Dining
Some highlights in Montgomery include Cahawba House for their signature biscuits for breakfast before the Civil Rights Memorial; Dreamland BBQ or K&J for something a little more bare bones; and Vintage Year for something more upscale, Southern dining experience.
In Jackson, would try to hit Brent’s old school pharmacy soda fountain, and if you stop in Natchez, Biscuit and Blues.
In Memphis, if you’re BBQ’d out, check out Gus’s Fried Chicken for Memphis’s famous hot fried chicken, and a visit to the Broad Art’s District is complete with breakfast any day of the week, at The Liquor Store.
MONTGOMERY DINING
Martin’s Restaurant | 1796 Carter Hill Road Montgomery, Alabama 36106
*Curbside pickup available Monday – Friday, 11am – 7pm, closed Saturday
A family atmosphere sets apart this Montgomery institution, which has been serving up traditional Southern fare for nearly 80 years. Martin's has relocated a few times since its founding in the late 1930s, retaining a sense of history in its casual space. The meat and three's one of the few remaining places you'll find "pulley bone" listed as a fried chicken option right alongside breast, thigh, liver and leg; that's the succulent section of the chicken around the wishbone. Delve into timeless sides like collards or more idiosyncratic dishes like pineapple-cheese casserole, and don't miss the cornbread.
K & J Rib Shack | 1041 Perry Hill Rd, Montgomery, AL 36109
*Closed Sunday + Monday
As you turn off South Boulevard onto Court Street, keep an eye out for a rusted tin roof, a smoking grill out front and an exterior emblazoned with the hours, menu items and slogan of this modest BBQ joint: "Everything Made Fresh." Pulled pork and chicken are delectably smoky, and ribs come slathered in a rich sauce. If you don't have an invitation to a Southern backyard barbecue, a visit to K&J is how you can still get a true taste.
Vintage Year Restaurant & Bar | 405 Cloverdale Rd, Montgomery, AL 36106
After 30 years in business, the Cloverdale district mainstay closed down in 2014. But 2016 saw the steakhouse revived, with both the interior and the menu getting a serious overhaul. New executive chef Eric Rivera has kept a few of the recipes the restaurant built its reputation on over the decades, but has also introduced a fresh approach to Southern fare. Elegant but unfussy preparations are the name of the game, and Rivera's deft way with seafood is particularly notable, from blackened snapper with field pea succotash to a dish like scallops over crawfish risotto. Tuesday brings a lively burger night, and the restaurant also serves up one of the city's better Sunday brunches.
Near Rosa Parks Museum and Civil Rights Memorial
Cahawba House | 31 S Court Street, Montgomery, AL 36104
*Open for breakfast and lunch Monday – Friday 6:30am – 2:00pm
This downtown Montgomery restaurant only opened in 2017, but it's already gotten a reputation for superlative Southern fare, including a biscuit bar at breakfast. Custom creations start with Cahawba's fluffy $1 biscuits. From there, diners can pile on all sorts of fillings, like scrambled eggs, fried green tomato, sausage gravy, pimento cheese, and meat options such as sausage, bacon or a boneless fried chicken breast.
D’Road Cafe | 121 Montgomery Street, Between Lee and Commerce streets; downtown
*Open for breakfast and lunch daily 8:00am – 2:00pm
This cozy downtown cafe is owned and operated by a Venezuelan native who proudly prepares her country's traditional cuisine. Hearty breakfasts are served daily. Lunch consists of a rotating protein like coconut chicken, Venezuelan burger or pork bites, presented with a variety of sides buffet style. Dinners are limited to Monday, Thursday and Friday evenings. There are no menus and the nights two selections are relayed verbally. Be assured that whatever the chef prepares will be delicious.
Dreamland B-B-Q | 12 W Jefferson St, Montgomery, AL 36104
"Ain't nothing like 'em nowhere" is the motto at this barbecue cafe. The menu is small, but that is okay because everybody comes for one thing: the ribs. Barbecue dishes come with white bread and a kicking sauce. Friendly Southern hospitality and a casual backdrop help make this place a favorite.
