Po' boys come in many varieties at this spacious fast-food spot with Southern staples like wings.
"This 24/7 diner-style restaurant is popular for po’ boys, but the platters are cheap and good. Red beans and rice, baked chicken, mac and cheese, baked chicken, wings, fried pork chops, all delicious. Melba’s daily plates, all of which are $11 except for the seafood ones, are a steal. Oh, get a daiquiri with the money saved on eats. For the ambitious, there’s a 24-hour laundromat as well." - Beth D'Addono, Clair Lorell
"Beyond the po’ boys that fly out the door 24/7 at this locally-owned restaurant, Melba’s offers daily hot plates served at all hours. Technically meat and ones, because they include one side, options might be stuffed bell peppers, barbecue ribs, or smothered cabbage. Traditional sides run the gamut from baked macaroni to jambalaya and cornbread." - Beth D'Addono
"Local brothers Andy and Mo Gaber own the Melba’s on Elysian Field, a busy 24-hour spot with a ton of parking out back and a popular menu of daiquiris, po’ boys, breakfast sandwiches, and chicken wings. Portions can feed a crowd, as is the case with the jambalaya, offered in eight, 12, 16, and 32-ounce helpings." - Beth D'Addono
"Melba’s is awesome 24/7; an epicenter of homestyle New Orleans cookery that dishes goodness fast, fresh, and hot. There’s a bar with daiquiris in the back; up front is where to order platters of stuffed bell peppers or pork chops smothered in gravy and every kind of po’ boy. Then there’s creamy but not too creamy spiced red beans with either wings or smoked chicken on the plate." - Eater Staff
"“Eat Pray Love” proclaims a sign outside of this neighborhood staple on busy Claiborne Avenue. As in “Eat at Melba’s, Pray before meals, and Love New Orleans.” If that’s not enough to get you in the door, consider the long list of frozen daiquiris, every possible kind of over-stuffed po’ boy, and the shrimp and grits, all perfect any time of day. There just happens to be a laundromat next door that offers free dryers after midnight, in case you need to do a few loads while you munch." - Eater Staff