A recent visit to see my daughter in Brandon, Mississippi left me longing for a delicious Sunday brunch. After searching the internet for one within an hour’s drive, I found what sounded like a perfect option. We drove to Meridian, Mississippi to visit Weidmann’s, established in 1870. The historic restaurant offers a jazz brunch (reservations suggested) with a killer menu.
Weidmann’s, the oldest restaurant in Mississippi, is only a hop, skip, and jump off I-20. We found parking with no problem on a Sunday morning. The restaurant was warm and welcoming with exposed brick, local artwork for sale, and a ginormous mirror that made for a lovely setting inside. White tablecloths and linen napkins dressed the fresh-flower decorated tables, while a crock of peanut butter and basket of crackers, their signature tradition, accompanied them.
On the menu were classic breakfast dishes, traditional brunch items, sandwiches, salads, and quiche. Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s were the popular drink choices, but for me, the sweet tea was epic! Our waiter was professional and suggested several items from the menu as well as describing a few of the dishes.
For starters, we shared Fried Green Tomatoes. Oh my, they were perfect! I found the Comeback sauce, a Mississippi favorite, to be on point and paired well with the firm tomato disks.
Delectable Brunch Offerings
For brunch, our dishes ranged from a spin on a classic menu item to one The King would be proud of. My Shrimp and Grits Ya-Ya was an original dish, bursting with succulent shrimp, Portobello mushrooms, spinach, and topped with a Smoked Gouda cream sauce. Crispy bacon pieces and fresh herbs dusted the top. That heavenly concoction sat atop a grit cake made from local stone-ground grits. To say that it was delicious would be quite the understatement.
My dad enjoyed every bite of his Peanut Butter & Banana Stuffed French Toast, while my daughter found the Chicken & Waffles to be 10 out of 10 delicious. Blake chose a classic breakfast special with sausage patties, eggs (your choice), sausage gravy, and a biscuit.
Weidmann’s has a delicious sounding dessert menu (Peanut Butter Pie, Praline Cheesecake, and Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie) but we were too full to hold any. This was a highly enjoyable meal, a lovely venue, and well-worth the hour’s drive to get there. Don’t miss 1/2 price happy hour every day from 4 to 7 PM.
Fun Around Town
Meridian touts the claim to being Mississippi’s music city. Jimmie Rodgers, known as the Father of Country Music was born there. Several other musicians from blues to jazz, opera to hip-hop also hail from Mississippi. A Blues & Country Musical Legacy Trail can be found around the city with markers listing and celebrating each artist’s achievements.
One of my favorites was Hartley Peavey, founder of Peavey Electronics that make amplifiers, guitars, speakers, and other musical equipment. You’ll also find the Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Center’s Walk of Fame Stars around the downtown, with Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, in front of Weidmann’s.
While in Meridian, Mississippi some other things to check out include MAX- Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, an attraction that pays homage to famous Mississippi celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, John Grisham, Morgan Freeman, Jim Henson, and Elvis Presley in a unique way. Through interactive displays, learn what makes these people special and how they reached stardom.
Meridian, Mississippi Finds
Shoppers or antique hunters will enjoy the Finders Keepers Flea Market & Antique Mall, Crooked Letter, Little People Boutique & Toy Story, and Loeb’s. I loved that MUM- Meridian Underground Music, offered the best selection of new and used vinyl, CD’s and guitars. I didn’t expect to find a vinyl store in Meridian, Mississippi.
You’ll find the Meridian Museum of Art on both the National Register of Historic Places and a National Historic Landmark, too. They have a large collection of works by renowned regional and Mississippi artists as well as temporary exhibits, art education, and special events.
If you are lucky, you will catch the Highland Park Dentzel Carousel (and Shelter Building) open. This intricate and historic carousel was made for the 1904 St. Louis Exposition by the Dentzel Carousel Company of Philadelphia and sold to Meridien. It is so lovely. The hand-carved pieces include horses, giraffes, lions, gazelles, to name a few. The carousel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a National Historic Landmark. Prices remain 50 cents per ride.
Don’t miss the photogenic fat ducks that live around the nearby pond. Besides the carousel, you will also find artistically painted horses “Around Town” which financially benefit the Hope Village for Children.
Mississippi is full of great day trips. I highly recommend getting out to explore the Magnolia State and Meridian, Mississippi was a nice one to check off of my list.
Melody Pittman of Wherever I May Roam wrote this post.
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