Summary of Must-Try Dishes on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Dining is one of the greatest pleasures during a visit to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The influence of French, Cajun, and Creole cooking is similar in some ways to neighboring New Orleans, but Mississippians offer their own adaptations that should not be missed. Here’s what you need to eat on your next visit.
Shrimp or Crawfish Étouffée
If you don’t want to munch on your shrimp as it falls from the inside of a Po’boy sandwich, savoring an Étouffée may be more your style. This dish (pronounced Ay-too-Fay) features large Gulf shrimp or crawfish prepared in a rich, spicy onion and roux-based sauce.
This Cajun stew creation can be found from Florida to East Texas, and although shrimp is the common shellfish ingredient, it often is served with whichever catch is most plentiful on a given day. A large portion of white rice is included but can be ordered as a side dish for those who prefer not to mix their rice with the other ingredients.
In Biloxi, Mississippi, Mary Mahoney’s Old French House serves some of its featured fish dishes with a topping of Crawfish Étouffée.
Po’boy Sandwiches
The idea behind a po’boy sandwich is to heap a baguette (French bread) with a substantial helping of whatever is plentiful. Consequently, you might find turkey and dressing po’boys around Thanksgiving Day, crawfish po’boys, or perhaps that local favorite, the shrimp po’boy.
Legend has it that the original servings in New Orleans went to unemployed workers during the Great Depression, highlighting how beggars couldn’t be choosers.
The Mississippi version certainly is worth trying, especially if it is brimming with shrimp, which is the state’s most bountiful seafood product.
As you might have guessed, this is not a meal you’ll eat with a prim and proper approach. Po’boys are inherently messy, often requiring you to extract some of the shrimp from the baguette prior to that first bite. Sometimes, a po’boy is dressed with lettuce, onion, and mayonnaise. It is common to find yellow mustard and hot sauce within reach at establishments serving the sandwich.
In Gulfport, Louisiana, Blow Fly Inn Restaurant offers six kinds of po’boys. Notably, Diners, Drive-ins & Dives and Emeril Live both have introduced the restaurant to their respective audiences.
Fried Green Tomatoes
It doesn’t take much imagination to deep-fry a breaded tomato slice; however, Mississippians are known for elevating this simple dish into a culinary art form.
Start with a thin tomato slice and add a smattering of seafood, perhaps crab meat or shrimp. Then, ladle on some ravigote sauce (a French creation featuring a vegetable or meat broth and Dijon mustard).
If you’re still skeptical about fried green tomatoes, consider splitting an order. Some diners become quickly hooked after the first taste.
Looking for a place to try this dish? Atchafalaya Restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana, serves these crispy coated tomatoes with crabmeat and spicy rémoulade as an appetizer.
Crawfish Monica
As you wander along the coast, you’ll be invited to try crawfish in various forms. One favorite along the Mississippi coast is Crawfish Monica, which pairs creamy pasta with crawfish and a Cajun-seasoned sauce.
The Harbor View Cafe in Long Beach, Mississippi, features Crawfish Monica on its lunch and dinner menu. After Hurricane Katrina devastated this restaurant, The Harbor View was rebuilt further inland and reopened a year later.
Jambalaya
Jambalaya has its origins along the coasts of France and Spain and is served throughout the Gulf in both Cajun and Creole varieties. Although there are subtle differences, many recipes include the so-called “Trinity” of celery, onion, and peppers.
In Mississippi and Louisiana, however, many servings are prepared without vegetables. Consequently, it’s possible to dine at various restaurants during your stay, ordering jambalaya, and savoring a distinct recipe at every location.
Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar in Gulfport serves a jambalaya that includes shrimp, Italian sausage, smoked sausage, and chicken.
Mississippi Mud Pie
Perhaps it’s the alluring alliteration between Mississippi and mud that inspired this name, but the exact reasoning remains a mystery.
There are closely guarded mud pie recipes from Pascagoula to East St. Louis; however, most share similarities with a chocolate brownie infused with pecans, topped with chocolate icing and melted marshmallows. The essential trick is to serve the pie warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
The Chimneys in Gulfport offers this delectable treat, ensuring a sweet finish to your culinary journey.
