A city with the name of Starkville, Mississippi, is a place you naturally want to make fun of. I know because I have. Yet, if you want a quaint destination teaming with young college life, this town is the place for you. It helps if you love Maroon and White and the Mississippi State bulldogs!
I’m a girl who plans her day around meal times. I’m sure there are a few of you out there who do the same! Naturally, I’m going to tell you a couple of my favorite Starkville locations to check out whether you’re passing through or hanging around for a Mississippi State University sports event.
With bare brick and wood supports, this coffee shop immediately put me at ease. Tall ceilings on the main floor, a basement that reminds me of a ship and a wine cellar at the same time, and an outside front porch offered plenty of choices for seating whether you wanted to hide away or people watch. The baristas welcomed me and helped me figure out an order. New coffee shops tend to overwhelm me as I try to take in all the different options. I settled on a creamy Dirty Chai in a mug and chose a cozy bench in the basement.
The retro sign plastered to the front of this little drive-thru with outdoor seating might not look like much, but don’t be fooled. If you love sweet, cool desserts, this custard is for you. This frozen custard shop can only be found in Mississippi, so this is why you can’t pass it up while in Starkville. It’ll make you regret all your stops to national ice cream chains. My favorite is the raspberry and cheesecake chunked Amazin’ Grace Concrete.
Someone’s old house with a screened-in porch has been renovated into a restaurant on a country road across from a cemetery. Long tables and benches create a homey, rustic ambiance. Divine smells of Southern cooking float throughout the air and every time a waitress appears you find yourself wishing for your neighbor table’s food. I dug into a mound of pulled pork and crispy French fries.
Tucked away at the end of Main Street in downtown Starkville, this little eatery with its Mediterranean colors and fresh made pita sandwiches transports you to a place where the sun always shines. Limitless choices of different sandwich combinations and then a pop machine that allows you to tailor your drink to whatever flavor you want. Don’t let this small shop fool you because it offers so many choices. I settled in for a savory falafel pita topped with spinach, cucumber sauce, and feta cheese.
Situated alongside train tracks, this warehouse-to-restaurant captures a big city vibe with hanging lanterns and lowered lights. The deep booths with high walls create a feeling of perfect privacy. A menu to please any type of eater, this restaurant is a delicious and classy option. The Uptown Burger, stacked with tomato, onion, lettuce, and bacon, coupled with a side of fries launches you to the status of pleasantly plump in no time.
If you’re from the North like I am, every Southern specialty is a novelty. I discovered that Sweet Tea is pretty good and McAlister’s Deli should be more of a National chain than primarily Southern. The other thing that I noticed in being in Starkville, Mississippi, is that everyone waves. It’s more friendly here.
What About You?
Do you have a favorite Southern food? Or have you visited any of the places that I name? Tell me what you think in the comments below!
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