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Leatha's Bar-B-Que Inn |
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Weidmann's |
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Jocelyn's |
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White Cap Seafood Restaurant |
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Borrello's Restaurant |
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A NOTE TO OUR READERS:
"Our Favorite Regional Restaurants" is from the Favorites 2005 issue of Southern Living.
CLARKSDALE
Abe's Bar-B-Q (Barbecue): 616 North State Street; (662) 624-9947. Located at the legendary crossroads of Highway 49 and 61, this popular barbecue joint not only smokes up some of the
best pork and beef around, their tamales aren't bad either. Lunch, dinner.
Chamoun's Rest Haven (Ethnic Standout): 419 South State Street; (662) 624-8601. This old-style diner serves everything from a ham and cheese omelet to chicken-fried steak; the real
gems, however, are the Lebanese specialties such as stuffed grape leaves, cabbage rolls, and kibbie. Breakfast, lunch, dinner (closed Sunday).
Hick's World Famous Hot Tamales & More (Regional Specialty): 305 South State Street; (662) 624-9887. They say their tamales are "world famous," which just might be right judging by
the number of celebrities who've both stopped in and secretly used their convenient drive-through window over the years. Lunch, dinner (closed Sunday).
Madidi (Contemporary Southern): 164 Delta Avenue; (662) 627-7770 or www.madidires.com. Co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman, this white tablecloth-establishment combines
contemporary Southern food with an elegant atmosphere. The Petite Filets of Beef come with butter-poached lobster tail, saffron aïoli, and mashed potato gratin. Dinner (closed Sunday-Monday;
reservations recommended).
CLEVELANDAirport Grocery (Regional Specialty): 3442 Highway 8 West; (662) 843-4817. Pop into this popular lunch spot for a plate of their spicy, slightly salty tamales served with ketchup and a
basket of saltine crackers. Lunch, dinner.
Delta Fast Foods (Regional Specialty): 701 South Davis Avenue; (662) 846-8800. You'll know you've arrived at this humble gas station when you see the "Shuck Lickin' Good" sign. Stop in
and grab a dozen or two tamales to go. Lunch, dinner (closed Sunday).
John's Homestyle Hot Tamales (Regional Specialty): 402 South Street; (662) 843-2463. Keep a sharp lookout for this tiny cabin of a tamale shop. Aside from terrific fried fish, this drive
through-only restaurant serves hearty tamales which are, as they claim, "good to the last bite." Lunch, dinner (closed Sunday).
KC's Restaurant (Contemporary Southern): U.S. 61 North at First Street; (662) 843-5301 or www.kcsrestaurant.com. This award-winning oasis of fine dining has impressed diners from
all over the world. With a wine selection that's second to none and a menu that rivals the top rooms in the country, KC's falls squarely into the "worth the splurge" category. Fresh daily specials
can range from crawfish and leek ravioli to crispy Gulf oysters. Lunch (Monday-Friday), dinner (Monday-Saturday).
CORINTHDilworth's Tamales (Regional Specialty): 111 Taylor Street; (662) 665-0833. Tamales at this drive-through have reached legendary status. Cash only. Lunch, dinner.
GREENVILLEDoe's Eat Place (Steaks & Such): 502 Nelson Street; (662) 334-3315. The steaks and tamales fight for attention at this austere, cinder block grocery store-turned-steak house. There's
no menu, and you eat at folding tables covered with a vinyl tablecloth. A true Delta landmark, Doe's serves everything from an almost surreal 4-pound sirloin to pencil-size, parchment
paper-wrapped tamales--the more adventurous order them topped with chili. Dinner (closed Sunday).
GREENWOODGiardina's (Steaks & Such): 314 Howard Street; (662) 455-4227. One of the Delta's oldest and most historic restaurants, relocated to the fashionable Alluvian Hotel in downtown
Greenwood in 2003. Be sure to request one of the 14 private booths (a Prohibition-era holdover), which, once the curtains are drawn, create an intimate setting. Dinner (closed Sunday;
reservations recommended).
HATTIESBURGLeatha's Bar-B-Que Inn (Barbecue): 6374 U.S. 98 West; (601) 271-6003 or www.leathas.com. The same cooks have been churning out barbecue for 30 years at this local legend. Everything
is memorable, from the rickety tables with crooked chairs to the tomato-based sauce, made from a recipe known only by Leatha Jackson and her daughters. Lunch, dinner (closed Sunday-Monday).
JACKSON
Hickory Pit (Barbecue): 1491 Canton Mart Road; (601) 956-7079. Great barbecue, especially the pork sandwiches and ribs. Some regulars prefer the hamburgers, said to be the best in
town. Lunch, dinner (closed Sunday).
