Pig Out Inn Barbeque

One dark and stormy morning, we drove through sheets of rain to attend a wedding in a nearby town.

For some twisted reason (probably to raise the spirits of a disheartened bride), it’s been said a rainy wedding day is a favorable omen for the marriage. This bride and groom should have good luck for many years to come.

Our fondness for the Natchez Trace parkway led us to the historic path turned road once again, heading west towards Natchez. Carefully inching along we eventually reached the end, or rather, the beginning, and pulled into a quintessential small Southern town sitting on the banks of the Mississippi river.

It was my first visit to Natchez, and prior to our trip I did what I do whenever venturing somewhere new – research the restaurants.

I begin by scanning posts on Chowhound for eating options in a specific geographical area. Then I read newspaper websites, food websites and fellow local food blogs for reviews. Once I have gathered a few places, I check out the restaurant’s site and preview the menu. (Priorities people.)

The process allows me to arrive with list of strong contenders of where to eat. I don’t always get my way depending on the trip, company or situation, so when meal decisions arise I’m prepared to make suggestions. Options are a food lovers best friend.

Amidst celebrating the love of two friends uniting for life, we had one opportunity to eat out during the weekend. The possibilities for Natchez included: Mammy’s Cupboard, Fat Mama’s Tamales, Pig Out BBQ, Planet Thailand and the Castle Restaurant at the Dunleith.

The tumultuous weather affected our travel plans and we didn’t make it to Mammy’s Cupboard which closes at 1 p.m. We pushed on to the Grand hotel and for the sake of proximity and ease, walked down the street to grab lunch at the Pig Out Inn. (Fat Mama’s was a close second, also in walking distance, but I was dissuaded by the Cynical Cook.)

Approaching the restaurant the inviting scent of barbeque wafted through the air. Fittingly, both the exterior and interior of the Pig Out Inn are blanketed with pig decorations. Momentarily distracted by the huge Ode-to-the-South wall mural, I snapped back to the barbeque laden menu above the counter.

Ben and I both ordered pulled pork, he got a large sandwich with two sides and I got a small sandwich. For the sides he chose baked beans and cole slaw, and I picked up a bag of jalapeno flavored Zapp’s potato chips. Armed with two half and half iced teas (half sweet tea, half regular), we were ready to dig in.

The pork was tender, smokey and oddly chopped up into chunks. I prefer pulled pork to be shredded, but that’s just how I like it. The meat comes bare, so I promptly covered my sandwich with barbeque sauce from the bottle on the table, which had a slight kick. It was satisfyingly standard barbeque fare, but then again my Kansas City roots are hard to impress.

Perhaps Rebecca Black’s recent comments about her debut music video Friday, can also be applied here. The Pig Out In isn’t the worst barbeque nor is it the best, nevertheless it’s good on some level.

Pig Out Inn Barbeque
116 South Canal Street
Natchez, MS 39120
Phone 601-442-8050