by Kara Kimbrough
A favorable beach rating usually occurs on the Gulf Coast. However, one of our state parks is listed in the “Top 25 Best Park Beaches in the U.S." by Reserve America. Lake Lincoln State Park in Wesson features a sandy beach fronting its namesake 550-acre lake. Nearby, Betty’s Eat Shop in Brookhaven is the perfect place to dine after a morning of swimming or afternoon of fishing and boating.
There’s a lot to do at Lake Lincoln, but first, check out the amazing lake and beach. Whatever your pleasure – jet skiing, swimming, water skiing, boating or fishing – the lake is large enough to accommodate it all. Or, simply relax on the sand and enjoy the cool breezes floating over the water. The park is filled with hardwood trees that provide shade in the summer and colorful foliage in spring and fall months.
If you decide to stay overnight, there are plenty of options, including 71 RV campsites, three cottages and a cabin.
The park also boasts a picnic area, nature trail, playground, volleyball court, disk golf and a non-denominational Sunday worship service during the summer.
When it’s time for a refreshing lunch or relaxing dinner, drive in to Brookhaven and settle into a cozy table at Betty’s Eat Shop in the historic downtown area. But don’t let the quaint name fool you; Betty’s is the antithesis of a 50s diner. Fresh, innovative entrees share space with home-cooked vegetables and desserts on a small, but ever-changing menu.
For lunch, the menu is filled with interesting dishes like PB & H Sando - translation: pork belly and ham sandwich topped with chopped vegetables, sauces and white cheddar ($12). It's hard to choose from among fried green tomato BLT ($12), Betty’s burger ($9), chicken on a stick with comeback sauce ($10), spicy fried chicken sando ($12) and chopped salad ($8).
If you haven’t experienced a good, old-fashioned Southern lunch lately, you’re in luck. Daily specials rotate from among country fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy, fried pork chops with broccoli and cheese casserole and vegetables, smoked redfish sandwich topped with barbecued fried onions and fried chicken kale salad tacos.
Stop by for dinner and the new updated menu offers a larger variety of creative dishes ranging from salads to entrees, from pasta to seafood.
Just a sample of the house favorites include shrimp and grits ($24), meatballs al forno ($18), braised pork and rice grits ($21) and redfish topped with lemon herb dressing ($26).
Beginning the meal with New Orleans barbecued shrimp with French bread ($11) boudin balls with comeback sauce ($8) and chopped or asparagus salad ($7-$8) will set the stage for a memorable Betty's experience.
If You Go:
What: Betty’s Eat Shop
Where: 126 S. Whitworth Avenue, Brookhaven
When: Closed Sunday and Monday; open Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 8:30 p.m. for dinner; open for dinner on Saturday, 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Contact: 601.265.2525
What: Lake Lincoln State Park
Where: 2573 Sunset Road NE, Wesson
Contact: 601.643.9044
Website: lakelincolnstatepark@wfp.ms.gov.