The Oldest Restaurant in Town – Mayflower Cafe Jackson, MS

It was a happy coincidence that the Mayflower cafe - oldest restaurant in the capital of Missisippi (Since 1935) was just 2 blocks from our hotel, so we hoofed it over there on a bright sunny morning and had an early lunch of some tasty seafood in this vintage restaurant.

I'm sure their vintage neon is a sight to behold at dusk - when all neon looks its prettiest, but it was nice to be there in the daylight to absorb all the details. Cool neon signage? Check. Glass block? Check. Mosaic fish mural? Check. Terrazzo anchor at the entrance? Check.

Vintage interior with random posters of The Beatles above the backsplash? Check!

Yep, we were in the right place, and even though it was before noon and we had a stop for food planned just a few hours south (see Mammy's Cupboard in Natchez) I was bound and determined to sample some seafood and maybe a salad with their famous "come-back" sauce. I ordered the special of the day so I could partake in both.

Here is my small salad with the famous comeback sauce dressing which is rumored to be popular in MS but in Jackson specifically. It tasted of mayonnaise, maybe cocktail sauce, and other secret ingredients (some say it's mayo, chili sauce, mustard and others.) It was pretty tasty, and a nice change from the standard dressings offered at most places. And hey, I actually ate a vegetable that wasn't fried!

Here's one of the many food shots from our trip- half eaten bread basket and RetroRoadhusband's oyster po-boy atop my delicious broiled fish (and somewhat uninspiring fries). What a heap of tasty fish! Buttery fresh fish goodness in every bite. Next road stop for food be damned, I thought, I'm finishing this fish!

Service was friendly and it was swell to see regulars, locals and out-of-towners coming in the door and keeping this place hopping. Glad we got there on the early side because it was quite busy by the time we left. Always good to see a vintage restaurant like this bustling with activity.

When we're in the area we'll definitely "come back" to the Mayflower Cafe!