CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI–MAY 2019–Corinth is typically recognized as a Civil War town in Mississippi’s northeast corner. Those who know the town secrets make a point of stopping in Corinth whenever they are near. Those who don’t may be surprised to hear that this quintessential small town offers a blossoming shopping district with a spa and salon and great antiquing. Enjoy a nightcap on a rooftop bar and stroll through a quaint, yet charming, downtown. And, don’t miss the culinary scene with flagship restaurants downtown complete with good eats and stories that make you want to come back for more.
Pizza Grocery
Pizza Grocery is such an unassuming name for this lovely venue filled with pizza, subs, pasta, salads and gourmet entrees wrapped up in a fine dining experience. A local favorite since the 2006 opening, Pizza Grocery has successfully merged this chef-driven menu of diverse entree options with winning weekend specials to create the right atmosphere for date night or visiting with friends and family. It is truly the perfect blend of Italian cuisine served with Southern hospitality.
The back story of Pizza Grocery is interesting. The building was constructed back in the 1920s for Alcorn Wholesale and it continued as a grocery wholesaler until the 1980s. Lifelong Corinthians, the Bryant family purchased the building in 2002 with a vision to turn the space into a restaurant. That dream was met with heavy reconstruction needs in order to adequately house an eatery of this caliber. The finished product is current-day Pizza Grocery. The integrity of the building allows it to continue charming guests for years to come.
Vicari Italian Grill
Fancy, big city restaurants have nothing on Vicari Italian Grill in Corinth’s downtown district where the ambiance is elegant and the food is exquisite. Nestled amidst other downtown buildings, it’s a crazy surprise to see the grandeur of this restaurant’s entrance showcasing a gorgeous ascending staircase.
Beautifully-plated meals are the norm for the eatery’s pasta dishes, flatbreads and salads. Another marvelous display of chef-driven talent tucked away in Smalltown USA, Vicari Italian Grill gives Corinth a leg-up on other nearby towns with a snazzy culinary experience and an even snazzier name–Vicari. In case your inquiring mind is wondering, the name is taken from a small town in the Provence of Palermo in Sicily. Well done, fancy Italian Grill, well done.
Smith Downtown
Fabulous meals continue throughout this little gem of a city with Smith Downtownserving lunch, dinner and cocktails daily with a healthy dose of live music on the weekends. The bar is upstairs with both a restaurant entrance and a separate street entrance, and the balcony offers views across the city’s downtown. Pop in for large portions of your favorite comfort foods including salads, wings, burgers and steaks along with Southern treats like Shrimp and Grits, Chicken and Waffles, catfish and the show stopper favorite: Beef House Sandwich. Save room for crème brulee, bread pudding or Mississippi Mud Cake…you won’t be sorry.
Perhaps the best back story of any restaurant in northeast Mississippi is that of Smith Downtown. Russell Smith, owner and chef, and his bride returned to Corinth from Oxford in 2007 to help with the family business–Russell’s Beef Steak House–started by his grandfather in 1978. Looking for the perfect building for his own culinary breakout, Russell fell in love with the Rankin Printery building in downtown Corinth, including its own colorful past.
Built in 1869, the former Tishomingo Savings Institute was the subject of a legendary bank robbery on December 7, 1874, as five men on horseback rode into town up to no good. One of the five was believed to be the infamous Jesse James. The five left with $15,000 to $20,000 in cash and bonds as well as gold watches, diamonds and the like. A bank president and customer were wounded that day, but the only fatality was a dog.
In 1905, the printery began operations in the building and remained until the 1990s. Smith renovated the building for his restaurant when he purchased it, exposing beautiful brick walls and quietly preserving the history and integrity of the historically significant building. Today, the décor is a blend of original features with an industrial look offering maximum functionality. It’s fine dining in a casual space. It’s just perfect.
Borroum’s Drug Store and Soda Fountain
When looking for a quick bite in downtown Corinth, Borroum’s Drug Store and Soda Fountain is your go-to place. The oldest operating drug store in the state, Borroum’s has lots of Native American artifacts along with Civil War memorabilia and a working soda fountain. Home of the infamous Corinth delicacy, the slugburger, the unique story is one to carry us back in time.
The depression era was filled with desperation for many and in an attempt to save money, folks mixed (expensive) ground beef with other things like flour, soybeans…whatever would stretch their meat supply. The burgers were fried and served topped with mustard, pickles and onions. The cheaper burgers sold for a nickel, often referred to as slug in those days, hence the name slugburger.
Today, the drug store serves slugburgers, salads, sandwiches and other tasty lunch options to go along with those authentic shakes.
For more information on Corinth history, quirky attractions or other restaurant digs, please visit Cornith.net.