The Legendary Mississippi Restaurant That Serves Great Food With A Side Of Civil Rights History
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published April 19, 2018
×
Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
The Civil Rights Trail is full of incredible sites, and that includes restaurants. Recently, CNN Travel highlighted some of the best – and most significant – eateries situated along the historic trail, and one of them can be found right here in Mississippi. Take a look:
Today, Farish Street in Jackson is lined with vacant and deteriorating storefronts. However, it wasn’t always that way.
Sometime later, the Pig Ear Sandwich became a menu staple. Just as the name implies, the sandwich is made by placing a tenderized pig ear on a slider bun and dressing it with mustard, slaw, and hot sauce.
The one-of-a-kind sandwich has caught the attention of various publications, TV shows, and celebrities, including BB King and President Obama. But the sandwich isn’t the only reason the restaurant is famous.
Though they may not look like much now, the tiny offices situated just one floor above the eatery were once rented by civil rights legends Fannie Lou Hamer and Medgar Evers.
Evers used to hold meetings at the Big Apple Inn, since his office was too small. It’s said he organized many protests from the eatery, including the 1961 Freedom Rides.
But with so much history and nostalgia, he doesn’t have the heart to close the legendary hole-in-the-wall. And it’s a good thing because it’d be a shame to lose such an important (and uniquely delicious) piece of history!
Visit the original Big Apple Inn at 509 N Farish Street in Jackson. For more information, call (601) 354-9371 or click here.
So, have you ever dined at this legendary eatery? Were you aware of its interesting past? Did you try the Pig Ear Sandwich? Tell us in the comments section!
