by Paige McKay
Now more than ever, local restaurants need our support whether you're dining in again or still ordering take out or delivery. Today is National Eat Local Day, so here are some of my favorite locally owned restaurants around the state to visit and support on National Eat Local Day and every day.
10th Inning Bar & Grill - Southaven
Whether it's lunch or dinner, casual drinks, a meet up with friends or even weekend brunch, 10th Inning is the perfect spot for all of the above. Located in the heart of Southaven, this sports bar is one of my favorite places to grab a bite any day of the week.
As an appetizer, I almost always go for their Sausage and Cheese Plate (pictured right). It might actually be my favorite sausage and cheese plate at any restaurant, and it's so big it can even be your meal. This platter comes with sausage, three different cheeses, pimento cheese, fried pickles and spicy seasoned Saltine crackers - my favorite part. These crackers are truly addicting. I also love the Boom Boom Shrimp appetizer, and other apps include chicken wings, giant soft pretzel or pulled pork nachos - also large enough to be a meal.
For a main course, you can't go wrong with the basic chicken tenders and fries. You can even get the tenders tossed in your favorite sauce for a more exciting chicken tender dinner. If you want something a little more exciting, opt for their catfish or shrimp platter with hush puppies and your choice of side, pimento cheese sandwich, a Philly cheese sandwich (chicken or steak), chicken sandwich or one of their assorted pizzas.
Most of the food at 10th Inning is typical bar food, but it's much more elevated and flavorful than your usual sports bar fare. Also a must-try is their burgers that come served between two grilled cheese sandwiches. Or, if you want a classic burger, that's an option, too. 10th Inning also offers daily specials that are off the menu - just ask or check out their Facebook page for specials.
If you happen to stop in on a Saturday or Sunday morning, be sure to ask to see their brunch menu. They offer several brunch favorites, and each weekend, they also offer "Pancakes of the Weekend." Flavors have ranged anywhere from Heath Bar Chocolate to Cinnamon Roll, Strawberry, Chocolate Chip and Oreo.
If you're ever in DeSoto county or passing through on your way to the Memphis area, 10th Inning is worth stopping in for a quick, inexpensive and delicious meal. 10th Inning is located at 5960 Getwell Road, Suite 124. They are open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and till midnight on Sundays.
Kristo's Amerigreek - Madison
I love going to Kristo's for amazing Greek-inspired meals and to hang out on their back deck. I have been going here since high school, and I love it every single time.
Their menu is packed with awesome appetizers, pitas, salads and po' boys and burgers. If you love French fries, snack on their loaded fries as an appetizer. These homemade curly fries are topped with cheddar cheese, melted cheese, bacon and green onions. The serving is large enough to share, but I doubt you'll want to share with anyone because they're that good.
Other appetizers include Greek meatballs, falafel, feta cheese plate, pita mozzarella, Greek nachos, dolmas (grape leaves), hummus or the hummus sampler - also one of my favorites. This sampler comes with three different hummus flavors and warm pita bread.
As a main course, I love their Hot Buffalo Chicken Pita, the Grilled Chicken Pita or the Chicken Gyro. The buffalo chicken pita (pictured; courtesy of Krito's) comes with chicken dripping in buffalo sauce, lettuce, tomato and feta sauce. I highly suggest an extra feta sauce for dipping. The Grilled Chicken Pita and Chicken Gyro, though they sound similar, are both delicious in their own right. The Grilled Chicken Pita comes with marinated grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, and feta cheese, while the Chicken Gyro includes a more traditional chicken gyro meat, lettuce, onions, tomato, and tzatziki sauce. Other pitas include BLT, Roast Beef, Ham and Cheese, BBQ Chicken, Philly Cheese, a classic Gyro, Falafel, Shrimp, and lots of other tasty pitas.
If I'm in the mood for a salad, their Greek salad is one of my favorites in the area. It comes piled high with cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, kalamata olives and feta cheese. I usually opt for the half salad because it's that big. Other salads include the house salad, gyro salad, redfish salad, grilled chicken salad, Kristo's salad, cran-chicken salad and shrimp salad.
Anytime someone asks me where to eat in the Madison area, Kristo's is always at the top of my list of suggestions. I love visiting when I'm home, and their food is always fantastic. Kristo's is located at 971 Madison Avenue, and they are open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.
Two Brothers Smoked Meats - Starkville
Two Brothers opened in the Cotton District when I was at Mississippi State in 2014, and it quickly became my favorite restaurant in Starkville. They recently opened a brand new location in the Cotton District, and they're serving up the same delicious dishes and more. As the name suggests, Two Brothers specializes in smoked meats like pork, chicken, duck and brisket.
My favorite appetizer at Two Bros is their BBQ Pulled Pork Cheese Fries. These fries come piled high with pulled pork, BBQ sauce, picked red cabbage, jalapeños and Rotel cheese sauce. These are enough to share as an app, or you can even make it your meal if you're feeling wild.
For my main meal, my absolute favorite thing on the menu is their Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese. This grilled cheese sandwich is packed with pulled pork, gouda and cheddar cheeses, jalapeños and pickled cabbage. Add a side of their sweet potato fries and ranch, and you've got my favorite meal in Starkville. Other yummy meals include the classic Pulled Pork Sandwich, Chicken Bacon and White BBQ Sandwich (pictured, courtesy of Two Brothers), Smoked Chicken Salad Sandwich, Smoked Tenderloin Sliders, Smoked Duck Sliders and lots of other flavorful sandwiches.
Two Brothers is also known for their street tacos, smoked chicken wings, pork rind nachos and burgers. They also offer different specials each week, and you can find these tasty specials on their Facebook page. Sunday brunch is also a must-do at Two Brothers with different biscuit creations and, of course, mimosas and Bloody Mary's.
Two Brothers is located at 621 University Drive in Starkville and is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; closed on Mondays.