Fried Green Tomatoes in Jackson Mississippi
The open road has a way of clearing the mind, and as we set out from Memphis toward New Orleans, we carried with us the lingering tension of a night spent monitoring tornado warnings in Mississippi. Tornado season in the South is nothing to take lightly, and the relentless pings of weather alerts had made sleep elusive. Coupled with flash floods in Memphis, two power outages at our hotel, and a weather related fire that broke out from across from our hotel room window we were feeling a bit unsettled. But as morning broke, the skies opened up in a crisp, brilliant blue—a welcome signal that it was safe to continue our journey.
The drive south from Memphis is as much a cultural passage as it is a physical one. The Mississippi Delta stretches out like a patchwork quilt of history and heritage. Rolling fields, quiet towns. That morning, the sunshine seemed to gild everything it touched, turning what could have been an anxious stretch of highway into something serene.
Our first major stop was Jackson, Mississippi, a little more than halfway to New Orleans. Hungry from the road and craving something substantial, we decided on The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen for lunch. Nestled in the heart of Jackson, this spot had come highly recommended for its inventive take on Southern classics as was one of only a handful of restaurants open on Sunday in Jackson. The restaurant’s bright atmosphere and welcoming staff immediately put us at ease after a night of weather-related worry.
The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen
Address | 1200 N State St #100, Jackson, MS 39202
We started with the fried green tomatoes topped with lump crab meat. The dish is quintessentially Southern, the tang of the tomatoes balanced perfectly by the richness of the crab. It was a bite that seemed to distill the flavors of Mississippi onto one plate. Despite the large serving, we went on and next, tried their Huevos Rancheros—a surprising choice for a Southern eatery but executed flawlessly. The eggs were well cooked, the salsa vibrant, and this meal was hearty enough to fuel the rest of our drive. By the time we were ready to leave, we felt rejuvenated, both from the food and the stellar service that made us feel like regulars, even on our first visit.
Back on the road, the miles seemed to fly by as we transitioned from Mississippi into Louisiana. The scenery shifted subtly but unmistakably, with more bayous and waterways weaving into the landscape. By the time we approached the outskirts of New Orleans, the golden light of late afternoon had begun to cast long shadows, painting everything in warm, honeyed hues.
New Orleans welcomed us with its own unmistakeable unique energy, the promise of live jazz and late-night beignets hanging in the air like a whisper. The tension of the night before had been replaced with a deep appreciation for the journey—for the clear skies, the unexpected culinary delights, and the beauty of the South in all its complexity. We had made it, and the road had left its mark on us in the best way possible.
