OT: Metro Jackson Food

[dawgphd]

Need you gentlemen's help.

I have a close friend from California coming to town this week and need suggestions where to take him for local flavor.

He has dined at 5 stars around the world so not necessarily the best of Jackson but the best examples of Mississippi and the Southern flavors that can be found.

Thanks in advance.

 

[civildawg88]

I don’t know if these are the best, but some of my favorites. Kiefers, trace grill, primos, Hamils for lunch. For more upscale dinner I like elys or walkers

 

[dawgman42]

The best steak I've ever had in my life--on three separate occasions--came from Shapley's, even though I've had other high dollar "must have" steaks in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and everywhere in Texas where I am now.

 

[sandwolf.sixpack]

If you're looking for a good steak, you can't go wrong with Tico's, Ely's or Shapley's. I'd probably go with Tico's because it has more of a unique, relaxed atmosphere for an upscale restaurant.....Ely's and Shapley's are pretty standard white table cloth, 'proper' feeling restaurants. Walker's is unique and has a lot of character. Amerigo is hard to beat. Agree with the Kiefer's recommendation.

 

[Kojak.sixpack]

Shapleys, Lou’s and Manship.

Need you gentlemen's help.

I have a close friend from California coming to town this week and need suggestions where to take him for local flavor.

He has dined at 5 stars around the world so not necessarily the best of Jackson but the best examples of Mississippi and the Southern flavors that can be found.

Thanks in advance.

Shapleys isn’t just steaks. Claws, tamales and the best salad dressing I’ve ever had (the peppercorn).

Lou’s is my go to lunch spot. So, so good. I haven’t been for dinner. Fries green tomatoes and the blue crab cakes.

Stevo is killing it at Manship. Fresh local veggies and all sorts of southern favorites. Short rib and duck wings are a must.

 

[sandwolf.sixpack]

The best steak I've ever had in my life--on three separate occasions--came from Shapley's, even though I've had other high dollar "must have" steaks in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and everywhere in Texas where I am now.

Yea, there are very few restaurants anywhere that make a better steak than Shapley's, Ely's and Tico's.

 

[She Mate Me]

Need you gentlemen's help.

I have a close friend from California coming to town this week and need suggestions where to take him for local flavor.

He has dined at 5 stars around the world so not necessarily the best of Jackson but the best examples of Mississippi and the Southern flavors that can be found.

Thanks in advance.

I've found that there are a number of Southern dishes done well at a few places around here that are not commonly done right outside of the South. I'll suggest some dishes and then a few places I think do them well...

Red Beans and Rice - Lou's Full-Serv, Fat Tuesday's
Fried Chicken - Fannin Mart, Mama Hamil's, Rooster's
Soul Food (with proper atmosphere, no tourist BS) - Bully's, Gloria's, Country Kitchen, Mama Hamil's
Gulf Oysters - Drago's (Hell, they created the Charbroiled Oyster and their South LA sourced oysters are top notch), Half Shell
Fried Onion Rings w/ Remoulade - Lou's Full-Serv (best OR's I've ever had), Mayflower Cafe
BBQ - Pig & Pint, Mama Hamil's, Little Willie's
Local Atmosphere - Mayflower Cafe, Brent's Drugs, Walker's
Southern Breakfast - Primos, Brent's, Manship
Fried Catfish - Pick your favorite
Fried Green Tomatoes or Pickles - If he's never had them they are usually a revelation. Lou's maters are outstanding.

ETA I have to include Hamil's under BBQ because I'm pretty sure the first restaurant BBQ I ever had was at her and her husband's first joint called Ossie's Barbecue in the 70's.

 

[DreadNought.sixpack]

Take him to a unique Restaurant with lots a real Mississippi feel and great food: Gibbs Country Store in Learned. About 20 min from Jackson. The food is great along with the atmosphere.

 

[thatsbaseball]

Crawfish at Bill's in Flora. About as local as you can get and damn good.

 

[Bdog9090]

Fondren has a pretty nice wine bar with some pretty good food. It's called Caet. I ate there on Saturday and had a pretty good burger. 50% Angus, 50% Pork Belly with a Jalapenos slaw on it.

 

[dawgstudent]

Hit up Mudbugs on Old Fannin if you want crawfish.

 

[512taylor]

Babalus in Fondren, especially on "Taco Tuesday"

 

[FreeDawg]

I assume you mean high-end since you mention 5-stars... My suggestions would be:
-Shapleys or Ticos for a steakhouse
-Manship House- Alex Eaton is my favorite chef in Jackson at the moment. He gets food. He doesn’t go overboard with ridiculous artsy nonsense. Ex: He won a prestigious seafood comp in Nola w/bbq shrimp.
-Lou’s Full Serve- Every meal I’ve ever had is legit as hell. Outstanding
-Crechales’s- It’s not as high end as the others but it’s a time portal back to 1950. Onion rings for appetizer and either trout almondine or stuffed flounder. Thank me later.

