Sampling the Food Along the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Some come for the casinos.

Some come for the quaint small towns.

Some come for the history.

But one thing all of these travelers have in common is that they also come for the epicurean experience found along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

And they don’t leave disappointed.

From upscale to local fare options, the area is making a name for itself as a southern culinary destination.

So if you find yourself in the area for a weekend or longer, there are a few places that should be on your dining itinerary.

Dine among art, antiques and other goodies at Lulu’s “What’s for Lunch” in Bay St. Louis. The eclectic setting doesn’t take away from the food; in fact, in a way it adds to it. Selections on the menu include everything from shrimp remoulade salad to “lululetta” to roast beef po’ boy on French bread to eggplant panini. A dish they are known for is the chicken salad with seasoned crackers, both homemade. Of course the meal isn’t complete with dessert in the form of brownie topped with homemade ice cream.

Situated in one of the oldest homes in America, Mary Mahoney’s Old French House (travel guide) in Biloxi is anything but stuffy. Once you’re inside, you are immediately taken by warm, intimate atmosphere. Dining here is very similar to dining at someone’s home. Be sure to take some time and explore the restaurant, where you see numerous photos of the many celebrities and politicians that have enjoyed a meal here, as well as various portraits of Mary Mahoney. As for the menu, you find ample steak and seafood selections. I highly recommend beginning your meal with the fried crab claws, just one of the appetizer you can select. And you can’t leave until after you finish all of your bread pudding.

There’s nothing confusing about Confusion (travel guide) in Gulfport. Now that the really bad, obvious joke is out of the way, let’s focus on the restaurant itself. Words like “trendy,” “unique,” and “imaginative” can be overused at times, but those three words truly and honestly fit the description of Confusion. From the artwork to the music to the overall setting to the martini menu, it all works together to provide you with a dining experience quite not like anything else on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. And this sentiment includes the dishes on the menu as well. By all means, order a couple of appetizers to kick off the evening. Pomme frites, tuna tartar and calamari are all a good start. However, you do want to leave some room for your entree and dessert. Yes, dessert, which either be in a liquid form (German Chocolate martini) or chewable form (crème brulee or ‘pot of chocolate’ with a cayenne pepper kick.)

McElroy’s on the Bayou (travel guide) in Ocean Springs is one of those restaurants that everyone has been to at least once and recommends to everyone who is visiting the area. Serving lunch and dinner, with ample selections of seafood dishes, you definitely want to try their breakfast. Menu items include the usual (omelets, combo plates, etc.), however to really get your morning started – go for the beignets, which are as about as good as you can get roughly 50 miles east of New Orleans.

Did You Know…

Yeah, so you’re on the coast and surrounded by great Gulf seafood, yet you crave a good hamburger, possibly with a twist. Well, you’re in luck. The hamburger po’ boy at Blow Fly Inn (travel guide) in Gulfport was recently recognized in USA Today’s 51 Great Burger Joints.

The author had meals at the above restaurants during a media trip; the opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author.

Photo credit: (top right) Lump crab meat salad at Mary Mahoney’s Old French Restaurant in Biloxi; (middle left) Homemade chicken salad with homemade seasoned crackers at Lulu’s What’s for Lunch in Bay St. Louis; (bottom right) ‘Pot of Chocolate’ at Confusion in Gulfport