“Probably the best-known restaurant in Greenwood, the Delta and perhaps the state,” according to the Southern Foodways Alliance, Lusco’s has been drawing in customers primarily for its seafood and steaks for decades. It began in 1933 as a grocery store run by Italian immigrants that eventually turned into a full-service restaurant. Some Mediterranean flavors are accompanied on the menu with deep-frying that is expected in this region. Shrimp and crabmeat are featured in several preparations. For fish, farm-raised catfish and red snapper filets and even a whole pompano are broiled and served “wet with Lusco’s Fish Sauce” or with it on the side. Luscious crabmeat is common addition on top of both the fish and on the good-sized steaks.
Lusco’s
722 Carrollton
Greenwood, Mississippi 38930
662-453-5365
An upscale restaurant situated outside of Biloxi’s casinos, since 1964 this has been charming locals and visitors with its rich, time-tested offerings that exhibit a debt to nearby New Orleans. Seafood gumbo, shrimp remoulade, whole broiled flounder, fried shrimp, fried oysters, shrimp and crab au gratin, stuffed snapper, Shrimp and Lump Crabmeat Melba, and shrimp Imperial are menu highlights along with several steaks and lamb loin chops served with mint jelly. Mary Mahoney’s is unique in that it resides in a stately former home believed to be built in the 1730s – it’s the oldest house in Biloxi – and that it was featured in two of John Grisham’s best-selling novels.
Mary Mahoney’s
110 Rue Magnolia
Biloxi, Mississippi 39530
228-374-0163
marymahoneys.com
An institution on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for years, it serves the sumptuous seafood and meat dishes that are longtime favorites in the coastal South with service and setting to match. A few specialties are the Stuffed Red Snapper Bay St. Louis with shrimp and Crabmeat dressing, broiled and served with Maitre d’ hotel butter, Trout Amandine, Snapper Pontchartrain, and the Stuffed Whole Gulf Flounder. It also features USDA Prime steaks, including a couple finished with reduced and savory additions, though anything on the menu can be topped with jumbo lump crabmeat sautéed in garlic-butter or lemon-butter. Though the seafood and meat are the prime draws, Vrazel’s is well-known for its Eggplant La Rosa, shrimp and crabmeat blended with eggplant and cheese in a casserole dish and baked.
Vrazel's Fine Food Restaurant
3206 West Beach Boulevard
Gulfport, Mississippi 39501
228-863-2229
vrazels.com
