I spent most of last week in Starkville, MS. I decided to practice sweet tea immersion while I was there: partially because ordering unsweet tea kills conversation and makes the locals suspicious..

I think I’ve figured out the sweet tea appeal: consistent high sugar content. “Yup, one and a half cups per gallon!” the kid behind the counter at Obys remarked at lunch today as I explained this to a friend who is also a local there.

That’s all there is to it: the South has collaborated and they all make it the same way: boil the water, add tea bags, While it’s still hot stir in 1 1/2 cups of sugar per gallon. Done. Try to get thousands of restaurants to do anything else consistently: the entire South banded together together and agreed on one drink.

I made it to but didn’t talk about Mugshots on my last trip: it’s considered the best burger in town and it seems to live up to its promise: the burger was huge and very good.

I also ate at Polliwogs this time. The exterior belies the general dive-bar character of the place. The food was passable but almost completely lacking in local flavor. I ordered the only thing on the menu that I couldn’t get at a dive bar in Philadelphia, the craw-fish sandwich and they were out of crawfish. I looked in vain for catfish, my second favorite MS specialty and ended up with a turkey, bacon and cheese sandwich. It was a fair sandwich, just like you would get in any other dive bar..

A final note: can someone explain to me why Delta both refuses to hold a flight and seems to be unable to get me through Atlanta on time? I booked through Delta, my (delayed) flight from Mississippi landed at 9:30, my (delayed) flight to Philadelphia left at 9:50.. Despite sprinting, catching the train as the doors where closing and arriving at the gate at 9:48 the woman at the gate almost seemed pleased that I missed my flight. Seriously? So much for Southern hospitality: you’re on Delta in the Atlanta airport. I generally fly through Dallas on American: Texas has its issues but at least the Dallas Fort Worth airport is able to get me home.

Mugshots
662-324-3965
101 N. Douglas Conner Street
Starkville, MS 39759

Polliwogs
662-323-4274
511 Academy Road
Starkville, MS 39759