Passing an heirloom down through generations is common practice for many clans. For the Kountouris family, that heirloom is the Mayflower Café. The café isn’t just a vital part of the clan’s legacy, though. As one of the state’s oldest restaurants, it’s a huge part of Mississippi’s backstory too.

The Mayflower Café is Jackson's oldest restaurant.
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Friends and Greek immigrants, George Kountouris and John Gouras, opened the café in 1935. Ever since, it’s been passed down through the Kountouris family, from generation to generation.
Now a landmark restaurant, it's been featured in everything from magazines to movies.
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The fact that it started off as a tiny burger stand makes the café’s iconic status even more impressive.
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Staying true to its roots, the café boasts a Greek-inspired menu with lots of “always fresh seafood.”
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Carnivores will be pleased with the meat selection, which includes everything from steaks to pork chops.
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The café acknowledges its southern roots, too, by serving up a bevy of blue plate specials.
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The specials, which are available for lunch only, vary from day to day, but always include an entrée, two sides, and a dessert.
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No matter what you order, every meal at the café should begin the same way – with a salad topped with the café’s famous house dressing, which Maxim named the “nation’s #1 condiment.”
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The experience of dining at the café is only made better by the old-school dining room – complete with glass mosaics, retro penny tile floors, and leather clad booths.
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Doling out award-winning grub in a retro setting, Mayflower Café isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a true legend! Don’t you think? For more info, call the café at (601) 355-4122. You can also visit the Mayflower Café website.

So, have you ever dined at Mayflower Café? Did you know about its lengthy history? Know of another legendary eatery? Tell us!

Looking for another famous place to stuff your face? Check out this beloved hole-in-the-wall, which serves up the state’s best fried catfish.

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Mayflower Cafe, 123 W Capitol St, Jackson, MS 39201, USA