Hidden Gems in Greenwood, Mississippi

Greenwood, Mississippi’s
Heirloom Finds

In the South, cooking is a part of our culture. Recipes handed down through generations, weekends in the kitchen surrounded by family with the old teaching the young, and tables surrounded by family laden with food served on everything from paper plates to fine china. And in Greenwood, Mississippi, you’ll find restaurants of all types and sizes serving up heavenly heirloom recipes. Here are a few hidden gems you do not want to miss.

If you didn’t know it was there, you might pass up Jeems Diner, and what a mistake that would be. Family owned and serving up breakfast and lunch, locals can’t get enough of the hospitality and mouth-watering home cooking. From grits and pancakes to smothered pork chops, fresh vegetables and their famous “Fat Mac” burger, you’ll leave feeling like part of the family and ready to come back tomorrow.

With a 100-year-old family recipe for eggrolls on its menu, Mai Little China takes generational recipes to a new level. But Chinese isn’t all that the Mai family is serving up. Classics like sesame chicken and pepper shrimp take center stage on the menu, but Matthew Mai doesn’t neglect his Mississippi Delta roots. Look closely and you’ll also find mouth-watering, Southern entrees with a modern twist, such as Catfish Mai and Boneless Duck Breast with Brandy Cream Sauce.

Anyone who knows barbeque knows it’s a labor of love, and you can taste that love in every bite at Drake’s BBQ. The Drake family prides themselves on serving some of the most smoky and tender ribs, pulled pork, sausage, chicken and a staple that every Mississippi Delta menu must have – crispy fried catfish. Be sure to balance out your meal with some of their delicious side dishes, like baked beans and corn nuggets, and definitely end on a sweet note with their homemade banana pudding or caramel cake.

With over 70 years in the business, it’s no surprise that Serio’s Restaurant knows a thing or two about secret family recipes. Serving up some of the same Sicilian-inspired recipes since opening day, you won’t want to miss out on such savory local favorites as the eggplant parmesan, chicken piccata, lasagna or their famous open-faced meatball sandwich. And don’t worry, a slice of their decadent tiramisu can be packaged to go.