O/T Meridian Sucks

[T-TownDawgg]

Shall a decent lunch be found? Tried several local spots and all sucked. Real close to saying 17 it and going to Outback. Haven't tried Wiedemanns; figured it's a tourist trap.

Ironically, a poster with the handle MeridianDog seems like a culinary genius.

 

[Forever.Maroon.White]

Have you tried News up in Broadmoor? I haven't eaten there in years, but it used to be my favorite place for lunch. And you are correct -- Meridian is suckier every time I go back.

 

[qball.sixpack]

Damn TTown —u giving MDN too much cred! No chance there’s any tourist traps—ha! Weidmann’s is legit. Go ahead bud!

 

[qball.sixpack]

The Thai place down the street from there is bangin’ too!

 

[AFDawg]

I like Wiedemanns a lot.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Weidmann’s has good lunches.

 

[tenureplan]

Have you tried News up in Broadmoor? I haven't eaten there in years, but it used to be my favorite place for lunch. And you are correct -- Meridian is suckier every time I go back.

Second news, it's a dump, but good food

 

[Miketice]

Any one remember that grill...

Shall a decent lunch be found? Tried several local spots and all sucked. Real close to saying 17 it and going to Outback. Haven't tried Wiedemanns; figured it's a tourist trap.

Ironically, a poster with the handle MeridianDog seems like a culinary genius.

Red Hot I think. Used to meet a dude for breakfast that moved furniture worked at meek moving and storage ( allied I think) . ****** food . Good company

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

You lived to tell the tale. Consider that a good Meridian dining experience.

 

[Rupert Jenkins]

O'Charlies is good. McAlisters is decent. Olive Garden isn't bad.

 

[punterjoe]

O'Charlies is good. McAlisters is decent. Olive Garden isn't bad.[/QUOTE

I thought O'Charlies closed.

Mugshots if I'm in Meridian for lunch. Mr Rodgers Hamburgers used to be pretty good.

 

[Dawg1976]

Weidman's has good lunches. The new location for Jeans is decent. No relation to Jeanspage.

 

[MeridianDog]

Thanks, but culinary genius is pushing it much too far.

If you have not been to Weidmann's, you missed a real nice place to eat.

Meridian Places to Eat:

Weidmann’s – 210 22nd Avenue – Old established upscale dining
Sake Sushi – 103 S. Frontage Road – Sushi, Japanese, Habachi
Takrai Thai – 6661 North Hills
La Pinata – 814 18th Avenue S. - Mexican
San Marco’s – 701 H-19 N. – Mexican
Las Fuentes – 1690 Bonita Lakes Circle – Mexican
El Norte – 1209 22nd Avenue – Mexican
Outback Steakhouse – 111 South Frontage Road
Logan’s Roadhouse – 108 H-80 and H-11

Rustler Steakhouse – 5915 Old Highway 80 W. – Steaks (evenings only)
D.T. Grinders Restaurant and Bar – 1600 24th Avenue – Sandwiches, Fish, Steaks and stuff
Mimo Restaurant – 2100 Front Street - Italian, Mediterranean -
Buffalo Wild Wings – 114 H-11 and H-80 E – wings
Mugshots Grill and Bar – 5005 H-493 – Burgers and Beer
Squealer – 4805 29th Avenue – BBQ, Ribs, Rings, Burgers and Beer
Rib Shack – 818 18th Avenue – Ribs, BBQ and smoked meat
Dickey’s BBQ – 102 S. Frontage Road – BBQ Chain
Cracker Barrel – 118 H-11 and H-80 – Plate Food Chain
Chili’s – 105 S Frontage Road – burgers and stuff Chain
Krystal – 522 H-19 – Sliders
Seafood Express – 2200 H-39 - Gas Station Vietnamese Dive with great seafood Po Boys
Seafood and Chicken Express – 3010 8th Street – Same as Seafood express
Popeye’s - 828 H-19
Popeye’s – 700 Bonita Lakes Drive
Red Lobster – 201 South Frontage Road

McAlister Deli – 4909 27th Place
McAlister Deli – 534 Bonita Lakes Circle
Newk’s Eatery – 103 S. Frontage Road – Deli, Salads, Pizza
Dobi’s Ragin Cajun – 4900 Poplar Springs Drive
Brickhouse Bar and Grill – 2206 Front Street – Beer, Bar and bar food

KFC, Burger King, Wendy’s McDonalds, Bla Bla Bla


We were at News one night talking about how dirty the place was and a roach came out from underneath the table and crawled across a plate. I know lots of people eat there, but I stood, left the money for the meal on the table and have not been back. Rant over.

