I knew something was up when we were asked if we wanted to turn our sandwich into a Po' Boy for $1 extra.

"That means on a baguette, right?"
"Well they all have a baguette."
"So isn't already a Po'Boy?"
"Well a Po'Boy means we put coleslaw on it."
"..."

Besides the grave inaccuracies surrounding what a Po'Boy is or isn't, Lou Dawg's Southern Sandwiches (589 King St West, Toronto, ON) is a decent stop for a bite - minus the fuss. But, contrary to their menu, don't get too excited, they don't have Po'Boys.

In the vein of many Tdot BBQ shops, Lou Dawg's only difference is that the BBQ is available only on a sandwich. While the delivery is different, the taste is the same - slow cooked pork and brisket inspired by Southern BBQ without the Southern soul. It's tasty, don't get me wrong. I did enjoy my sandwich, but that classic Southern sammy with the crusty shell and silken soft crumb, dressed with all the good stuff - was missing.

Don't get me wrong, for what Daryl D'Souza and chef Sean Smith have been able to build, it is the perfect post drinks haunt in the middle of the Douchery Distrik or lunch counter stop over. But true fans of Po'Boys and other Southern sandwiches will be disappointed.

While it isn't smoked, the best stop for slow cooked sandwiches in the city is still, in my opinion, Black Camel. Their brisket sandwich cannot be matched. Alternatively, Reggie's Old Fashioned Sandwiches only a few shops East of Lou Dawg's has a very respectable pulled pork sandwich, on a crusty bun that is MASSIVE. With a drink, it'll cost about $10.

The sides at Lou Dawg's were a little over priced. A $5 large fries is a suitable serving for one. The Yukon Gold potatoes were fluffy, with a good cajun seasoning on them - The fries were pretty damn tasty. But, $5 fries? Yukon Golds are not frying potatoes, they never were and they never will be. Unlike Smoke's Poutinery (Who also use Yukon Golds), Sean Smith has coaxed the maximum amount of fryability out of these bad boys. I just wish there were more in a large serving.

The coleslaw? It wasn't for me. The sauce was slightly curdled - I thought there was tahini sauce in it at first. The addition of dried cranberries and sunflower seeds didn't really add anything to it. It didn't really have any determinable flavour - eh. It won't offend you, if that's the experience you're going for.

All this really confirms, is that, you go to Lou Dawg's for the sammies. Don't go expecting a spot that channels real Southern sandwiches, because that's not what you will find. You will, however, find a clean, relaxed, sandwich bar with a decent product that's marginally pricier then other locals. Of course, you can't have a spot in the Douchery without Sleaman's and Mike's Hard on the menu - no Grey Goose bottle service found here.

I probably won't be seeking out Lou Dawg's again to scratch any cravings. It wasn't bad, but it didn't blow my mind.

Atmosphere = Cool
Price = $30 for two (2 sandwiches, 2 pops, large fries & coleslaw)
Rating = 6 out of 10
Return Visit = Prolly Not.