Around The World: A food tour of Jackson
By Courtney searcy
FEATURED IN VOL 6, ISSUE 1: Around the table
I love a good recommendation. If you can tell me what you love and why you love it, chances are it will open me up to trying a new dish I wouldn’t have tried on my own. Chronic indecision? Let someone else decide for you.
The Jackson International Food and Art Festival has given us the chance to experience more food from the International community, and every year I look forward to making my way down the street lined with vendors and sampling a little something of everything.
My favorite moment of the festival is the parade, when every culture represented takes to the street in their traditional clothing, music playing and the streets full of dancing and cheers. It’s a glimpse of our city in all of its fullness, and a vision of hope for unity in the future. Many of the vendors present have restaurants here in Jackson we can support all year long, so I asked my Facebook friends recommend their favorite dishes from these restaurants. While many of our travel plans are on hold, take it as a chance to branch out to a new dish or two.
Jamaican & African Cuisine Jerk chicken. Kevin Adelsberger put me on this place a few years ago and it is one of my favorites. Food is amazing. Nothing else like it in Jackson and the owners are so kind and appreciative every time I visit. Love them and this place! Ryan Porter
I was nervous to branch out and ate there everyday last week. Jerk chicken, Rice & Beans, Cabbage. Spinach soup is pretty good too. Brian James
Sakura is my favorite restaurant anywhere, hands down. I love their mermaid salad, the quail eggs, and the shitake mushroom rolls. I have warm memories of going there with my friends and family for years. It was the go-to “fancy” date for me and my husband when we were dating. I go there any time I go to Jackson for a visit and it never fails to feel like just another piece of being home. Heather Wyatt Dozier
The tacos al pastor from Takos Borukas are absolutely insane. Jesse Perkins
Mediterranean Cuisine Shwarma Beef Platter. The meat is seasoned to perfection. The saffron rice is killer, and where else in town can you get some saffron rice? The pita and hummus is amazing. Everything is top notch! Kelsey Meadows
Tako Supremo is our favorite taco. Be sure to get the fresh cilantro, onion and lime no matter what you order. Tops off everything perfectly. The family i s so kind and they make you feel appreciated when you walk in. they are also on top of their service.
El Mariachi They have the best quesadillas in town. So we think. Excellent service with a smile. Best bang for your buck. Dawn Measley Carlton
The A&S International Food Market has the best gyros and tzatziki sauce and the people there are the most genuine. I have the most enjoyable conversations anytime I go in there and the food is incredible. Marianne Hawes
I love the Phoenix roll at Asia Garden, and Thai Cafe shrimp with lobster sauce. The food is fantastic & seasoned according to your desired spice level, and the portion sizes are on the generous side of gigantic. Alfred Custer
La Cubanita I love their chicken empanada and tostones rellenos. The owners are so sweet and the food is always great. Lisa Garner
Sizzler Shrimp Mala Curry is probably my favorite dish in all of Jackson. I’ve tried to recreate it myself and have gotten pretty close but never quite the same! Angel Hodgin
La Michochana I have a sweet tooth, so the popsicles are a go-to treat for me. I’m a big fan of the avocado flavor, if you’re looking to try something new. Courtney Searcy
Thai Cafe Shrimp fired rice. Seriously one of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten. Super consistent, so flavorful, and prepared with so much love. I adore the chef and staff. Such a safe, warm place to hang. Katie Howerton
Los Portales Enchiladas Suiza - one of each. The cheese sauce, green salsa, and filling variety cannot be beat! Los Portales is a staple in Jackson. The service is always friendly, the food is quick, they use quality ingredients, and it is always delicious! Allison Erath Shipp
González Papuseria The pupusas, such a great good. They are a traditional street food in El Salvador. Make sure you get some of the pickled cabbage too. González is a very welcoming place, and everything they have is delicious. I also very much like to order plantains with refried beans and sour cream. La Bamba is an under-appreciated hole in the wall. While it is mainly a Hispanic grocery store, they also have hot food and a small seating area (actually all the Hispanic groceries in Jackson are like this). I recommend a Baleada Especial, it’s a traditional Honduran breakfast served in a flour tortilla. John Mark Maust
Courtney Searcy is the Program Director of Our Jackson Home at theCO. Jackson became home after she graduated from Union University in 2014, where she studied Graphic Design and Journalism. She thinks the best things in life are porch swings, brunch, art, music, and friends to share it all with.