Meridian, Mississippi, is growing by leaps and bounds. This city not only has the oldest restaurant in the state, Weidmann’s, but several places that deserve a visit, both old and new. Here are six great restaurants in Meridian that we enjoyed dining at while exploring all the town has to offer.
1. Weidmann’s
Weidmann’s is a stellar restaurant in the heart of downtown Meridian. Its classic decor and appealing menu have delivered a powerful punch to Meridian’s hungry patrons for over 150 years. Some may just visit for the complimentary crock of house-made peanut butter and crackers that dons each table. I go for the Quiche Lorraine, soups, and non-traditional Shrimp and Grits.
Sundays are for Weidmann’s Jazz Brunch, a celebratory occasion with live music, a special menu, and a lively atmosphere. Start your meal with the Fried Green Tomatoes with 1870 Sauce, topped with shrimp, tomatoes, mushrooms, and a spicy cream sauce. Yum! Try the Chicken and Waffles or Eggs Benedict for your main dish, both perfectly prepared. Brunch is served from 11 AM to 2 PM.
2. Mr. Rodger’s Hamburgers
This iconic eatery primarily serves locals, who know how delicious and affordable the food is, but I ventured over as a newbie and was welcomed with open arms. Mr. Rodger’s Hamburgers serves burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, fries, onion rings, and chicken tenders. It is a counter service restaurant, but they will bring your food to your table once it is ready.
I had a really tasty burger from Mr. Rodger’s with a side of potato salad. I didn’t expect to find potato salad on the menu, so that was a pleasant (and tasty) surprise. Mr. Rodger’s has breakfast, too, with breakfast platters, hotcakes, biscuits, and grits.
Are you an RV-er? We had the best stay at the East Meridian/Toomsuba KOA Journey campground, which you can read about here.
3. Harvest Grill
Harvest Grill was an impressive dining spot with an excellent cocktail menu and unique menu items. The Pimento Bites appetizer was good for sharing, and the Brisket Spring Rolls were a great entree for me. My spring rolls had jalapeño, shallots, and white bbq sauce. Be still my beating heart.
My husband chose the Creole Carbonara, filling and full of shrimp, chicken, and andouille sausage, but it could have used more seasoning and spice. The spring peas were an excellent addition to the dish, and the light cream sauce was spot on.
The star of Harvest Grill’s menu is the desserts. There are so many that you will have difficulty choosing just one. We shared the “Country Fair Style” Bread Pudding, a non-traditional bread pudding with puffy fried dough slices with buttered rum and white chocolate shavings. Vanilla bean ice cream was the perfect addition to this darned tasty sweet treat.
4. Mia’s Caffe
This cute little coffee shop is located right across the street from the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience with soup, paninis, pastries, sandwiches, and gelato. Mia’s also specializes in coffees and teas, attracting quite a crowd with their perfectly pressed sandwiches and friendly staff.
My husband had a sandwich with a cup of soup combo. The tomato basil was flavorful, and the sandwich was hearty and good. I went with the Muffuletta on Sicilian sesame bread and chock full of meat, cheese, and a tangy olive salad. If you aren’t familiar with this sandwich, it is a staple in New Orleans, and I was happy to have one in Meridian, Mississippi.
Next time I’m saving room for a coffee treat.
5. Mugshots Grill and Bar
One of Mississippi’s staples is Mugshots Grill and Bar, with huge portions, gourmet burgers, and daily happy hour. How can you go wrong with this trifecta? Mugshots is a casual eatery with many locations around the state (and Alabama) to enjoy the elevated bar food.
I love that Mugshots offers a burger of the month creation. Still, the list of carefully curated burger recipes on the regular menu is alluring enough to tempt any meat eater. And we can’t gloss over the fact that Mugshots uses a delicious toasted sourdough bun, something I would typically skip, but this one is so good that I can’t help myself. My favorite burger is the Gamble, drenched in chili, house-made Rotel, sour cream, and jalapeños. This isn’t for the faint of heart.
Pro Tip: Sign up for the Mugshot eClub and get a free burger on your birthday!
6. The Rustler
The Rustler is the only restaurant we didn’t make it to. This fine-dining restaurant is Meridian’s signature special date night or occasion hotspot, with a mouth-watering menu and classic steakhouse favorites. Tell me your favorite dish there.
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