Authentic Mississippi Delta BBQ

If you like BBQ and happen to be going through Clarksdale, Mississippi you won't want to miss a visit to The Ranchero at 1907 State Street.  I had a Jumbo BBQ Pork sandwich and my friend ordered up a Sliced BBQ Pork Plate.  In no time we had big plates dished up with freshly sliced meat slow smoked over hickory covered in a tangy rich sauce.  The sandwich had a cover of fresh delicious coleslaw and a side cup of tasty baked beans.  The food was great, but the owner, Chris Card, and her staff were even better. They let us photograph the restaurant interior, which is a treat in and of itself.  Started in 1959 by Chris's dad, Nelms Mitchell, what started as a teen hangout became a hotbed repository for football photos and memorabilia.  The walls are covered with shots of local stars including Joe Namath and even a pic of the original Marlboro Man, Charles Conerly, who played for the NY football Giants .  Recently pictured in Esquire Magazine, this down home restaurant is hospitable and unpretentious.  If you have a little room left Ranchero has a list of homemade pies and other desserts that looked extremely tempting.    

Where is The Ranchero in relation to Abe's BBQ?  Abe's is just step's away from The Crossroads, Hwys., 49 & 61.  On our way out of town we spotted a little BBQ shack just down the road from Abe's but it was really small and appeared to be just recently opened.  I'm guessing that was not The Ranchero.

Buddy

The Ranchero is a number of blocks away from Abe's. I'd say not much has changed since 1959.

You took pictures? Post 'em.

Wow,  makes me want to go back to Clarksdale.  I love the area.  BTW, is anyone familiar with Kim's, a company in Clarksdale that makes the best cracklins, both pork and chicken?  I'd heard they had a fire at the plant a year or so ago and wondering if they were back up & running?

Now you're talking my language. The Ranchero (known as the Ranch locally) is just a little way north of Abe"s on the other side of Hwy 61. I grew up at the Ranch (graduated CHS in 1962) and have many memories of shenanigans in the parking lot (it was a drive in with car hops  then) and Nelms who always looked out for us.

Oddly enough in the eighties the Ranchero had the best oysters Rockefeller I've ever eaten. Mama Rose's recipe, but I undeerstand that is no more.

Some of the people I work with still go to the Ranchero for plate lunches at noon but I haven't been there in a very long time.

  The last time I was there I didn't have Oysters Rockefeller but I did have them on the half shell - and  I don't know why - I'm guessing it was the particular time of the season or what - but they were cold and fresh and clean and maybe some of the best oysters I've ever eaten. 

carlton pierre


Wow,  makes me want to go back to Clarksdale.  I love the area.  BTW, is anyone familiar with Kim's, a company in Clarksdale that makes the best cracklins, both pork and chicken?  I'd heard they had a fire at the plant a year or so ago and wondering if they were back up & running?

Chicken Cracklins????? I've eaten plenty of Pork Cracklins but never heard of or seen Chicken Cracklins!

Are chicken cracklins not similar to the Jewish dish known I think as gribbins - cooked pieces of chicken skin ?

MissKitty


Are chicken cracklins not similar to the Jewish dish known I think as gribbins - cooked pieces of chicken skin ?

Probably, except that cracklins are smoked.  My mother says that was one of their favorite treats as a child, being able to go into the smokehouse and grab a handful of cracklins.

Chicken cracklins are very similar to the bits left over in the frying pan from when your mom made fried chicken, only the size of a regular cracklin.  They're awesome, and you won't find 'em easily like the pork ones.

 

Kim's makes pork and chicken cracklins, regular and bbq flavor.  You can find'em in a lot of gas stations in the area or can call ( they do not have a website @ 662-627-2389.
417 3rd st/Clarksdale MS

How do you post a picture.  Thanks.

I graduated from Rosedale HS in 1962.  Lot of history in Rosedale, Clarksdale, Cleveland, Greenville and Greenwood.  Did you know Woody Dabbs.

Airport Grocery @ 3806 Hwy. 61 N. Cleveland, MS. 662 - 843 - 4817.
Tabb's BBQ @ 1770 Martin Luther King Dr., Greenville, MS. 662 - 334 - 1166.
Buck's Restaurant @ 152 N. Harvey St., Greenville, MS. 662 - 334 - 3301.
129 Blues Cafe @ 129 W. Walnut St., Greenville, MS. 662 - 378 - 2100.
Spooney's BBQ @ 112 E. Johnson St., Greenwood, MS. 662 - 392 - 6425.
Steven's BBQ @ 208 Fulton St., Greenwood, MS. 662 - 453 - 0313. *
Q- Ball's BBQ @ 500 W. Park Ave., Greenwood, MS. 662 - 455 - 9717.
Rib Shack @ 900 Main St., Greenwood, MS. 662 - 459 - 1499. *
Bo's Bar and Grill @ 507 Carrollton Ave., Greenwood, MS. 662 - 453 - 3237.
308 Blues Club and Cafe @ 308 Hanna Ave., Indianola, MS. 662 - 887 - 7800. *
301 Sid's Grocery and BBQ @ 313 Hwy. 301 N., Lake Cormorant, MS. 662 - 449 - 0600.
B's Hickory Smoke BBQ @ 825 College Hill Rd., Oxford, MS. 662 - 236 - 7090.

Handy Andy Grocery and Market BBQ @ 800 N. Lamar, Oxford, MS. 62 - 234 - 4621.

Dixieland BBQ @ 1456 S. Lamar, Oxford, MS. 662 - 513 - 6395.
Rebel Barn BBQ @ 1412 Jackson Ave. West, Oxford, MS. 662 - 236 - 5340.
Betty Davis BBQ @ 3359 Old Oxford Rd., Oxford, MS.
Goldie's Trail BBQ @ 2430 S. Frontage Rd., Vicksburg, MS. 601 - 437 - 3661.
Cuzz's BBQ @ 4001 U. S. 61 S., Vicksburg, MS. 601 - 636 - 1923.
Country Junction BBQ @ 1416 Washington St., Vicksburg, MS. 601 - 634 - 6828.
Goldie's Express BBQ @ 3313 Pemberton Square Blvd., Vicksburg, MS. 601 - 636 - 2551. *

We've got rooms in Clarksdale in October and are looking forward to eating at Abe's, Hicks, Resthaven, Ranchero and Red's. Give me some Red's along with T-Model Ford, Big Jack Johnson, Robert Belfour and maybe some Super Chikan and I'm one happy camper. Great town and pass me some tamales please.

Get Mr. Hick's to show you his President Clinton video and pictures taken when the President had lunch there on his short whirlwind tour of MS before he left office.  Also ask him if he knows Tom Fair.  Tom is a friend of mine who has a brother married into Mr. Hicks' family.  Good man. Good people.  Have fun. 

You need to go to Ground Zero Blues Club which is owned by Morgan Freeman also.
 

Come visit the Delta soon.

MissKitty

Are chicken cracklins not similar to the Jewish dish known I think as gribbins - cooked pieces of chicken skin ?

Yes, but it's spelled Gribenes. It's the byproduct from making Schmaltz!

Littleman

How do you post a picture.  Thanks.

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/Posting-Pictures-A-How-To-m322596.aspx

I see that there is now a website where you can buy Kim's chicken cracklins...
www.tiptopwebsite.com/jdnabors