Near The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum
El Rey Burrito Lounge | 1031 East Fairview Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36106
*Open Monday – Saturday 4:00pm – 10:00/11:00pm
El Rey has been in operation since 1999 serving Mexican-style food made with locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Located in Montgomery's historic neighborhood of Old Cloverdale, El Rey’s intimate dining room, front porch and lush patios have become the go-to spot for families and friends to meet for burritos, tacos and quesadillas. Margaritas, craft cocktails and an extensive beer list warm up cold winter nights and cool off warm summer sundowns.
JACKSON, MS DINING
Brent’s Drugs | 655 Duling Avenue, Jackson, MS 39216
*Closed Monday
This neighborhood institution, which made its Hollywood debut in The Help and grabbed a name check in the book, has been operating since 1946, and happily maintains its old-school soda fountain style. Grab a stool and order a French Toast Sandwich-- two slices housing a fried egg and gooey American cheese. Pair it with a side of grits -- they're freshly ground at Delta Grind, located just North of Jackson in Water Valley. Diners can follow this culinary delight with a trip into the former pharmaceutical storeroom. Here, a refreshing selection of cocktails can be sampled. This special speakeasy is known as The Apothecary and it’s a hidden treat not to be missed.
The Manship | 1200 N State Street #100, Jackson, MS 39202
This eatery has made a name for itself with an entirely wood-fired kitchen. With cooking methods like that, pizzas are, of course, on the menu, and pies loaded with well-paired flavors like funghi, bacon, and egg are excellent. If you can bear it, though, opt for the fish instead. Check the specials -- the kitchen has been working on whole grilled options, like red snapper and sea bass, that can't be beat for presentation or flavor.
Hal and Mal’s | 200 Commerce Street, Jackson, MS 39201
*Closed Sunday
Hal and Mal’s has been a Jackson culinary institution since brother Hal and Mal White first opened the restaurant back in 1985 in a former 1920s GM&O freight train depot building in the heart of Jackson downtown. With a quirky and retro interior that exudes classic Southern charm Hal and Mal’s is divided into several different areas including the classy Dining Room, the Red Room where live music is often played and the Courtyard with its unique New Orleans French Quarter style.
Biscuit & Blues | 315 Main St, Natchez, MS 39120
Dedicated to what they call "hot biscuits and cool blues," this Natchez restaurant offers local takes on comfort foods, including tiny muffaletta sandwiches, crab-stuffed jalapenos, smoked ribs, po'boys and some of the best biscuits in the country. Live music makes it especially appealing.
MEMPHIS, TN DINING
Gus’s Fried Chicken | 310 S Front Street, Memphis, TN There are few things more Memphis than eating some of Gus’s famous hot and spicy fried chicken and washing it down with a “40” (a 40-oz. beer). Gus’s has been mentioned on all sorts of “best of” lists, but locals love it for the laid back atmosphere, spicy fries and perfectly greasy fried chicken.
The Liquor Store | 2655 Broad Avenue, Memphis, TN
Located in the Broad Avenue Arts District, a funky, offbeat collection of shops and restaurants, this new old-fashioned diner concept is housed in a former liquor store, peddling comfort food like all-day breakfast, burgers and cocktails.
Cozy Corner BBQ | 735 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN
*Closed Sunday and Monday, take out only The family-owned Cozy Corner is the perfect place to try authentic Memphis ribs and pork shoulder. The house specialty, Cornish game hen, is also not to be missed.
Restaurant Iris | 2146 Monroe Avenue, Memphis, TN
*Only offering meals to go A perennial favorite of critics and locals, James Beard-noted chef Kelly English serves exquisite French-Creole dishes and elevates humble ingredients (okra and griddle cakes) to haute cuisine.
The Beauty Shop Restaurant | 966 Cooper St. Memphis, TN
*Open Monday through Saturday evening for dinner and Saturday and Sunday day only for Brunch
This swanky Cooper Young restaurant is located in the former beauty shop where Priscilla Presley styled her beehive. The 1950s style hair dryers, washing sinks, mirrors and mint-green mod features are still on display. The menu offers a truly eclectic mix of international and Southern cuisine that includes a watermelon and hot wings plates, daily crepe specials, grilled whole fish dinners and a popular cosmopolitan brunch.
Gibson’s Donuts | 760 Mt Moriah Rd, Memphis, TN
Since 1968, this friendly local doughnut shop has offered its raised and cake pastries to a never-ending stream of customers. Of note: blueberry fills with both blueberry coulis and whipped cream — a local favorite. Best of all, Gibson’s is open 24 hours a day.
