Hub dining: Just a few great places
Hungry? Diners can choose from 376 restaurants in the Hattiesburg area. For a complete listing, go to Search Hattiesburg at www. hattiesburgamerican.com, choose Yellow Pages and type "restaurants" in the search field.
Below is a sampling of just some of those 376.
FINE DINING 206 Front
206 Front St.
(601) 545-5677
One of Hattiesburg's favorite fancy destinations for everything from seared sea bass to portabello mushroom sandwiches.
· brownstone's
103 E. Front St.
601) 545-2250
New Orleans food is served in a laid-back but lovely atmosphere. Don't miss the gumbo.
Chesterfield's
2507 Hardy St.
{601) 582-2778
Hattiesburg's original sit-down dinner location is right across the street from USM, and serves up Southern food with a New Orleans flair.
Crechale's
6168 U.S. Highway 49
(601) 582-4860
Steaks meet Greek food at this local favorite. Call ahead for large parties to see if you qualify for the limo.
Crescent City Grill
3810 Hardy St.
(601) 264-0656
Sharing a building with the Purple Parrot Cafe and the Mahogany bar, this long-time local favorite dishes out affordable but delicious Creole and Cajun cuisine.
Purple Parrot Cafe
3810 Hardy St.
601) 264-0656
This Hattiesburg institution serves up contemporary Southern cuisine that relies on fresh, local, seasonal ingredients.
Season's
6555 U S Highway 98 # 1
(601) 450-4090
Located in the Newpointe shopping center, this dressy-casual bistro offers excellent sandwiches for lunch and elegant main courses for dinner.
Walnut Circle Grill
115 Walnut St
(601) 544-2202
Under the direction of executive chef Hoyt Tanner, this restaurant serves up creative noveau Italian with a touch of Southern flavor in a warm setting.
CHINESE, JAPANESE AND THAI
Golden Dragon
793 Highway 42, Petal
(601) 554-8485
It's a little bit of a drive, but this affordable Chinese restaurant makes it worth it. Be sure to try the Singapore Chow Mei Fun.
Little Tokyo
3800 Hardy St.
(601) 579-8666
Hattiesburg's newest Japanese restaurant offers adventurous dishes in beautiful presentations.
Peking Garden Chinese Restaurant
4700 Hardy St.
(601) 271-6000
If you like Chinese food, sushi and crab's legs, all in buffet form, then get thee to the Peking Garden, ASAP.
Sake Cafe
24 Cross Creek Road
(601) 296-7588
Although it can be a little pricey, everyone says this sushi powerhouse is worth it.
· Sakura
6149 U.S. Highway 49
(601) 545-9393
Locals flock to this converted house, located across the street from USM, for their favorite rolls and cheap lunch specials.
· Suwana's
910 Timothy Lane
(601) 584-8583
This small Thai joint makes everything from excellent Phat Thai to four varieties of curry and, as a bonus, they carve their lemons into tiny slugs (seriously.)
ITALIAN
· Bianchi's Pizzeria
128 E Front St
(601) 450-1263
One of Hattiesburg's newest dining venues, this gourmet pizzeria serves up everything from simple slices of cheese to seafood masterpieces. Check for live music on weekends.
· Il Pomodori Hand-Crafted Italian Cuisine
4960 Hardy St
(601) 264-8602
Don't let the humble gas station exterior fool you - inside, lush curtains drown out the outside world and rich entrees prove well worth the occasionally high prices
· Fiorella's Italian Restaurant
61444 U.S. 98 West
(601) 268-6436
This new venue straddles the line between casual and fine-dining.
· Panino's
3801 Hardy St
(601) 264-0605
This Hattiesburg classic serves up homestyle Italian in a charming atmosphere.
MEXICAN AND LATIN
· Cuco's
6104 U S Highway 49
(601) 545-8241
Another Hattiesburg tradition, Cuco's dishes up traditional Mexican food with delicate flavors and incredibly generous portions.
· El Mariachi Loco
519 Highway 42, Petal
(601) 545-2444
If you're craving an enormous Mexican lunch for under $5, this is the place. We can highly recommend the bowl of cheese dip, which instead of a garish orange is a soothing cream color.
· El Rancho
5307 Old Highway 11
(601) 264-7326
Another stellar deal at lunch, El Rancho is an Oak Grove stand-out.
· La Fiesta Brava
4400 Hardy St.
(601) 271-6070
6174 U.S. Highway 49
(601) 584-9484
Margaritas, friendly service and reasonable prices make Fiesta Brava one of the favorites.
BARBECUE AND SOUTHERN
· Conestoga Steak House
6313 U S Highway 49
(601) 264-8816
If you have the money to drop on a steak, then by all means, do it here. You will not go home hungry or dissatisfied.
· Divine Swine BBQ
3100 Hardy St.
(601) 264-1116
The smoked rib plate is a tremendous deal at $8.96 for six bones and two sides.
· Leatha's Bar-B-Que Inn
6374 U.S. 98 West
(601) 271-6003
Pork ribs are the most popular item on the menu, but people rave about everything from this South Mississippi legend.
· The Movie Star Restaurant
5772 US Highway 11, Purvis
(601) 794-8007
It's off the beaten path, but this former lingerie factor has an excellent buffet, with mashed potatoes that would seem to be equal parts butter and deliciousness.
· Mugshots
3803 W 4th St.
(601) 271-2299
They say that Mugshots serves the best burgers in town. Stick around for some local live music.
· Rose's Bar BQ and Catering
4697 U.S. 49 South
(601) 584-8691
The pork sandwiches fly out of the kitchen, as do the drumettes, pork ribs and chicken on a stick
· Strick's Bar-B-Q and Catering
3802 W. 4th St.
(601) 264-2502
Their sausage and drumettes are top-notch tailgate food.
Who's on your list?
Go to Search Hattiesburg at www.hattiesburgamerican.com to find 376 restaurants to sample.
Tell other readers where you think the great dining experiences in Hattiesburg.
·Who has the best gumbo?
·Who has great service?
·Where can college students actually afford to eat?
Go to our fourms at www.hattiesburgamerican.com and start your own list.
Kelly W. Brown
staff
Copyright (c) Hattiesburg American. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc.