I’m in the food biz in the metro and have been for 19 years. I hear all the gossip about who’s who, who’s legit, where they get their food, etc... I’m not saying others won’t have great advice in these threads but...

ETA- Lunch at Fenians. They have a guy who is a legitimate badass chef. Do not think bar food. I’ve told him his food is too good for a bar and I meant that as a compliment.

 

[Faustdog]

It’s hard to beat the lunches at Saltine, Babalu, and Lou’s. Good local places. The nice dinner should be Shapley’s, Ely’s or Walkers.

Crechales is our go to if someone has a birthday. Just a cool old school place.

Like the other guy said, if you don’t mind the drive you can head out to Learned and eat at Gibbs country store. Take cash and don’t be in a hurry.

Edited to add: The last few times I've been to Tico's have been underwhelming.

 

[Awwhellnaw]

I will never understand the love for Hamils. I've never left that place without immediate diarrhea. Go to Trace Grill instead. Good State folks own it.

Shapleys for steaks. Ticos has been disappointing to me lately. Way too much Bear love in there.

Walker's was great on Valentines but get ready to leave a limb behind.

Lou's and Babalu are solid. I'll add Barrelhouse to the Fondren spots. Tuna nachos were great.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Bully’s did win a James Beard Award so if he’s a food guy who wants a local place with national recognition that would be a good one.

Link: Here

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Agreed. Gibbes is awesome.

Edit to add: Bring cash!

 

[J-Dawg]

Crawfish at Bill's in Flora. About as local as you can get and damn good.

2nded. I've been to just about every place listed thus-far, and some not listed, and Bill's in Flora remains one of my favorites in the area. Everything I've had there was great. Roast Beef Po-boy is probably my favorite outside of NOLA, and the divey atmosphere makes it even better.

 

[J-Dawg]

Blue plate lunch menu at the Gathering in Livingston is also outstanding, especially on Sunday.

ETA: If you only could take him 1 place, I'd take him to Lou's Full Serv. It is absolutely outstanding. If you can take him to 2 places, take him to Bill's in Flora to get a southern/cajun/divey vibe with great food.

 

[seshomoru]

CS's for an Inez Burger and The Country Fisherman for Catfish

Get some crawfish... Mudbugs or that place that isn't a sponsor on Lakeland.

 

[TNT.sixpack]

I'd put Two Rivers in Canton, up against Shapleys or Tico's all day, every day. In fact, I've entertained out of town guests at all 3 and most seem to prefer Two Rivers, including some folks I gave the choice to just this past Friday night. Crab claws are excellent, char grilled oysters and fish is great as well.

 

[Dawg1979]

Take him to a unique Restaurant with lots a real Mississippi feel and great food: Gibbs Country Store in Learned. About 20 min from Jackson. The food is great along with the atmosphere.

Gibbs is unbelievable. Best food around served on paper plates. If u don’t want to drive, Lou’s, Shapleys, or ely’s. Skip Ticos.

 

[Wizard of bulldogery]

I don't get the love for Babalu's. I've yet to have a great experience there. Everyone knows the best tacos comes from some guy selling them out of a truck... especially californians.

 

[Crazy Cotton]

Mayflower - Is it still a going concern? My Wife's grandfather started it but another part of the family bought it about 20 years ago. Hal & Mal's - I had a coworker doing some research in Jackson and he thought this place was the greatest place he'd ever seen. Is Magundies (sic?) still around?

 

[Digging dog]

I dont know what would be more Jackson than a pig ear sandwich at the Big Apple on Ferrish Street. ***

 

[sandwolf.sixpack]

Manship House- Alex Eaton is my favorite chef in Jackson at the moment. He gets food. He doesn’t go overboard with ridiculous artsy nonsense. Ex: He won a prestigious seafood comp in Nola w/bbq shrimp.

He is also a good dude and a good Bulldog.

 

[She Mate Me]

Mayflower - Is it still a going concern? My Wife's grandfather started it but another part of the family bought it about 20 years ago. Hal & Mal's - I had a coworker doing some research in Jackson and he thought this place was the greatest place he'd ever seen. Is Magundies (sic?) still around?

Still putting out plenty of good food with all the issues they've always had. I doubt it will be around when the current old man in charge departs, but still relevant for now to those who like it.

