Mayflower Cafe

We were mourning leaving New Orleans when we read about the Mayflower Cafe in Jackson, MS. We planned our trip to Memphis so that we would pass by Jackson and were we ever happy that we did. The Mayflower Cafe is a gem among the Roadfood experiences that we have had over the years. Stopping here temporarily assuaged our grief at leaving great seafood behind.

Kay ordered Mike’s Gumbo and I, crab bisque. The gumbo was full of okra and shrimp and my bisque was creamy and chockablock with crab. Both were absolutely delicious and could have easily been found in New Orleans. Both of us had the half shrimp and half oyster platter–fried. The breading was light and the food was cooked perfectly. There wasn’t a hint of grease anywhere on the plate or on the food.

The French fries were, our waitress informed us, a house specialty. Deservedly so: crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, served right out of the fryer. We enjoyed dipping them in the house comeback dressing. The dressing also adorned our salad and was equally good both ways. We found the recipe for comeback dressing and I think it will become a new standard on our iceberg wedges served at home.

For anyone traveling in Mississippi, the Mayflower Cafe should definitely be on your list of places to try.