City Grocery Beckons

For Labor Day weekend, I’ll be heading to Oxford, Mississippi  to attend my first Ole Miss football game and tailgate in The Grove.  Since I don’t know jack about football and I’m from the north, I’m definitely more excited about the tailgating spread and the people watching than about having to wear a dress to a football game or actually setting foot in the stadium. 

For any northern foodie looking to experience authentic regional food in a southern town, I’d definitely recommend Oxford as a close second to Charleston, South Carolina.  As far as great restaurants, there’s the L & M Kitchen and Salumeria, run by Batali-trained Dan Latham; the amazingly delicious chick-on-a-stick at the Chevron station at Lamar and University; Taylor Grocery for catfish and bluegrass in hillbilly ambience; Bottletree Bakery for Oprah-endorsed pastries; and The Beacon for breakfast with an attitude.  How many other diners have Confederate flag wallpaper and a sign that reads, “Naw, we ain’t got no sweet tea”?

I’m most looking forward to eating at City Grocery, where John Currence is allegedly trying out “pork rind crusted fried chicken,” according to the Southern Foodways Symposium information.   Hooray cholesterol!

Cadillac John at the City Grocery.