 

[Meridian Dawg]

I know, I know, Meridian is absolutely trash. I'm counting down the days until I can get out of here. As far as lunch spots goes, Weidmanns is great, and don't worry about it being a tourist trap, ITS 17ing MERIDIAN. Jean's is great, Mimo's is a great italian spot, Harvest Grill is solid but I'm not sure about their hours. But I can't help but ask, why in the 17 are you here?? Get out while you can!

 

[Maroon Eagle]

I forgot Mimmo’s has a place in Meridian now.

I’ve been to their Laurel location a few times. They’ve got some nice Italian food.

I seriously doubt I’ll ever eat at the original Mimmo’s in Quitman.

 

[BluffParkDawg]

Best thing about Meridian is it is close enough to drive 30 minutes to enterprise for some catfish and coleslaw at Long’s. My parents swear by the Rustler, but i have never been.

Grew up in Meridian, but haven’t lived there since i left for State in 97. When i go back, i am usually eating at my Mamaw’s, and it can’t be beat.

But yeah, it gets worse everytime i visit. Depressing, actually.

 

[MStateU]

If I’m eating lunch in meridian area

Weidmans
Harvest grill
Caters market (pecan grape chicken salad sandwich on croissant. Try it)


Meat and 3

Jeans
Checkerboard (big buffet)
Queen City truck stop (I know...)
Piggly wiggly Collinsville


That’s it. Not great but

 

[Drebin]

The Cracker Barrel in Meridian is bangin'. Make sure you lock your car.

 

[BigMotherTucker]

I live here... It sucks. It makes me sad at how bad things have gotten here. The homeless population is booming. The city needs to pave EVERY road. The mall is a ghost town with empty stores. No businesses survive here. The schools... Dear god the schools. My job at the base is the only thing that keeps us here.

 

[Dawg1976]

Good list but there is no Longhorn that I know of.....

 

[The Situation]

I live here... It sucks. It makes me sad at how bad things have gotten here. The homeless population is booming. The city needs to pave EVERY road. The mall is a ghost town with empty stores. No businesses survive here. The schools... Dear god the schools. My job at the base is the only thing that keeps us here.

It's sad because it doesn't have to suck. There is potential and the downtown has good bones. But it is what it is. If I understand correctly, most people around there live out in the County now and just hunt and fish like most other Mississippi small towns. Depressing, because like I said the location is good, but for whatever reason it just stagnates.

Unfortunately, the terrible decision was made to locate MSU in Starkville back in the day and that was that. Meridian could absolutely be booming if MSU had been there.

Good news is, the hotel scene seems to have gotten better and they make a lot of money off Alabama home games.

 

[msudawg12]

We definitely are in somewhat of a restaurant desert. But if you're eating here, these would be my recommendations.

Lunch
"nicer" places
Harvest Grill
Weidmanns

Meat & 3's
Queen City Truck Stop - get over the mindset you have about a truck stop. Its really pretty damn good
Binke's - if you're willing to go into a part of town that no one from out of town would go, you will enjoy her cooking.
Jeans - different people than old one. solid


Sandwich/Salad
Deli on 5th – decent deli, nothing special
Caters Market – decent sandwich place, nothing special

Newks (of course, and the only chain I’ll put on here)

Other
Mimmos – stellar pizza, pastas, etc. Wish he was open for dinner. Hes had trouble finding enough quality of staff to expand hours.
Sake Sushi – wont blow your socks off but solid sushi for MS
Ta Krai – another Thai place this is solid
Aie’s Taste of Thai – just good Thai food



