Mississippi's Food is a savoury journey like no other!
The authentic flavour of Mississippi begins with unforgettable food. From sophisticated Southern fine dining to home comfort food and spicy one-of-a-kind dishes, there's something for every taste! Savour the journey and you'll definitely be back for an extra helping! Don't leave until you try...
Burgers and Slugburgers
Corinth, Mississippi, is home to a famous sandwich with a funny name. First created during the Great Depression when it cost a mere nickel - or a 'slug' - the Slugburger consists of beef plus an extender such as cornmeal or soymeal. The deep fried concoction is still served at the White Trolley Cafe and the Slugburger Cafe in Corinth and celebrated each summer at the local Slugburger Festival.
Or try a savoury 'Smash Burger' at Neon Pig in Tupelo or Oxford, Mississi. The patty made with filet mignon, New York strip and bacon was named the best burger in America by Thrillist.com.
Crawfish
Crawfish is king of spring and a seasonal seafood superstar! Taranto's Crawfish House in Biloxi specialises in this mothwatering 'mudbug' with options ranging from po-boys to classic boiled crawfish with a spicy kick. The waterfront grounds of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi are home the annual Crawfish Music Festival each spring, combining performances by national artists with plenty of boiled crawfish in a casual carnival atmosphere.
Fans swear by the seamed crawfish platter at Crawdad's in Merigold, which treats the crawfish like the mini lobster it resembles.
Fried Chicken
You'll find a hearty helping of Southern comfort food at Mama Hamil's in Madison where the bountiful buffet is highlighted by dishes including a family-recipe fried chicken that keeps customers loyal and hungry for more! The Old Country Store in the tiny town of Lorman dishes out its own wow-worthy chicken inside an authentic former general store. Jackson soul food restuarant Bully's won a James Beard Award as one of 'America's Classics' and its perfectly crisp fried chicken is only one of a million delicious reasons why.
Tamales
Something spicy is going on in Mississippi, where hot tamales are as popular and traditional as they are south of the border. There's even an official Hot Tamale Trail created by Southern Foodways Alliance to highlight these hot spots.
At Hicks Famous Hot Tamales in Clarksdale, Eugene Hicks uses a half-century-old secret recipe to handcraft his tamales, Airport Grocery in Cleveland opened more than 25-years ago with a mission of honouring the region's tamale tradition and diners say the hand-rolled recipe is a hit.
For nearly 30-years, patrons have packed into Fat Mama's Tamales in Natchez for award-winning cornhusk-wrapped tamales and signature 'Knock-You-Naked' margaritas.
Dive into Doris' Hot Tamales in D'Iberville, a tiny roadside stand serving up unforgettable family recipy tamales since 1976.
Sweet Tea
There's no better way to cool off on a warm Southern day than with a tall glass of sweet iced tea - a Southern classic - and the tea at the Brookhaven and McComb eatery Broma's Deli is tops - according to voters in a Mississippi Magazine poll.
In Tupelo, you can be sure you'll find a great glass of sweet tea at the restaurant that put the drink in its name, Sweet Tea & Biscuits Cafe, a family operation focussing on offering Southern favourites.
Coffee Break
An espresso bar housed in an 1886 cabin attracts coffee connoisseurs to Steampunk Coffee Roasters in Natchez, home to a massive Italian copper espresso maker that inspired the hotspot's name. Carefully crafted cups of award-winning coffee, combined with goodies from an in-house pastry chef, make 929 Coffee Bar in Starkville much more than a java joint.
Downtown Cleveland is home to Mississippi Grounds, where caffeine lovers get their fill of favourite specialty coffee drinks like the 'Cotton Boll' inside a building that was once a service station.
Brunch It Up
James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur John Currence's Big Bad Breakfast in Oxford takes morning mealtime to a whole new level, with savoury sensations like the Creole hash. Seasonal breakfast dishes are served with a side of Southern hospitality and made-from-scratch biscuits to die for at The Gathering within the Livingston Mercantile in Flora.
Brunch is a symphony of fine flavours at The Chimneys in Gulfport, where every brunch entree, from classic Eggs Benedict to Trout and Eggs Sardou, served with a glass of Champagne befitting the elegant atmosphere. Standout savoury and sweet entrees, all made with ingredients sourced from nearby farms, make Restaurant Tyler in Starksville a memorable Sunday brunch destination.
Desserts To Die For
The Crystal Grill in Greenwood serves mile-high meringue pies, drawing diners from all around the world. Stub's Restaurant in Yazoo City has perfected the chocolate chess pie, with a flavour sinfully sweet!
Fine Fare Favourites