Where: Jackson, Mississippi
When: year-round
If you like: dining and drinks
Why you should go: When opened in 1935 by Greek immigrants, the Mayflower Cafe was a jewel of Jackson’s then-vibrant downtown. Governors and blues musicians trod upon its poured terrazzo and penny tile floors, often to request the curry-spiked “comeback sauce” that earned a place in the pantheon of Southern condiments. But as downtown faded, so did the Mayflower. Paint flaked from the story-high neon sign. Ice bins that once displayed fresh fish sat forlornly empty. Enter Hunter Evans, chef of Jackson’s celebrated all-day cafe, Elvie’s, who undertook the sizable task of sprucing up the institution for last summer’s reopening. Light fixtures were matched to vintage photos, the neon sign received a refresh, and those ice bins filled with the catch of the day, anchoring a new bar. “We’re making sure we return to sourcing the best crab and fish possible,” says Evans, a 2024 James Beard Award finalist. “The Mayflower is the kind of classic seafood house people love. I believe we can bring some life to this place, and to downtown.”
G&G tip: Many Mayflower employees have worked at the restaurant for decades, and they love serving comeback sauce with a side of history.
