Authentic Southern Comfort: Blue Plates

The tradition of the blue plate special is thought to officially go back to the 1920s when a thrifty and delicious meal was the perfect option for hungry and hardworking professionals.

Smothered steak, green beans, dressing and squash with a corn muffin at George's Museum Cafe

Over a hundred years later, it still generally consists of a meat and two or three sides with a drink and is a filling go-to for a quick lunch. Many spots in The City With Soul offer blue plate specials each weekday, and some even allow you to select from a list of sides.

GEORGE'S MUSEUM CAFE

Located in the LeFleur Museum District on the grounds of the Mississippi Ag Museum, George's has fresh and savory main and side options that utilize Mississippi flavors and ingredients. Meat-and-two or meat-and-three plate lunches are served buffet-style. Pop by for smothered steak and pulled chicken & dressing and stick around for a rotating list of sweets, cakes, and pies.

SUGAR'S PLACE DOWNTOWN

A true Jackson gathering spot, everyone loves Sugar's daily plate lunches that are as comforting as they are mouthwatering. baked chicken, fried pork chops, and chicken tetrazzini and sides are available for dine-in or pickup. Don't forget to satisfy your sweet tooth while you're there with desserts like baked honey bun cake.

Logan Farms

Known for their holiday hams and catering orders, Logan Farms also serves up delicious sandwiches and plate lunches. The daily offerings - prepared by Chef Rashanna Newsome - are extensive, so there’s sure to be something for everyone no matter when you go. We recommend trying their everyday selections like smoked chicken, bbq, and chicken & dumplings.

Saltine Restaurant & Oyster Bar

Saltine pairs blue plate classics with their special twist on sides during weekly lunch. Each day has a specific main (you can find us there on Mondays for the red beans & rice with hot andouille sausage), while the full side menu is available every day (you can't go wrong with the cajun broccoli and goat cheese grits). Served with cornbread.

Bully's Soul Food Restaurant
Credit: Rachel Bires

Bully's

Featured on Travel Channel and Food Network, Bully's is a James Beard award-winning favorite for some of the best soul food in town. Dig into plates piled high with choices like cheesy chicken tetrazinni, beef tips, and fried catfish alongside a selection of authentic Southern sides.

Walker's Drive-In

Known foremost for their quality cut steaks and Redfish Anna, Walker's more relaxed lunch menu still packs a punch, where you can enjoy classics like smothered pork chop and fried chicken & catfish. It's served with two veggies of your choice and a side salad.

HAL & MAL'S

Check out this Jackson institution's blackboard for their "sure-to-please, hefty-portioned, classic lunchtime specials" like gulf shrimp jambalaya and bbq brisket, rotating daily.

SCROOGE'S RESTAURANT & PUB

You'll want to make sure you've got time blocked out for a nap after digging into one of Scrooge's signature blue plate specials. While the neighborhood pub is known for its meat and side options throughout the week, Sunday is where its menu shines with proteins from pot roast to pork medallions to baked chicken. Sides range from savory to acidic with cornbread dressing and mac & cheese to cucumber and onion salad. Each order comes with three sides and a homemade cheese biscuit, cornbread, or hushpuppies.

CORNER MARKET

Every local knows Corner Market's deli department is an easy spot to grab a quick Blue Plate to-go. They have daily specials featuring their signature fried or baked chicken, and patrons can look forward to catfish every Friday. Three locations are conveniently located in the city (Fondren, Belhaven and North Jackson).

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Anne Marie Hanna

Author

Anne Marie Hanna

A Mississippi native, storytelling has always been an integral part of Anne Marie’s life and her upbringing in the American South. With degrees in Editorial Journalism and Southern Studies from the University of Mississippi, she finds inspiration helping us showcase The City of Soul’s stories as a writer for The Tell Agency. When she's not working, she can be found reading, curating new playlists, and enjoying time with friends and family.