Shimmel's Fine Dining (Contemporary Southern): 2615 North State Street; (601) 981-7077 or www.schimmelsrestaurant.com. We dream about the homemade potato chips, soaked in
vinegar, covered with sea salt, and served with a warm blue cheese dipping sauce. For a new twist on a Southern classic, try the stuffed fried chicken Florentine, marinated and deep fried to
perfection. Lunch, dinner (closed Sunday).
MERIDIANWeidmann's (Contemporary Southern): 210 22nd Avenue; (601) 581-5770. Anyone who loved the Formica atmosphere and standard crocks of peanut butter on the tables will likely gasp at
the change in this revamped classic. The face-lift began several years ago. It brought white tablecloths and cuisine that often includes such items as braised rabbit served in Cabernet with
kalamata olives and quail grits. The crocks of peanut butter are gone, but the memory lives on in the Peanut Butter Crock Martini--made with Godiva chocolate liqueur, peanut butter, vanilla ice
cream, and an edible chocolate spoon. Lunch (Monday-Friday), dinner (Tuesday-Saturday).
MISSISSIPPI GULF COASTAunt Jenny's (Catfish): 1217 Washington Avenue, Ocean Springs; (228) 875-9201 or www.coastseafood.com. Order the catfish and you'll get a plate piled high with the curled little
fillets, perfect for finger food. The fried chicken, cooked to order, tastes like home-fried. Lunch (Friday-Sunday), dinner.
Note: This article has been updated on October 31, 2005. At this time, we are unable to reach this business (or homeowner) after Hurricane Katrina. Please contact us if you have any information regarding its status.
Harbor View Cafe (Seafood): 105 West Beach Blvd. (U.S. 90); Pass Christian; (228) 452-3901. You'll find more shrimp than sandwich in this po'boy. Breakfast, lunch, dinner (Closed
Tuesday, closes 3 p.m. Sunday and Monday).
Jocelyn's (Seafood): U.S. 90 East, Ocean Springs; (228) 875-1925. Bayou delicacies include fried crab claws and fried soft-shell crab. Popular with locals, the place is only open for
dinner Wednesday through Saturday, and reservations are taken only for parties of six or more. No credit cards, so take cash or a check.
Note: This article has been updated on October 31, 2005. At this time, we are unable to reach this business (or homeowner) after Hurricane Katrina. Please contact us if you have any information regarding its status.
Steve's Marina Restaurant (Seafood): 213 East Beach Blvd., Long Beach; (228) 864-8988. Begin with an appetizer of fried green tomatoes topped with lump crabmeat in a hollandaise
sauce with Parmesan cheese. If that doesn't fill you up, order the Eggplant Pirogue, a breaded, deep-fried eggplant boat filled with shrimp and crabmeat and topped with an Alfredo sauce. Lunch,
dinner.
Note: This article has been updated on October 31, 2005. At this time, we are unable to reach this business (or homeowner) after Hurricane Katrina. Please contact us if you have any information regarding its status.
White Cap Seafood Restaurant (Seafood): Gulfport Small Craft Harbor, Gulfport; (228) 863-4652. Don't even bother to look at the menu. This place has the best cornmeal-coated fried
oysters on U.S. 90. These plump, perfectly seasoned morsels are not the least bit greasy. They have a way with fried shrimp too. Lunch, dinner (closed Tuesday).
OXFORDBouré (Catfish): 309 North Lamar Blvd.; (662) 234-1968. Named for a Louisiana card game, this place is laid back and family friendly. Adults go for the fried pork tenderloin sandwich,
fiery chicken wings, and crispy fried crawfish tails. Lunch, dinner (closed Sunday).
ROSEDALEWhite Front Café (Regional Specialty): 902 Main Street; (662) 759-3842. This white, wood-framed building is the tabernacle of tamales. Many consider these spicy little gems the best in
the Delta. Be aware, however, the hours of operation are spotty, so call ahead to make sure it's open (closed Sunday-Monday).
TAYLORTaylor Grocery Restaurant (Catfish): 4 County Road 338; (662) 236-1716. Some of the most succulent catfish fillets around are served in this rickety old grocery store near Oxford.
Lunch (Monday-Friday), dinner (Thursday-Sunday).
VICKSBURG
Borrello's Restaurant (Ethnic Standout): 1302 Washington Street; (601) 638-0169 or www.borrellos.com. Owners Charlie and Holly Borrello brings their Sicilian heritage and New
Orleans upbringing to the kitchen. Try the Shrimp Creole or the traditional veal parmigiana. Lunch, dinner.
Walnut Hills Restaurant (Traditional Southern): 1214 Adams Street; (601) 638-4910 or www.walnuthillsms.net. You'll go dizzy with the platefuls of meats and veggies that spin on the
lazy Susan tables. Lunch includes an à la carte menu or a Blue Plate, with one meat, three vegetables, iced tea, and dessert. Lunch, dinner (closed Saturday, lunch only on Sunday).
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