Mississippi
Southern Living says MS gem one of ‘South’s Most Legendary Restaurants’
Mayflower Cafe named one of USA TODAY’s best restaurants of 2026
Take a look inside Mayflower Cafe in Jackson, Mississippi, named one of USA TODAY’s best restaurants for 2026.
Southern Living released its 2026 list of the most legendary restaurants in the South. These places are longtime favorites that became community icons. They’re fan favorites from breakfast through date night.
“The South’s most legendary restaurants have shaped their cities, hosted generations of celebrations, and perfected the dishes that keep guests coming back,” Southern Living wrote. “From white-tablecloth dining rooms to beloved small-town cafés, these long-standing eateries with decades of history serve up more than just wonderful meals.”
Here’s what we know about the only Mississippi restaurant to make the list.
Southern Living says this Mississippi restaurant is ‘legendary’
City Grocery Restaurant is on the Square in Oxford, Mississippi.
Chef John Currence founded it in 1992 in a converted livery stable. The City Grocery was a 2025 Michelin Guide American South Recommended Restaurant.
“Grounded in a mix of culinary styles and featuring homegrown flavors that define Southern cooking, this spot catalyzed a new interest in North Mississippi restaurants that’s still going strong over three decades later,” Southern Living wrote.
People can grab a drink at the upstairs bar. Or you can experience fine dining downstairs.
Today, the James Beard award nominee runs four restaurants in Oxford:
When to go to City Grocery
City Grocery is open six days a week for lunch and dinner.
Lunch hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Dinner hours are 6-10 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 6-10:30 p.m. Friday to Saturday.
Bar hours start at 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Reservations are recommended.
Southern Living’s Most Legendary Restaurants in the South
Southern Living names more than 30 restaurants among the most legendary in the South. Only one is from Mississippi.
- The Olde Pink House in Savannah, Georgia
- The Old Mill and Restaurant in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- Bern’s Steak House in Tampa, Florida
- Columbia Restaurant in Tampa, Florida
- Angus Barn in Raleigh, North Carolina
- Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach, Florida
- Mary Mac’s Tea Room in Atlanta, Georgia
- Poogan’s Porch in Charleston, South Carolina
- Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room in Savannah, Georgia
- Bottega in Birmingham, Alabama
- The Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, West Virginia
- The Loveless Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee
- Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, Louisiana
- Captain Anderson’s in Panama City Beach, Florida
- Patti’s 1880’s Settlement in Grand Rivers, Kentucky
- Hyman’s Seafood in Charleston, South Carolina
- Michie Tavern in Charlottesville, Virginia
- The Smith House in Dahlonega, Georgia
- Crafted at Boone Tavern in Berea, Kentucky
- 82 Queen in Charleston, South Carolina
- The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee
- Sea Captain’s House in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Blue Heaven in Key West, Florida
- The Pirate’s House in Savannah, Georgia
- Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
- Hugo’s in Fayetteville, Arkansas
- The Bright Star Restaurant in Bessemer, Alabama
- Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls, Texas
- The Red Fox Inn & Tavern in Middleburg, Virginia
- Jack Fry’s in Louisville, Kentucky
- City Grocery in Oxford, Mississippi
- Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Contributing: Vanessa Countryman
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
Mississippi
4 Mississippi state parks remain closed due to lingering impact of January ice storm – SuperTalk Mississippi
Four state parks and one county lake remain closed as restoration work continues in the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks said that the following facilities are not welcoming visitors at this time: Wall Doxey State Park, P. Coleman State Park, George P. Cossar State Park, John W. Kyle State Park, and Tippah County Lake.
Insurance payouts exceed $60M as Winter Storm Fern claims mount in Mississippi
“These closures remain necessary due to ongoing cleanup efforts, including the removal of storm debris, downed trees, and other hazards that pose potential safety risks to visitors and staff,” an official statement from the department reads. “Widespread impacts from the January ice storm caused significant damage across these properties, and crews are continuing to work diligently to restore safe access.”
Officials said they will notify the public when the parks and lake reopen.
Mississippi State football spring practice video clips
Watch some clips of Mississippi State football during its first spring practice of 2026.
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football knows sophomore Kamario Taylor will be the starting quarterback in 2026.
But as for his backup, that’s still to be decided as the Bulldogs held their first spring practice on March 17. Coach Jeff Lebby said it will be an ongoing competition between MSU’s four other quarterbacks on the roster: AJ Swann, Jaden Rashada, Parker Puckett and Brodie McWhorter.
“There’s great competition for the No. 2 spot, which I love,” Lebby said. “The other four guys are going to get a ton of reps. We’re going to cut them evenly. There’s going to be a different No. 2 every single day until one guy starts to separate a little bit.”
Swann and Rashada transferred to Mississippi State this season but with different profiles.
Swann is a veteran who’s started in 18 games in his career between Vanderbilt, LSU and Appalachian State.
Rashada is a redshirt junior who’s played in nine games in the last three seasons at Arizona State, Georgia and Sacramento State. He had two starts at Sacramento State before he suffered a thumb injury.
McWhorter is a freshman from Kingston, Georgia, an early-enrolled three-star in the 2026 recruiting class. Puckett is a redshirt freshman who walked on from Jackson Prep.
Taylor will be in his first season as the full-time starter.
Mississippi State still eyeing players in transfer portal
While there is no spring transfer window this season, Lebby said Mississippi State is still attempting to fill open roster spots. Players can no longer enter the transfer portal, but they can still commit to teams if they haven’t already.
247Sports reported Baylor edge rusher Kamauryn Morgan, the No. 1 uncommitted transfer and No. 18 player overall, is visiting MSU on April 4 and Auburn on March 28.
“There’s a chance for a rush, a jack/edge type player,” said Lebby, who did not mention anyone Mississippi State was targeting. “That will be one piece. And then from there, it will really be some depth pieces, whether it’s a backer, a safety, best available. There’s very, very few spots left.
“If we have the ability to add one more rusher, I’d be excited about that. There’s a couple guys left out there that I think are good enough to help on Saturdays and that will be something we continue to work through.”
Will Mississippi State football hold a spring game?
Mississippi State has not announced any plans about holding a spring game. Lebby said details should be revealed soon, though.
“We’ve got a couple things in the works that we’ll announce here hopefully in the next week,” Lebby said. “Some fan engagement things that will go on at one of our big spring scrimmages.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball star third baseman Ace Reese exited the March 17 game against Jackson State in the second inning with an apparent injury.
Reese took a foul ball off his right foot and initially stayed in the game and drew a walk. He was pulled after the next at-bat after advancing to second base on a dropped pop fly.
The No. 6 Bulldogs (16-4) led Jackson State 4-0 at the time at Dudy Noble Field.
Drew Wyers replaced Reese as the pinch runner and stayed in the game at third base. Reese was not limping while walking off the field.
It is not the same foot that required offseason toe surgery where Reese missed all of Mississippi State’s fall practices.
MSU has not provided an update on Reese’s status since he exited.
Ace Reese stats
Reese entered 2026 as a preseason All-American and potential first-round MLB draft pick. He’s picked off where he left off as one of Mississippi State’s top batters.
He entered the Jackson State game batting .370 with six home runs, 31 RBIs and 26 runs.
The former Houston transfer drew two walks in his two plate appearances against JSU.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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