Mississippians seem to be looking for places to visit for short day trips where they can take in a good meal.
A city that fits both criteria is the state’s sixth largest city, Meridian. The city is conveniently located at the crossroads of the I-20/I-59 corridor about 90 minutes from Jackson, making it a convenient drive from almost anywhere.
Founded in the 1860s as a railroad town, Meridian has evolved into a bustling place filled with cultural and historical places to visit, natural beauty to explore and plenty of great places to eat.
No visit to Meridian is complete without a stop at Weidmann's, the state’s oldest restaurant. Opened in 1870 by Swiss chef Felix Weidmann, the restaurant is destination dining at its finest, famous for individual crocks of peanut butter at each table and its signature black bottom pie.
Weidmann’s menu is filled with quality comfort food and Southern classics, but first, here are a few can’t-miss attractions.
You have to see (and ride if you’d like), the world’s only two-row stationary Dentzel Menagerie Carousel in Highland Park. Colorful carousel horses are also spread throughout the city, several museums, including one dedicated to the Father of Country Music, Jimmie Rodgers, tours of historic Temple Theatre and Merrehope Victorian estate and outdoor adventures at Bonita Lakes and Dunn’s Falls.
Prepare to be transported back in time
When you’ve worked up an appetite, walk through the heavy doors of Weidmann’s in historic downtown Meridian and be transported back in time courtesy of white-clothed tables, exposed brick walls and hardwood floors, elegant mirrors and historic photos.
Once seated in eitherthe well-appointed main dining room or on the upstairs balcony overlooking downtown, dip a cracker into creamy peanut butter, a staple since the 1940s. During World War II, butter was short, so the owner substituted peanut butter in earthenware crocks. It was popular addition that remains part of the Weidmann’s experience.
Travel, eat in Mississippi:Revel in this town's Southern charm, then top your venture at Stacy's Skillet
Weidmann’s serves a Sunday jazz brunch as well as lunch and dinner throughout the week. Since lunch is the only time I’ve visited, I’ll share that menu, with a few highlights from the others.
Weidmann’s appetizers are as appetizing as main entrees, so there’s really no way to select just one from the among choices that includes fried green tomatoes, a Weidmann’s specialty served with Comeback dressing ($8.95),smoked salmon with toast points ($13.95), lobster and shrimp spring rolls ($14.95) and homemade soups.
I’d recommend pairing a serving of Weidmann’s famous gumbo ($5.95-$7.95) with a loaded crab cake ($13.95) topped with crabmeat Belvedere and melted Fontina cheese.
Shrimp and grits a specialty
Entrees run the gamut from seafood, pork and steak dishes, but perhaps none is as popular as a Weidmann’s specialty, shrimp and grits ($16.95). Stone ground grits are slow cooked with butter and cheddar, then topped with fresh shrimp, ham, tomatoes, peppers, onion and a light cream sauce. It’s a spectacular dish that raises the bar for similar variations.
Other selections include trout Almandine ($17.95), catfish Belvedere ($19.95), redfish Hannah ($20.95) and ribeye with onion strings ($25.95).
Fan of steak?:T-Bones Steakhouse specializes in steaks, but seafood, burgers and more on the menu, too.
The menu includes a variety of pasta dishes and meat and seafood salads, including my favorite, shrimp remoulade ($13.95). Felix’s Special ($16.95) pays homage to the founder by pairing his favorite shrimp remoulade salad with a grilled pimento cheese and applewod bacon sandwich on sour dough bread.
Speaking of sandwiches, there are plenty from which to choose. Selections include Felix’s mushroom Swiss burger ($11.95), muffaletta ($14.95), sourdough BLT ($9.95) and Weidmann’s blue cheese and bacon burger ($11.95).
Top it all off with a piece of pie
After a Weidmann’s lunch, it’s hard to imagine ordering dessert. However, you can’t leave without sampling Weidmann’s famous black bottom pie ($6.95), I’m not sure about the modern-day version, but a vintage online recipe contains gingersnaps, scalded milk, layers of custard and chocolate, a dash or two or whiskey and a crown of meringue scattered with chocolate shavings. Today, it’s still decadent, delicious and a must-try ending to a memorable meal.
Weidmann’s dinner menu is similar, with seafood, pasta and steak additions like shrimp scampi ($18.95), fire-roasted shrimp ($22.95) and Kobe filet ($37.95), among others.
Brunch is served on Sunday and includes a variety of dishes served during the week, along with traditional brunch items like eggs or crab cakes Benedict ($15.95-$17.95), grillades and grits ($19.95), steak and eggs ($19.95) and a dish of which Elvis would undoubtedly order, peanut butter and banana waffle ($11.95).
Kara Kimbrough is a freelance food and travel writer from Mississippi. Contact her at kkprco@yahoo.com.
If you go
- What: Weidmann’s
- Where: 210 22nd Ave., Meridian
- When:11 a.m.- 9:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday;11 a.m.– 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.Sunday jazz brunch.
- Contact: 601-581-5770 orweidmanns1870.com.
