Whisper it – because we don’t want the throngs queueing at the stalls at nearby Kingston market place to find out – but the bona fide ‘street food’ is actually about 20 yards away. Tucked in a side alley leading down to the river, Poor Boys has been styled like a fisherman’s shack, all lightly painted wood, corrugated iron, faded posters and hanging lobster pots.
The food is about as good a version as you can get of the New Orleans staple (better known as a ‘po’ boy’) without having to take a flight, but if you think all that’s available is a chunky sub you’d be wrong. Yes, the classic option is, of course, available, but the overly generous fillings-slash-toppings of shrimp, pork, chicken and steak (to name a few) can also be ordered over a base of triple-cooked fries, extremely cheesy mac and cheese, or just a salad. Having a Cajun theme means there’s plenty of shellfish on the menu too.
Owned by two enthusiastic brothers and backed by equally passionate staff, a banging soundtrack and regular ‘offers nights’, it seems Mardi Gras has found a permanent home in an unlikely part of the capital. In fact, the only thing to warn you about is the wait.