Clarksdale, Mississippi has been a center for blues culture
since the 1920s.
Its location
as a transportation hub—where
Highways 61 and 49 connect,
where the Illinois Central and other railroads maintained depots
and
passenger terminals, and where
the Greyhound Bus Company
built a
station—made Clarksdale
an economic boom town. Flush
times
created audiences with money to spend for entertainment,
and
the blues flourished in the city.
Many now-legendary musical
artists
were born and raised in and around Clarksdale: Muddy
Waters,
John Lee Hooker, Son House,
Ike Turner, Jackie Brenston,
Sam Cooke,
Junior Parker, and W. C. Handy, among them. Clarksdale
was a major
market for the Delta’s
constantly traveling musicians,
and the likes of
Robert Johnson, Howlin’ Wolf, and Charley
Patton are also associated
with the city. Today, that historic
blues culture is preserved for
visitors
while contemporary
musicians carry on the great Delta blues tradition.
To download a color Delta Blues Museum brochure (PDF file), click here
To download a black and white Delta Blues Museum brochure (PDF file), click here
Clarksdale offers a surprising variety of dining fare, from Southern
staples (catfish, BBQ)
to the unexpected (healthy
salads, tamales), and
an
equal variety of settings,
from funky to fancy. There’s
something delicious
for every taste and budget. Some caveats:
call ahead—the hours at many places
depend on whether business
is jumping or not. Also, there’s no “no smoking”;
if
you’re used to eating without cigarette smoke, be sure
and ask for whatever “no smoking” seating is available.
And this is the South: you’ll just have to enjoy some very
tasty but distinctly fattening
dishes; exercise vigorously
when you get back home.
• Blues Berry Café, Bakery, and Deli
Some breakfast and lunch basics: pastries, bread, pizza,
and sandwiches. (662) 627-7008 www.bluesberryrocks.com
• Delta Amusement Blues Café
Plate lunches, chili-cheeseburgers, hearty breakfasts,
and lots of Delta attitude make this a downtown favorite.
(662) 627-1467
• Dutch Oven An Amish bakery, with
tasty pastries, cakes, and pies, and a lunchtime café
during the week, with yummy sandwiches and savory soups.
Saturday morning, there’s a breakfast serving. (662)
621-9766
• Ground Zero Blues Club This
restaurant-bar-club delivers lots of juke joint atmosphere
along with its down home food, served up for lunch and
dinner. Lunch Monday through Saturday: dinner and live
music Wednesday through Saturday (662) 621-9009 www.groundzerobluesclub.com
• Lady at the Levee Named in honor
of Sarah Moore, "Miss Sarah" of Sarah's Kitchen, this
restaurant features delicious seafood and other tasty
dishes. Lady at the Levee is located in downtown Clarksdale.
Open for lunch Wednesday through Sunday and for dinner
Wednesday through Saturday 4:00pm - 12:00am Walk-ins and
reservations welcome. 313 Sunflower (662) 627-3395
• Madidi This sophisticated “fine
dining” restaurant, co-owned by local attorney Bill
Luckett and actor Morgan Freeman, offers a delicious menu
in an equally tasteful setting. Reservations recommended.
(662) 627-7770 www.madidires.com
• Oxbow A funky joint opened by
two locals who went away and came back to Clarksdale to
embrace good people, good food, and good fun! Breakfast
Coming Soon.
Open for lunch Tuesday-Saturday 11:00am - 2:00pm. 115
Third Street (662) 627-6781
•
RUST Restaurant RUST is about real food and drink, eclectic art,
hospitality and service. At RUST, our "Progressive Southern" style of cooking features fresh,
creative dishes infused with the Delta's rich cultural traditions. With an interior comprised
almost entirely of local artists and lost, forgotten or discarded relics from around Coahoma
County, RUST is about Clarksdale and the Delta.
Private Party? Our White Room accommodates up to 14 and
our heated Porch accommodates up to 30, plus we're happy
to open on an off night -- please call for availability.
Open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday, Kitchen open
Wednesday through Thursday, 6:00pm - 9:00pm and Friday
through Saturday 6:00pm - 10:00pm; Bar open 6:00pm until
? (662) 624-4784
• Stone Pony Pizza Serves homemade,
New York style pizza, calzones, salads, appetizers and
homemade desserts. Its Brick Bar offers a full bar
and an array of draft and bottle beers, in a casual, well-lit
atmosphere, with tables, stools, and couches and televisions.
Monday through Wednesday from 4:00pm until 10:00pm; and
Thursday through Sunday from 11:00am until ?? 226 Delta
Avenue (662) 624-7669
• Abe’s Bar BQ Pork, beef,
chicken, and gallons of BBQ sauce, what else? (662) 624-9947;
www.abesbbq.com
• Hicks Famous Hot Tamales and More
Spicy Delta-style tamales plus “more”: catfish
and BBQ. (662) 624-9887 www.hickstamales.com
• Ramon’s Presents zesty
“family-style” Italian menu in an unassuming
neighborhood restaurant and bar. (662) 624-9230
• Resthaven Serves Italian, American,
and Lebanese dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
(662) 624-8601
• The Ranchero Meat lover’s
delight: steaks, BBQ, and seafood. (662) 624-9768
• Farraday’s At the nearby
Isle of Capri Casino, this restaurant serves up prime
rib, certified Angus steaks, and succulent lobster in
a relaxed atmosphere of casual elegance. (800) THE-ISLE
• Uncle Henry’s Place and Inn
The ground floor of this Moon Lake B & B is a quintessentially
Louisiana-style restaurant, from its timeless décor
to its Creole-influenced menu. Reservations recommended.
(662) 337-2757 www.unclehenrysplace.com