 

[She Mate Me]

I will never understand the love for Hamils. I've never left that place without immediate diarrhea. Go to Trace Grill instead. Good State folks own it.

Shapleys for steaks. Ticos has been disappointing to me lately. Way too much Bear love in there.

Walker's was great on Valentines but get ready to leave a limb behind.

Lou's and Babalu are solid. I'll add Barrelhouse to the Fondren spots. Tuna nachos were great.

I honestly don't love Hamil's, but they do a few things pretty well and it's very representative of the kind of eating out most Southerners do. Didn't sound to me like this fella was going to get his socks knocked off by our best restaurants. They're good, but if we're honest they don't measure up to the best in bigger places (although some of the prices do).

I agree with many here that Lou's is really doing some good stuff. My first choice for now when I'm going to spend some money. I have had service issues a lot at Lou's though. Never rude, just inexperienced or unfocused. I normally don't care, but when you're charging high prices, that needs to get fixed.

 

[She Mate Me]

I don't get the love for Babalu's. I've yet to have a great experience there. Everyone knows the best tacos comes from some guy selling them out of a truck... especially californians.

I'm fine with Babalu but I sure as hell wouldn't take a guy from Cali anywhere in Jackson for Latino food.

 

[KurtRambis4]

Hamil's was way

better in their old building, back in the day.

It just wasn't the same, once they moved into the 20,000 sf building.

 

[FreeDawg]

Good deal. He’s a little younger than me and I heard he’s from across the pond. The other guy was in my youth group growing up and I consider him a quality guy. I don’t think he’d remember who I was if I walked in front of him but I’m very happy for his success. Both those guys.

 

[rem101]

E&L BBQ on Bailey Ave. Fantastic wings.

 

[She Mate Me]

E&L BBQ on Bailey Ave. Fantastic wings.

I gotta try this place. Heard it too many times for it not to be pretty good.

 

[sandwolf.sixpack]

He’s a little younger than me and I heard he’s from across the pond.

You heard who is from across the pond? Alex Eaton? One of his parents is Lebanese, but he was born and raised in Jackson.

 

[FreeDawg]

To us that went to school in Madison Co, across the pond is Rankin Co. Somebody told me he went to NWR. Sorry for the confusion although I did get a chuckle out of it.

 

[coach66]

Eating in the bar booths at Two Rivers is pretty cool.

nm

 

[sandwolf.sixpack]

To us that went to school in Madison Co, across the pond is Rankin Co. Somebody told me he went to NWR. Sorry for the confusion although I did get a chuckle out of it.

Haha, gotcha. And he went to Prep.

 

[John Lorry]

Green Ghost Tacos on County Line Dr. - Best tacos in Jackson by a mile. Try their mole rojo enchiladas and tacos al pastor. They also make fresh salsas in house, the habanero is awesome. Hole in the wall place that is as authentic as it gets in Jackson.

Caet in Fondren - An Emerson restaurant (owners of Walkers, Local 463, Parlor Market), they have small plates and the best wine by the glass program in Jackson. You can try a lot of food and good wine here, and great cocktails.

Saltine in Fondren - Go for oysters. They always have Gulf oysters and usually have basket oysters from Alabama like Murder Points, Mon Louis, and Turtlebacks. The Alabama basket oysters are hands down the best you can get - small, briny and taste like the ocean. Get a couple dozen oysters, wash them down with one of the 20 local beers they have on tap and catch some basketball at the bar. They also have great poboys and brunch (Nashville hot chicken biscuits are especially good at $3 each).

Beatty St. Grocery - Swing by here for breakfast one morning or lunch. They fry eggs on a decades old flattop and pile them on Texas toast breakfast sandwiches with patty sausage, ham, bacon and cheese, and they also make some damn good grits. For lunch, they have a perfect diner cheeseburger that's hard to beat. It's a classic Jackson place.

Mayflower Cafe - This place is also iconic Jackson. Get a good bottle of wine (they are byob) and show up for dinner. The fresh fish is excellent and if your friend hasn't tried comeback sauce, this is the place to try it.

 

[Junction John]

If you want a tasty fatburger, Beatty Street Grocery can't be... beat.

 

[Grisismyhero]

Metro Jackson Food and Hotels

Need you gentlemen's help.

I have a close friend from California coming to town this week and need suggestions where to take him for local flavor.

He has dined at 5 stars around the world so not necessarily the best of Jackson but the best examples of Mississippi and the Southern flavors that can be found.

Thanks in advance.

My I suggest putting your friend up at the new Westin Jackson, S. Congress St. This new hotel is awesome and the Estelle Wine Bar and Bistro has really good food. Short walk to Thalia Mara Hall.