Are you a finalist or winner? Need more information about the virtual awards ceremony? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 ext 11. 19 th annual
Best Ethnic Market, Best Place for Healthy Food, Best Vegetarian Options: Aladdin Mediterranean Grocery; Aladdin Mediterranean Grill
Best Fried Chicken, Best Lunch Counter/Buffet, Best Soul Food: Mama Hamil’s Southern Cookin’ & BBQ (480 Magnolia St., Madison, 601-856-4407, hamils.com)
IMANI KHAYYAM / FILE PHOTO
February 3 - March 2, 2021 • jfp.ms
Aladdin Mediterranean Grill has been a staple in the metro since 2004. Many locals regard Aladdin’s, located near Fondren, as Jackson’s premier spot for Mediterranean food such as shawarma, gyros, baklava and others. The restaurant and Aladdin’s Mediterranean Grocery next door are perennially on the Best of Jackson winners’ list. This year, the two together top the lists for Best Ethnic Grocery, Best Vegetarian Options and Best Place to Eat Healthy Food. “We mostly do everything from scratch, and we use lean meat and fresh ingredients,” Yoseph Ali, the proprietor, says of Aladdin’s healthy food preparation. “(For vegetarians), falafels are the big items, along with mixed vegetables and grape leaves. And, of course, all the dips we have are vegetarian friendly.” For those who are not familiar with Aladdin’s or Mediterranean food in general, Ali suggests they try the chicken gyros or one of the combination plates including items such as lamb chops and shrimp. Aladdin’s did have to make adjustments because of the COVID-19 virus, but it is still open for dine-in service, albeit with a smaller number of tables, and the staff has worked to improve the curbside takeaway and delivery services. Having the grocery store on the other side of the wall makes it easier for the restaurant to buy in bulk and pass on the savings to customers, Ali says. Some of the more popular items available at the grocery include dates, olives, tea, coffee, cheese, nan, chicken and more—some of which cannot be found at most other local grocers, as Aladdin’s imports them from overseas, particularly the large medjool dates. Aladdin’s desserts have garnered a number of fans as well, with baklava topping the list as a local favorite. —Richard Coupe
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Best Ethnic Market Finalists Asian Market (901 Lakeland Place, Suite 6, Flowood; 769-572-7050; asianmarketflowood. com) / Carniceria Valdez (2275 Highway 80; 601-352-6300; 6520 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland; 601-899-6922) / Mr. Chen’s (5465 Interstate 55 N., 601-978-1865, mrchensms. com) / Patel Brothers (1999 Highway 80, Suite 15, 601-353-6611, patelbros.com) Best Place for Healthy Food Finalists Aplos Simple Medierranean (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 174, 601-714-8989, eataplos. com) / Kale Me Crazy (1067 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite D, Ridgeland; 601-499-0459; ridgeland.kalemecrazy.net) / Mama Nature’s Juice Bar (655 Lake Harbour Drive, Suite 400, Ridgeland; 601-499-4936; mamanatureswellness.com) Best Vegetarian Options Finalists BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111, bravobuzz.com) / Cool Al’s (4654 McWillie Drive, 601-291-1146, coolalsrestaurant.org) / Kale Me Crazy (1067 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite D, 601-499-0459, ridgeland.kalemecrazy. net) / Mind Body and Soul Foodz (201 Ring Road, Suite 10, Ridgeland, 769-251-1211, mindbodyandsoulfoodz.com)
COURTESY MAMA HAMIL’S SOUTHERN COOKIN’ & BBQ
(730 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6033, aladdininjackson.com)
Rising from its humble, log-cabin beginnings in 1977, Mama Hamil’s now occupies the massive structure behind its original building, offering daily “blue plate specials,” catering options and private event rooms. Regardless of how customers choose to order the Madison restaurant’s downhome southern cooking, Office Manager Bailey Lyles says the menu remains largely consistent. “Everything is handmade,” Lyles remarks. “We do everything fresh every morning.” One of the eatery’s freshest dishes is its popular fried chicken, which is handbattered and fried throughout the day. “If it’s out on the buffet, it’s been cooked within 10 minutes,” Lyles says of the signature poultry fare. While the buffet is currently unavailable due to COVID-19 protocols, Lyles notes that customers’ preferences are taken into account at every turn. “We haven’t made it over 50% capacity,” the office manager says. “Our customers are our top priority right now.” Although the restaurant’s seating is limited, its menu is not, as it features items such as macaroni and cheese, chicken and dumplings, peach cobbler and barbecue on the daily menu. For the cautious patrons who are not yet dining in, Mama Hamil’s offers the same traditional favorites through online orders that can be picked up between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. each day. Larger groups can choose delivery options, as the restaurant provides catered meals with a choice of two meats, three sides, a bread, a dessert and a beverage. No matter how customers prefer to order, Mama Hamil’s has resumed normal hours and are now once again open for both lunch and dinner. —Taylor McKay Hathorn Best Fried Chicken Finalists Dumbo’s on Duling (3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 601-336-3600, dumbosjackson.com) / The Gathering at Livingston (106 Livingston Church Road, Flora, 601-667-4282, livingstonmercantile.com) / Georgia Blue (202 Baptist Drive, Madison; 601-898-3330; 223 Ridge Way, Flowood; 601-919-1900, georgiablue.net) / Primos Cafe (2323 Lakeland Drive, Flowood; 601-936-3398; 515 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland; 601-898-3600; 201 Baptist Drive, Madison; 601-853-3350; primoscafe.com) / Rooster’s (2906 N. State St., 601-9822001, eatroosters.com) Best Lunch Counter/Buffet Finalists Brent’s Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 601-366-3427, brentsdrugs.com) / Grant’s Kitchen & Grill (3820 Flowood Drive, Flowood, 601-665-4764, grantskitchen.com) / Ichiban Chinese Buffet (153 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-919-0097; 3 Mac and Bones Blvd., Pearl, 769-208-2688; ichibangrillms.com) / Mama’s Eats-N-Sweets (2017 Boling St., 601-713-0550, facebook. com/mamaseats) / McClain Resort (874 Holly Bush Road, Brandon, 601-829-1101, mcclain.ms) Best Soul Food Finalists Bully’s Restaurant (3118 Livingston Road, Suite 6103, 601-362-0484, facebook.com/Bullys-Restaurant) / Godfrey’s (2460 Terry Road, 601-398-3602) / Josephine’s Kitchen (4638 Hanging Moss Road, 769-572-4276, josephineskitchenms.com) / Sugar’s Place (168 E. Griffith St., 601-352-2364, facebook.com/Sugars-Place-Downtown) / Sweetie Pies (110 E. South St., 769-524-4843, facebook.com/sweetiepiesofficial)
