Hal and Mal's is a soul food restaurant in Jackson.
Editorially verified June 26, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Must order: Red beans and rice with andouille sausage, or a po'boy with comeback sauce
Tip: Check the entertainment calendar before visiting; Hal's is the home of Hal's St Paddy's Parade every March.
Address: 200 Commerce St, Jackson, MS 39201
Boondocks BBQ is a neighbourhood smokehouse near Belhaven, known for smoked brisket, pulled pork, specialty burgers, and long lunch queues mid-week.
Order: Smoked brisket sandwich with house sauce, or the smoked wings
Tip: This is the kind of neighbourhood BBQ that doesn't get tourist coverage; locals eat here for a reason.
Keifer's Restaurant has served gyros, hummus, and Greek salads to a Jackson dining room beloved by students, families, and late-night crowds since 1980.
Order: Gyro plate with extra feta dressing, or the Greek salad
Tip: Keifer's stays open until 23:00 on weekends, making it one of Jackson's best late-night options.
Hen and Egg is chef Nick Wallace's downtown Southern cafe, serving Gulf shrimp grits, chicken and egg sandwiches, and a Sunday brunch buffet.
Order: Gulf Shrimp and Delta Rice Grits at lunch, or the Sunday brunch buffet
Tip: The Sunday buffet upstairs is one of downtown's best weekly rituals; arrive before 11:00 for a table.
Drago's is the Mississippi outpost of the New Orleans chain, with charbroiled oysters, Gulf fried shellfish, crawfish in season, and Southern-spiced sides.
Order: Charbroiled oysters with garlic-butter and parmesan as a first course
Tip: Crawfish season runs February to May; call ahead to confirm live product is available.
Aladdin Mediterranean Grill opens at 07:30, serving shakshuka, falafel, lamb kebabs, and shawarma in a Jackson staple with all-day Mediterranean dining.
Order: Morning shakshuka with pita, or the falafel and hummus plate at lunch
Tip: One of the city's rare all-day Mediterranean restaurants; the breakfast menu alone is worth a visit.
Johnny T's on Farish Street is Jackson's live blues and Southern food destination, sitting in the historic heart of the city's entertainment district.
Order: Fried catfish plate, or the blackened Gulf shrimp with rice
Tip: Saturday late-night crowds make this Farish Street's most energetic venue; the kitchen runs until midnight.
