The Mississippi Delta is a region thick with heat, history, and the deep, soulful rhythms of American blues. Filming Parts Unknown here in 2014, the objective was to explore a complicated, often misunderstood slice of the American South where the food is inextricably linked to the land and its struggles. The Delta is legendary for its heavy, comforting soul food, pit-smoked whole hog barbecue, and the fascinating cultural anomaly of the Mississippi hot tamale. The angle was to pull back the curtain on the rustic, time-capsule institutions that have fed the working class for generations, bypassing modern polish for pure authenticity. It was an homage to the corner joints serving pig ear sandwiches and the legendary, hidden dining rooms pouring massive steaks and broiled fish. To truly understand the complex, haunting beauty of the Delta, you have to sit down at its oldest tables. Here are the essential, history-soaked stops that define this iconic region.
The great Anthony Bourdain left his mark everywhere he went. When his death was announced to the world in June 2018, the media throughout the globe chimed in and listed all the great things he had done for their respective city, town, province, country. Whereas before, tourists would shy away from exotic foods, thanks to him, travellers now go the extra mile to find and try local bites. With this in mind, here are all the restaurants Bourdain visited and the dishes he tasted when he shot Anthony Bourdain Mississippi Delta for his show, Parts Unknown Season 3 Episode 7 (originally aired May 18, 2014):
DISH – Smokes and Ears
WHAT IS IT?
Smokes are smoked sausage sandwiches and Ears are pig’s ear sandwiches
WHERE IS IT?
Big Apple Inn
509 N Farish St
Jackson, MS
ANTHONY BOURDAIN MISSISSIPPI DELTA NOTES
Big Apple Inn is located in a rundown area along Farish Street in Jackson Mississippi.
DISH – Mississippi Delta Cuisine
WHAT IS IT?
Mississipi Delta Cuisine refers to food that is traditionally prepared and consumed in this side of the Mississippi River Delta. The most characteristic of Mississippi Delta food are the Hot Tamales. Other favorites include Delta vegetable salad, potato fries, crispy fried shrimp and steaks.
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WHERE IS IT?
Doe’s Eat Place
502 Nelson St
Greenville, MS
ANTHONY BOURDAIN MISSISSIPPI DELTA NOTES
The original Doe’s Eat Place in Greenville is most famous for its steaks and tamales. Their tamales are made with steak dripping that enhances the flavor of the dish.
DISH – Soul Food
WHAT IS IT?
Soul food originates from the Southeastern portion of the United States. A typical meal consists of greens, fried okra, mac and cheese, red beans, neck bones stew, fried chicken, and rice and gravy.
WHERE IS IT?
The Senator’s Place
1028 S Davis Ave
Cleveland, MS
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
ANTHONY BOURDAIN MISSISSIPPI DELTA NOTES
The Senator’s Place is a soul food restaurant owned by US Senator Willie Lee Simmons.
DISH – Broiled Pompano
WHAT IS IT?
Whole Pompano fish rubbed with butter and seasoned before broiling.
WHERE IS IT?
Lusco’s
722 Carrollton Ave
Greenwood, MS
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
ANTHONY BOURDAIN MISSISSIPPI DELTA NOTES
In Parts Unknown Mississippi Delta, Anthony Bourdain sampled the famous Whole Pompano of Lusco’s. He also had broiled shrimps, Lusco’s special salad and onion rings.
DISH – Pit-Smoked Hog Barbecue
WHAT IS IT?
Hog barbecue cooked through smoking in a pit.
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WHERE IS IT?
Lamar Lounge
1309 N Lamar Blvd
Oxford, MS
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
ANTHONY BOURDAIN MISSISSIPPI DELTA NOTES
At John Currence’s Lamar Lounge, Anthony Bourdain shared a meal of pit-smoked whole hog barbecue with writers from Mississippi. Their meal included freshly-baked cornbread, biscuits, pulled pork from the whole hog barbecue, sweet jerk chicken and brisket. Lamar Lounge closed in 2016 and reopened as Fat Eddie’s, but closed again in 2017.
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Bourdain was deeply moved by the American South, and the Mississippi Delta offered a profound look at the region’s enduring spirit and complex racial history. He respected the sheer perseverance of the people and the fact that their culinary traditions—born often out of hardship—are some of the most culturally significant in the country. This episode is historically important because it immortalized several legendary, old-school institutions, some of which have sadly since closed, capturing a way of life that is slowly fading. It serves as a love letter to the blues, the backroads, and the power of a shared meal. The next time you drive through the Deep South, roll down the windows, find a local joint, and order the tamales.
