Last year on the way to K-Kauai Family Camp we stopped at a national chain for dinner in Mississippi. The food was mediocre and overpriced but we were on the road so there really weren't many options. Unfortunately, five minutes later we passed by this and saw that we had missed a great opportunity.
The Catfish in the Barn Restaurant is at Burton's Sugar Farm in Michigan City, Mississippi. Now you look at the picture and think 'neat' but it was even worse for us because it was nighttime when we passed which made it look, almost, dare I say it, romantic! I swan I heard music! There were strung up lights and I'm just a sucker for strung up lights. It seemed like the absolute perfect way to spend an evening.
This year we were determined not to miss it.
Burton's Sugar Farm has been around since 1879 when the family moved down from Arkansas. It moseyed along as a farm for over 100 years until the oughts when they added a Pumpkin Patch and a Breakfast with Santa. Then they got the idea to open the barn up on Friday and Saturday nights in the summer for a catfish fry. Brilliant.
The barn is huge and open.
There are plenty of things to keep the littles entertained while you wait.
Ignore the ballerina dress. I have no explanation for it.
We mistimed our arrival by a wee bit and had to wait about 30 minutes for the restaurant to open.
The kids got their energy out in the field beside the barn.
Er...I think this was supposed to be a dance move. Or maybe a soccer kick.
Let's go with soccer kick.
It was crazy hot when we got there which I expect hurts their business but they had some fans set up to facilitate a nice breeze.
We enjoyed looking at the decorations.
For instance:
Who knew, huh?
More decorations:
Good grief. Is that a confederate flag? What the...People...I mean...No. No! You can not display a confederate flag, even if you live in Mississippi. Dang it, especially if you live in Mississippi.
I mean, really! The heck, people? What are you thinking!? Inappropriate.
The food? Appropriate. Seriously delicious.
When we sat down to eat Billy looked at me and said 'I'm about to eat an obscene amount of food.' This coming from my P90X loving husband.
I tossed these fried green tomatoes down like they were potato chips.
He tossed these desserts down like they were um, desserts.
All I can thing of is that Michigan City is two hours and fifty nine minutes away from Huntsville. That's not too far for a road trip! Right? Right! I say this can definitely fit into a date night scenario.
Sort of...Well maybe we should call it an 'on your way to Memphis' trip.
Whatever you call it, just go.
Our work is done here.
Ya know the flag on the front of the barn is a Confederate flag too right? It was the official flag of the Confederacy. The more familiar one (like the one on the General Lee in Dukes of Hazard) is a battle flag. When I was in Law School at Ole Miss my law student association threw a party at a popular bar called "the Gin." The place was draped in battle flags and cotton bales. At the end of the night I was sent to the owner's office to pay the tab. He was black. I don't know, it's Mississippi yo!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a fun party but I still say NO.
DeleteAnd, no, I didn't know the flag across the barn was a confederate flag. What kind of place is this anyway that I'm promoting!
DeleteTo me it's just Mississippi. Sometimes offensive, sometimes great, but always with good food!
ReplyDelete"Ignore the ballerina dress. I have no explanation for it"
ReplyDeleteNO explanation needed - it is a Dress That Goes Out (when Stella spins around). Next will come the Curse of Puffy Sleeves.