Dinner
1 - The Rustler (honestly one of the better steaks in MS, especially once they changed a few things about a year ago. Dont get scared when you go there. you'll be safe and wont regret it)
Harvest Grill - Always solid. wont blow you away but good. Keep an eye on specials as he does some cool stuff (elk chops, etc).
Weidmanns - Still dont know how they manage to pull off a menu with so much stuff on it and most of it be solid. Good Steak/Seafood/all around

Aie’s Taste of Thai – just good Thai food
Faraway Places – Crazy Thai place in Marion. Might take FOREVER but the food is good
Ta Krai – another Thai place this is solid

 

[GoodPadLevel]

When we lived in Meridian in the 80's there was a really good steakhouse called Old Farm that we liked. On the topic of the town, we really liked it when we lived there but my wife went back there a couple of years ago and said driving through it was scary. That's a shame.

 

[BigMotherTucker]

Old Farm Beef House is where old people go to eat cheap steak at 5pm. You are right though.. It was good back in the 80s. Now... Not so much.

 

[was21]

Is it worse than Vicksburg now

 

[MeridianDog]

Good list but there is no Longhorn that I know of.....

Sorry. Not sure why that was there. I corrected it.

 

[PearlRiverCoDawg]

Harvest grill is great.

 

[fishwater99]

Great NYC Pizza..

https://www.nickandals.com/

 

[T-TownDawgg]

Thanks to all for the HG recommendation, had the Ahi Club, best sammich I've had in a while. Nice menu, will be back.

 

[40 acres and a mule]

It's sad because it doesn't have to suck. There is potential and the downtown has good bones. But it is what it is. If I understand correctly, most people around there live out in the County now and just hunt and fish like most other Mississippi small towns. Depressing, because like I said the location is good, but for whatever reason it just stagnates.

Unfortunately, the terrible decision was made to locate MSU in Starkville back in the day and that was that. Meridian could absolutely be booming if MSU had been there.

Good news is, the hotel scene seems to have gotten better and they make a lot of money off Alabama home games.

The same thing that happened to Jackson has happened to Meridian, but on a smaller scale. No one wants live, visit, or do business in a place where you may get robbed, stabbed, or shot at any time.

 

[Meridian Dawg]

It is very sad what has happened to Meridian, but our corrupt city government has done it to themselves. The mayor just sits on his hands, while handing out moneybags and sleeping around. Our CAO is right there with him. There needs to be a major power change before anything is even going to start to get better. Luckily, the Culpable podcast has shed national light on just what goes on in our crooked town, and there probably will be a power change when our next mayoral election happens in 2020. If you have ever lived in Meridian, you absolutely need to listen to that podcast.

 

[T-TownDawgg]

It's been a while, but I was shocked how bad downtown was outside of about 2 blocks. Your City's leaders should be horse whipped.

 

[Palos verdes]

Haven't tried Wiedemanns; figured it's a tourist trap.

Meridian has tourists?

 

[MeridianDog]

New Arts Museum "The Max"
Denzel Carousel.
Riley Center.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Yep. Giving serious consideration to seeing Bruce Hornsby perform at the Riley in March.

Lyle Lovett isn’t chopped liver either— and he’s there in February.

 

[Dawg1976]

Glad you mentioned Hornsby. I may go see him too.

As far as Meridian sucking goes, yes the city has been run by a lot of morons over the years. But on the positive side the hotel industry has done well over the years. Meridian has always been a good stopping off point for travelers and restaurants have grown as a result. Healthcare is good for a city it's size. And the downtown area has made progress with the Riley Center, MSU Business school, The Max(Arts & Entertainment Center), the revitalization of the Three Foot building(Marriott Hotel) and also the addition of condos & apartments in the area. But no doubt, there has been no growth industry wise and that's a shame. Schools within the city are poor. As in a lot of cities, the wealthier families have moved in the surrounding areas and those schools are mostly good. The Meridian Public schools are left with the rest.

Meridian simply needs industries to come and for that to happen good leadership is required. It's unlikely I will see many changes in my lifetime.

 

[DawgInThe256]

If Popeye's makes the cut, then Raising Cane's should be there too.