Drago's Seafood Restaurant

As familiar as the Drago's name may be to people in Jackson, it's not because the restaurant—renowned for its "original chargrilled oysters"—is a big chain. In fact, some locals are surprised to learn that the Jackson restaurant is only one of three Drago's locations, along with the long-time Metairie, La. location and Drago's in the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

The Hilton Jackson partnered with the Cvitanovich family to build the Jackson Drago's. The restaurant receives deliveries every other day from their own Drago's trucks, ensuring that customers get the same fish, oysters, and lobster available in New Orleans.

In other words, Drago's on County Line Road is a truly authentic New Orleans dining experience right here in the City With Soul.

The kitchen at Drago's features a massive walk-in cooler out back, where a 2500-gallon open tank holds bushels of live lobsters that await their fate. Palettes of oysters sit in the next room kept fresh in the chilly air, with high stacks that typically disappear within hours.

When they opened the Jackson Drago's, Tommy Cvitanovich (son of founder Drago Cvitanovich) was heavily involved in the planning and training, and he remains hands-on with the food. Sauces and spices are created under Cvitanovich's supervision in the Metairie restaurant's commissary and trucked to Jackson with the seafood.

One key to their success is the low turnover at both Drago's and the Hilton Jackson. The hotel kitchen has staff members who have been there for 30 years, and 90 percent of the Drago's kitchen staff has remained since the opening over two years ago.

It's beneficial that Drago's (a 384-seat restaurant) and the Hilton Jackson (a 276-room hotel) share a parking lot. Hotel guests can order Drago's to their rooms, and meeting planners can use the back room of Drago's for presentations, parties, private dining or receptions—all while taking advantage of the audio-visual and other convention services offered by the hotel.

Drago's also offers "Drago's to Geaux"—a service that delivered to offices, medical practices and offers other off-premise catering options. Lisa Latimer, 769-218-7771, handles private dining and catering.