Pop's - Which poboy are you?

Pop’s Poboys has been a downtown staple in Lafayette for over 10 years now. After opening its doors in April of 2015, they quickly became a local favorite with their fresh new takes on the beloved Cajun classic: the poboy. Their menu offers a wide variety ranging from traditional poboys to off-the-wall never-been-done-before choices, making for a unique experience. Being an astrologer and a frequent patron of Pop’s, I began seeing similarities between the Zodiac signs and some of my favorite poboys. Here are some brief blurbs dedicated to the stars and to the poboys! Does your favorite poboy match your star sign?

Aries (March 21 - April 19) - Buffalo Soulja

Crispy fried chicken covered in spicy Buffalo sauce awakens your senses while the tangy green onion buttermilk ranch refuses to be ignored. This poboy is bold with headstrong flavor, much like the sign of Aries. This fire sign, represented by the ram, charges full speed, unafraid, and head-first into any situation. Aries is named after Ares, the Greek God of war, and is ruled by Mars. This sign is daring, fearless, and ready to take charge!

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - Darlene

Taurus, the lovely bull. Just like Taurus, Darlene is all about the simple pleasures in life. Beefy meatballs smothered in gravy, laid on a bed of lettuce, tomato, and mayo will take you back to Sunday Dinners at MawMaw’s house. The concept of slowing down and appreciating the beauty around you is a staple of Taurus. Think less “bull in a china shop” and more Ferdinand the Bull, who just wanted to sit and enjoy the pretty flowers. That’s Taurus for you, an earth sign ruled by Venus, the planet of love and beauty.

Gemini (May 20 - June 21) - Surf & Turf 2.0

Warm roast beef and fried shrimp sit on fresh bread dressed with lettuce and tomato. The jalapeno mayo comes in with the spice, giving this merging of land and sea a kick of chaos. Gemini is when polar opposites come together, represented by the twins. A little mischievous, Gemini’s energy is a beautiful mix of opposing forces meeting each other. It’s a little bit of everything, like the Surf & Turf 2.0. This air sign is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, making it a wealth of knowledge and information. Gemini wants to experience both sides fully and completely.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) - Delcambre Dandy

The Delcambre Dandy, with its juicy fried shrimp, arugula, tomato, and decadent lemon caper sauce, will take you back to summer getaways on the gulf coast with your family. That’s what Cancer, the strong crab with a soft heart, is all about. Cancer reminds of the comforts of home and feeling safe and familiar. This water sign is ruled by the Ruler of The Tides, the Moon, and sometimes called the Mother of the Zodiac. While Cancer is like a protective mother with its shell, its energy is warm and nurturing. Cancer will feed you, cry with you, and put on your favorite songs just to see you smile again.

Leo (July 23 - Aug 22) - Hot Hot

This poboy is coming in Hot Hot! Juicy fried chicken tossed in Nashville style Hot Hot sauce dressed with mayo, green onion buttermilk ranch, and dill pickles are sure to command your attention, just like Leo. Being ruled by the center of our solar system, the Sun, this fire sign can’t help but be the warm and generous center of attention. Leo is represented by the lion and lives up to its reputation as King of the Jungle, giving off a regal and commanding aura - and some major heat! Is it getting Hot Hot in here or did Leo just walk in?

Virgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22) - Banh Banh Shrimp

This tantalizing poboy has soft grilled shrimp paired with crispy pickled carrots and cucumbers, drizzled with chili garlic mayo. Everything about it is fresh and perfect, like Virgo. Represented by the maiden and all about logic and precision, this Mercury-ruled sign knows what works and doesn’t have time for what doesn’t. Like the carefully crafted Banh Banh, Virgo has an insane attention to detail that drives them to get it perfect every time. This earth sign often has a quiet confidence about them, letting the results of their efforts speak for themselves.

Libra (Sept 23 - Oct 22) - Surf & Turf

One of my personal faves, the Surf & Turf has warm roast beef and fresh fried oysters dressed with lettuce, tomato, and horseradish peppercorn sauce. It is a perfect balance of both sides, which makes it very Libra. While Gemini is two opposing forces coming together at full force, Libra, represented by the scales of justice, wants to balance those two forces. An air sign ruled by Venus, Libra is all about harmony and finding the middle ground. This sign is an expert at networking and forming connections.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) - Weekly Special

Every week Pop’s has a special limited-time-only poboy. It could be the Kathy Bates, Parmed and Dangerous, Hallouminatti, Gros Cochon, the list goes on. It’s always a beautiful mystery. Just like Scorpio, illusive and intense. Scorpio is an almost ice-like water sign ruled by Mars. As we see with the weekly special, you know there’s something great and powerful within the icy walls of Scorpio but you don’t know what it is yet. Scorpio likes to build anticipation, the elephant in a smoke-filled room waiting until just the right time to reveal itself.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21) – Cardiac Cajun

I had to save the wildest for Sagittarius. This sandwich is all smoke, bang, and heat combined! Fried jumbo shrimp and crawfish boiled sausage lay on a bed of lettuce and tomato topped with ooey gooey pepper-jack cheese and pepper-jelly. The beautiful combination of sweet and spicy takes you on a wild journey. Sagittarius, a fire sign ruled by Jupiter, loves chaos and expansion. Just like Sagittarius, this poboy will awaken your senses like a wildfire of flavor! This is one sandwich I get often and highly recommend.

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19) – Jack Special

And now we go from wild to practical and thorough. That’s what you get with the Jack Special. It starts off with a classic sandwich base of turkey, ham, lettuce, and tomato and then kicks up a notch with smoked Gouda and roast beef. Capricorn also believes in a strong, traditional foundation to grow from. It’s the CEO of the zodiac, an earth sign ruled by Saturn. This sign stays faithful to its roots so it can branch out in strength and glory. Capricorn, ruling over the bones, sticks to the structure of tradition while recognizing what details could use an upgrade.

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18) – Big Frite-A

Named after the Queen of New Orleans Bounce, Big Freedia (also an Aquarius), the Big Frite-A poboy is here to stand out and break barriers! Homestyle fries are drowned in gravy and covered in melted smoked Gouda on fresh langlinais bread and mayo. That’s right! While most sandwiches have a protein as its main star, Big Frite-A chooses to be different, just like Aquarius! This air sign, represented by the water bearer, is ruled by Saturn. Aquarius prefers to think outside the box and dare to do what hasn’t been done before. Humanitarian at its core, this sign has a knack for seeing how great things could be in a way that others simply can’t or refuse to see. Just like Aquarius, Big Frite-A is paving the way for non-traditional poboys!

Pisces (Feb 19 - March 20) - Boudreaux

One bite of the Boudreaux will have you feeling like you’re on a boat in the middle of the gulf, contemplating the vastness and beauty of the ocean. Juicy buttermilk fried catfish is topped with tangy blue cheese coleslaw and pickled okra tartar sauce. You can taste the ocean in every bite. This blend of cajun spice and tangy blue cheese is almost dreamlike and deep, just like Pisces. This water sign is ruled by Neptune, the planet of dreams, and represented by the fish. Pisces is strongly in tune with the inner world. It’s power that you can feel but can’t clearly define because it has yet to surface. To try to know Pisces is like trying to know the ocean. You must swim deep within the subconscious of dreams and inner knowing, as deep as only fish go.