I admit it. I often write about restaurants to which there’s some nostalgia attached. The ones that remain in my thoughts and tug on my heartstrings are places I frequented years ago when I first moved to Jackson. Many, like Bennigan’s, Steak and Ale, Dennery's, Pasquale’s Pizza, Gridley’s and Red, Hot and Blue barbecue places, and, everyone’s favorite, Olde Tyme Deli, to name a few, departed long ago from the Jackson landscape. However, a few long-time eateries are still around to rekindle special memories and create favorite dishes. Scrooge’s Restaurant and Pub has moved from its original location on I55 North near Northside Drive but, thank goodness, it’s still serving many Scrooge's fans favorite dishes just down the road.
As mentioned, Scrooge’s quickly became a favorite gathering spot for me and my friends a couple of decades ago. Climbing the stairs to the second-story brick restaurant overlooking the busy interstate was a regular occurrence. While we waited for our food, we amused ourselves by drawing with the crayons found on every paper-colored table. I still don’t know how or why the owners of Scrooge’s came up with this unique entertainment, but it was something every diner, young and old, couldn’t resist. Once a Scrooge-Burger arrived, though, crayons were ditched. Diving into the thick, juicy burger became the main thing on our minds.
I was sad when the original location closed, but excited to learn it later reopened a few blocks down on Ridgewood Road. My excitement turned to joy when I spotted the infamous Scrooge-Burger on the menu. Unlike most things from the past that never quite live up to our memories, it was still the over-loaded and totally delicious burger I remembered.
Loaded with cheeses, bacon, sautéed onions, mushroom gravy, chili, lettuce, and tomato, the Scrooge-Burger ($12.95) is so big you’ll need a pile of napkins to tackle the mammoth burger. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. If you’re a former Scrooge’s patron and haven’t tasted its signature burger in awhile, just know that some things never change – in short, you won’t be disappointed.
If a smaller burger is more to your liking, there’s an eight-ounce burger ($8.95) which can be enhanced with bacon, cheese and all the toppings of the Scrooge-Burger for an additional charge.
Thank goodness, an old-time favorite, the French dip ($9.95), is still on the menu. Delicious New Orleans-style Gambino bread is topped with succulent roast beef and cheese and served with savory au jus.
Other favorite Scrooge’s sandwiches were – and still are – Chicken Dickens ($10.95), fried or grilled chicken enhanced with cheese, bacon, lettuce, and tomato; classic club ($10.95), Reuben on rye ($10.95) and shrimp and oyster poboys ($12.95-$13.95).
As you’d expect from a restaurant with the word “pub” attached, Scrooge’s offers an above-average lineup of appetizers to be enjoyed in the bar area or as a delicious start to your meal.
A perennial favorite back in the day was Scrooge’s loaded nachos. And yes, they’re still on the menu. A huge platter of tortilla chips loaded with chili, cheese, sour cream, salsa, and other vegetable toppings is a bargain at $9.95.
If you’re a wing-lover, select Scrooge’s version, served in flavors like buffalo, mango habanero, teriyaki, sweet chili pepper and others. A pound of wings ($12) come with celery sticks and blue cheese or ranch dressing.
Other crowd favorites are loaded fries ($5.95), fried jalepenos ($6.95), catfish fingers ($8.95) and sausage and cheese plate ($11.95), to list just a few.
Scrooge’s is almost known for delicious steaks, chicken dishes, and seafood. A few standouts are beef tenderloin filet ($29.95), ribeye ($16.95-$18.95), shrimp plate ($14.95) and chicken angel ($12.95; $14.95 with shrimp).
Looking for a hearty lunch? Scrooge’s offers daily lunch specials for $8.95 that include a meat, two sides, and bread. Entrees include grilled or fried chicken, chicken fried steak and gravy, roast and gravy, pork chops, fried or blackened fish, and many other Southern favorites.
Blue plate specials ($10.95) come with sides and bread and include hamburger steak, chicken breast and chicken fried steak.
Scrooge’s also offers a variety of homemade soups and salads, including my favorite, the blackened shrimp salad ($12.95), but once you’ve spotted the Scrooge-Burger being delivered to a nearby table, it’s hard to select lighter fare.
Scrooge’s is located at 5829 Ridgewood Road. Parking is located behind the building. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m., seven days a week. Sunday’s closing time is 9 p.m., 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.