The Ole Tavern (416 George St, Jackson) manages to have a good bar atmosphere and a good restaurant atmosphere at the same time.  It has a pub-like feel, with a lot of dark wood and brick, plus high ceilings and big windows.  I appreciate that the place feels like it’s trying without trying too hard.

Despite the photo above, it was bustling when we went for lunch on a Tuesday; only the bar was empty.  My coworker ordered the King George’s Burger from the specials board.  It was huge, and came …

I’d driven by Campbell’s Bakery (3013 N. State St, Jackson) hundreds of times, always thinking it was cute but never in the market for baked goods.  When they started serving lunch earlier this year, I finally had a reason to go.

I’ve been twice for lunch and really liked it both times.  Last time, I had a turkey sandwich.  The menu says the turkey is “marinated with our own seasonings,” and those seasonings stood out more than I’d expected they would.  I caught some rosemary, and the overall effect was nicely …

If you’re bored, I recommend searching the internet for comments about Room Service (4107 Northview Dr., Jackson).  People love it or hate it, and the haters get pretty passionate about it — but most of the hatred relates to service, not food.  Apparently the owner and employees don’t really have a “customer is always right” kind of attitude.  But my coworkers and I have gotten food here three times and haven’t experienced Room Service’s legendary rudeness.  Even if we had, I’m pretty sure we would keep going back for the food.

Of …

Koinonia Coffee House (136 S. Adams St, Jackson) is in a big yellow house on the edge of downtown Jackson.  Inside, it is charming and pleasant, and is exactly the kind of coffee house I always looked for as a student: quiet, well-lit, and with plenty of comfortable places to study.  There were two larger rooms with tables, but I preferred a side room that felt like a well-decorated living room and included this cute nook.

I apologize for going to a coffee house and not reviewing the coffee, but I …

Mimi’s Family & Friends (3139 N. State St, Jackson) is the newest occupant of the gas-station-turned-optometrist’s-office at the north end of Fondren on State Street.  The space converts surprisingly well to a restaurant, though it still has a bit of an office feel (mainly in the carpets).  The interior is larger than I expected, with several tables and a couch in a couple of different nooks.  The shaded tables outside are great–I wish they had more.  Inside, the atmosphere is extremely friendly and familial (which I just typed without even thinking …

I like meat as much as, or more than, the next girl.  In fact, I’ve been known to wrinkle my nose at the suggestion of a meat-free meal or restaurant (much the same way I wrinkle my nose about melons, which is probably the only food that grosses me out).  So when I went to Cool Al’s (4654 McWillie Dr, Jackson), which is famous for its burgers, it took some high praise (and the fact that I wasn’t particularly hungry) to get me to try their veggie burger instead of …

This second location of Crazy Cat Bakers (the original is in Highland Village) is an outpost in the Fondren Corner building (2906 N. State St, Jackson).  It has no kitchen, and brings over baked goods and lunch items from the first location every morning.  The focus seems to be on baked goods, but I was determined to get lunch when I went the other day.  Though I liked my sandwich at the original location, I can’t say I was expecting a lot from a refrigerator of pre-wrapped sandwiches and microwavable …