Fork In The Road: Magnolia Blues BBQ [Ride To Eat]
BBQ heaven in Brookhaven, MS
[Carl, owner of Magnolia Blues BBQ, stands in front of his restaurant with the Indian FTR1200S]
Brookhaven is a small town in Lincoln County 55 miles south of Jackson, Mississippi. Founded in what was Choctaw Indian territory in the year of 1818, Brookhaven quickly became the perfect pit stop for railroad travelers between New Orleans and Memphis. Today, the town is home to roughly 13,000 people and is still a great place to visit when passing through Southern Mississippi. Downtown Brookhaven provides a charming spot to eat, shop, and stay. While in town, we had a delightful stay at The Inn on Whitworth, owned by John Lynch who is a motorcyclist himself! The Inn is right on the square, a short walk away from local restaurants and shops.
Magnolia Blues BBQ Company is just a half mile from the Inn and if southern charm isn’t enough to get you to Brookhaven, Magnolia Blues is! Established in 2013, Magnolia Blues has set the bar high for BBQ. The owner, Carl, has poured his heart and soul into this restaurant and his food; often arriving at daybreak to get fresh slabs of meat in the smoker and make all of the sauces, rubs and pickles!
[As Anthony Bourdain once said, “Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it’s a start.”]
[Mural located inside the restaurant]
[We were lucky enough to watch Carl get to work early one morning, prepping his smoker with racks of ribs and chicken breasts.]
We’re from Tennessee, so we aren’t strangers to good BBQ. We believe that meat should speak for itself. A proper cut of meat, a nice sear or long smoke, and a light complimentary seasoning are the 3 key elements of good BBQ. Did Magnolia Blues have what it takes to satisfy our taste buds?
[The perfect filet mignon.]
One bite of this filet and we realized we were dining with a true professional - a master at his craft. Cooked to a perfect medium and covered with a light demi glaze, the tender cut of hand-selected beef seemed to melt in our mouths. My taste buds didn’t want it to end, and I’ve yet to find it’s equal. On the side we tried the hand cut fries. Carl prepares this seemingly simple dish using the proper method including a long soak, a short blanch, and a final fry. Just the way we like them!
[Smoked brisket crispy tacos]
Smoked brisket crispy tacos, a specialty here, were also on the menu during our visit and provided one of the best taco experiences I’ve ever had. Topped with fresh lettuce, cheese and tomato, the flavors compliment each other perfectly. Pickled ginger on the side? Yes please!
[Pulled pork BBQ nachos!]
One of our favorite ways to do nachos is with pulled pork BBQ. Magnolia Blues builds their version of this dish with a generous drizzle of queso, sour cream and BBQ sauce, topped with pickled jalapenos! The smokey flavors of the pulled pork balance perfectly with the sweet homemade sauce and spicy peppers. This is BBQ nachos done right!
Our entire experience at Magnolia Blues was utterly exceptional. If you are rolling through southern Mississippi, a trip to Magnolia Blues BBQ should be on your itinerary.
Your taste buds will thank you!