best bbq/blues in mississippi (Jackson, Hattiesburg: live, restaurants, club)

[fishnoise7]

I'm planning a road trip across the south for later this summer and I'm hoping to find some excellent bbq places along the way. Can anybody recommend good bbq restaurants in MS? I'd also be interested in hearing some jazz/blues while there. I'll be traveling along 1-20, but was planning to stop in jackson or vicksburg. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[MSvirgo]

I love E&L Barbecue in Jackson. It's on Bailey Ave near Fortification. It's not hard to find if you were to exit from either I-55 N or S onto Fortification (near Downtown Jackson). It's been around for over 20 years and the food is delicious. On Friday and Saturday, the wait in line could be up to an hour for all of the people in there ordering food. Hal and Mals is also a good place to listen to the blues. I think on Monday's, they have live blues concerts. They are located on State St. near Pascagoula. It is also easily accessed from I-55 N & S onto High Street or Pearl St. I can't think of anything along I-20 specifically. I hope you enjoy your stay.

[Robert_J]

Not to show any disrespect to the southern part of the state but you need to come at least to Clarksdale to experience the blues. That's where The Crossroads are. From there it's a short drive to the best BBQ in the world in Memphis. A 20 year old BBQ restaurant is still getting their dry rub recipe right. I frequent a BBQ place that has been around since the 1930's.

-Robert

[jhadorn]

While you are in Clarksdale, Abe's BBQ is pretty good too. It's at the crossroads. Be sure to stop by Ground Zero Blues Club to listen to the blues.

[oldenfatt]

Best BBQ, to my taste, is found at Bishop's in Saltillo. Ribs and Onion Rings come close to perfection. Not much Blues nearby, but you can see Elvis' birthplace in Tupelo.

[Ira500]

Leatha's BBQ Inn in Hattiesburg is a little hard to find, but is among the best BBQ anywhere.
I don't think anybody working there weighs less than 300 pounds, and it's such a cool place.

[jacksonian]

Originally Posted by Ira500

Leatha's BBQ Inn in Hattiesburg is a little hard to find, but is among the best BBQ anywhere.
I don't think anybody working there weighs less than 300 pounds, and it's such a cool place.

Ditto

E&L in Jackson is probably my second favorite, but I've never made it to the crossroads... sounds like I need to make a day trip.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by MSvirgo

I love E&L Barbecue in Jackson. It's on Bailey Ave near Fortification. It's not hard to find if you were to exit from either I-55 N or S onto Fortification (near Downtown Jackson). It's been around for over 20 years and the food is delicious. On Friday and Saturday, the wait in line could be up to an hour for all of the people in there ordering food. Hal and Mals is also a good place to listen to the blues. I think on Monday's, they have live blues concerts. They are located on State St. near Pascagoula. It is also easily accessed from I-55 N & S onto High Street or Pearl St. I can't think of anything along I-20 specifically. I hope you enjoy your stay.

Did Red, Hot, and Blue ever reopen ? They were pretty good.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by jhadorn

While you are in Clarksdale, Abe's BBQ is pretty good too. It's at the crossroads. Be sure to stop by Ground Zero Blues Club to listen to the blues.

Where else does Abe's exist in Miss. ? For a few years back in the late 1990s they were here in Baton Rouge, and I remember they were pretty good.

(I heard that the owners had a falling out, and that's what doomed the Baton Rouge location - I wonder if that affected any of the Miss. restaurants still open)

[jhadorn]

Originally Posted by BRMan

Where else does Abe's exist in Miss. ? For a few years back in the late 1990s they were here in Baton Rouge, and I remember they were pretty good.

(I heard that the owners had a falling out, and that's what doomed the Baton Rouge location - I wonder if that affected any of the Miss. restaurants still open)

The only Abe's I know of is in Clarksdale. I didn't know they had a Baton Rouge location. A quick check of the website only lists the Clarksdale location so maybe it is the only one left.

But it's some good eatin', let me tell ya.