in it because it's actually what they love to do and they're thinking about all the details. That's what it feels like here. The owner is right there doing his thing and happy to talk and say hello. The wait staff are adults, happy to be there, and knowledgeable about what's on the menu and clearly have good energy with the place. Not a good sign for example when it's all teenagers and one adult in the back "managing" - they're not taking it seriously. I'm not an expert on Italian Deli food, I just like it when it's good. It was good. The interior is cool. Everything looks like it's thought out and pieced together with the intent to be there for a long time, AND a good time. This to me is what an actual locally owned place is. They know what they're about. They enjoy doing it. They're doing it well. And they're genuinely interested to be part of the neighborhood, to connect with their customers and neighbors. Nothing is outrageously priced, the portions are good, and you know that if something wasn't totally right you just say something and they'd be happy to make it right. Great addition to Oak St. They got something for you, they got something for the kids. Go out and give 'em a shot. Looks like they're trying to add to the music scene too. Nice to meet y'all the other day. My son and I will be seeing...

Highlights: • Service- Great. • Mozz sticks and Onion Ring- Fire • Vibes- Loved the look and feel of this place

Now let’s talk about the Italian hoagie (AKA Bronx Bomber)… My favorite sandwich of all time, literally the only reason I went in the first place…This one? Unfortunately, very much a letdown.

I ordered the Bronx Bomber, to be fair it wasn’t sold as a classic Italian hoagie, but it was the closest thing I saw. The bread was mid it wasn’t that classic hoagie roll you think of when you think of Philly/Jersey Hoagies. The meat although I love Boar’s Head just didn’t work somehow, and no shredded lettuce!?!?!. I wanted that Philly/NJ deli flavor, and instead I got a step above Subway. Not nearly as good as other great East Coast style sandwich spots here in the city. Honestly would have been happier with Jersey Mike’s. Having said all that, I’m not giving up on Paulie’s. The menu overall looks really good, there are probably 6 other things I would still want to try. I was there with two of my coworkers who had the Cuban and chicken parm both looked way better than what I had. So maybe the Italian just isn’t their lane. I’ll be back to try something else, because everything else about place was honestly pretty good. I'm just disappointed cause I really had my hopes up for a good Italian Hoagie.

Final verdict: Come for the apps, stay for the vibes, just don’t come looking for an...

I’ve ordered at the deli counter here before, but this visit was really confusing. We walked in and the woman behind the bar didn’t say a word, just let us walk to the back where the counter is. We ended up waiting there for about 15 minutes before someone finally told us you have to order at the bar now. The setup is strange, part deli, part bar, part restaurant, and no one explains how it works.

The woman running the bar was very rude and short, acting like we were stupid for not knowing their menu or process. She was also telling other customers to sit down and that she’d take their order, but then never actually did or gave them menus. Service was slow, our sandwiches came out wrong, and the total was nearly $40 for two.

The food itself was fine, but the experience was frustrating. Most people coming here probably just want a simple, friendly deli experience, not to stand around confused and deal with...