While visiting my daughter Kara recently in Mississippi, we decided to explore a place for lunch. We settled on Saltine Oyster Bar in Jackson because I read that Chef Jesse Houston was a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2015 for Best Chef in South.
The restaurant is housed inside this old schoolhouse.
The popular restaurant had just opened when we arrived but filled up quickly.
Kara and I were seated with the view of the oyster offerings and also right next to the octopus wall. I’m sure most people order oysters in an oyster bar, but I must confess to not caring for oysters…
The napkins and flatware glistened through the windows, awaiting the guests.
Our server brought over the menus.
Since we were in the Deep South, I knew I wanted to begin with something very different from my usual fare. Does an Alligator and Andouille Gumbo fit that description? It was so good, and probably my favorite part of our adventure.
Kara ordered Shrimp and Lobster Spring Rolls.
We shared a little basket of Hush Puppies.
Kara loves Po’ Boys and ordered the roast beef version.
I ordered the Woodfire Biloxi Snapper with roasted potatoes with an herb sauce. The fish was cooked perfectly.
For dessert, Kara settled on the Banoffee Pie served in a small Mason jar.
I had to try the Beer Ice Cream since I had never had it before. I wanted to taste it so I could try and duplicate it at home in my ice cream maker for my husband. He would have loved this! It’s on my list to make this summer.
Kara and I left full and satisfied, and definitely were going to skip dinner! I got my fill of some great Southern food, especially the alligator and andouille gumbo, which is something I would never think to make. I don’t think alligators are available back home in Illinois!
Stay tuned for another Southern feast next time I am visiting Kara. Maybe I might even try giving oysters another chance…
loved all the photos and the pickled onions on the hush puppies
I loved those pickled onions too!
What a charming and interesting place – and the beer ice cream sounds weirdly wonderful.
Janice, it was weirdly wonderful! Very subtle, but definitely knew it was beer. The chocolate drizzle enhanced the flavor.
I look forward to each of your posts, Debbie. Thanks for sharing your beloved cookbooks and recipes, your family, and your culinary adventures!
Thank you, Denise! It’s comments like yours that keep me going.
That place looks amazing!! Your fish plate has me craving snapper …….. BUT, the Beer Ice Cream??? Now, THAT’s something I have to work on!! Was it made with a stoudt beer?? The color looks like they may use a darker more robust beer…….. thanks for sharing your dining experience!!
Sue, the server said they use all kinds of beer depending upon what they have at any given time. Other drizzles on the ice cream are used too according to what flavors the beers have. It was really good!
Almost forgot to mention …….. hope you try the oysters next time you visit ……. they really are delicious little morsels…..
I always keep trying, but so far I’m not there yet. I used to hate asparagus but grew to love it, so maybe oysters have a chance too!
You girls chose delicious dishes from the menu! I would have skipped the oysters, also. I love seafood but not oysters, yet I am always willing to give them another try. Still waiting for them to tantalize my taste-buds!! Yum on your Gumbo, Spring Rolls, Snapper, and desserts. Don’t believe we have gator available here in the NW either!! Guess I will have to make a trip to Mississippi someday.
Kim – agree with you on the oysters! I’m willing to keep trying.