Here are some of the best steakhouses in South Mississippi

Kara Kimbrough | Special to Clarion Ledger

After listing friends’ and readers’ top picks for steaks in the central and northern part of the state, it’s time to turn the focus on south Mississippi. With its close proximity to the Gulf Coast, it’s an area best known for seafood but believe me when I say, great steakhouses are plentiful.

If the sight of chickens and other animals roaming outside combined with a scenic river view is your idea of atmospheric dining, Cowboy Jim’s Riverside Restaurant is your kind of place. Located in the Lone Star community between Collins and Prentiss, Cowboy Jim’s is a sprawling lodge-like building on the banks of the Bouie River filled with antique and vintage items of every description. The rooms are particularly festive at Christmas when decorations and lights abound. But it’s the mammoth grilled steaks, including the restaurant’s famous rib-eyes and t-bones, that pack ‘em in every night they’re open. Cowboy Jim’s is located at 186 Highway 35 in Prentiss; hours are 4 pm – 9 p.m. on Thursday and until 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday. It’s a cash-only place, so come prepared.

A little further west, The Caboose in McComb is the city’s steak mecca. Located in a historic building in McComb’s downtown depot district, the upscale eatery’s steaks include hand-cut rib-eyes, New York strip and filet mignon, along with everything needed for a memorable steak dinner. Visit The Caboose at 131 Front St. in McComb. Lunch hours are Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. - 1:15 pm; dinner hours are 4 -10 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. Call 601-684-9191 for more information.

A restaurant with the words “fish house” in its name wouldn’t be the first place I’d head for a steak. Smith County friends swear Luckey’s Fish House in Mize serves the best steaks around in a place typically known for its giant watermelons and namesake festival. Fried catfish, other seafood and a buffet are well-represented on the menu, but so are flat iron steaks and medium to large ribeyes. Don’t expect fine dining, but if delicious steaks are the ultimate goal, Luckey’s is worth checking out. The restaurant is located at 17804 Hwy. 35 in Mize. Hours are 5 – 8:30 p.m., Thursday – Saturday and 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday. Call 601-782-5590 to find out more.

I previously mentioned Hattiesburg’s Sully’s, so I’ll skip on down to the Gulf Coast. In an area where seafood reigns supreme, it’s hard to imagine great steaks are plentiful, friends attest to this fact. I’ve dined at downtown Gulfport’s Rack House and yes, its steaks are divine. You’ll find everything from petite filets to giant Delmonico ribeyes and porterhouse. I can’t visit the Coast without sampling seafood, so my go-to is surf and turf. It’s a 12-ounce strip steak topped with lump crabmeat, Royal Reds and other seafood in a white wine cream sauce. Sample Rack House’s steak and other delicacies on Sunday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and until 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. The Rack House’s location is 1301 26th Ave. in downtown Gulfport; contact number is 228- 206-2744.

A friend sent in a notice about a “secret” steak in Pascagoula in Jackson County. She went so far as to call it the “best secret ever.” As a result, Brady’s is a required stop the next time I travel south. Offering outside dining and panoramic views of the Pascagoula River, Brady’s menu is as impressive as the view. Besides the expected seafood offerings, steaks run the gamut from filet mignon to 14-ounce ribeyes. No doubt, the secret will soon by out about Brady’s steaks. Brady’s is located at 3801 Magnolia St. in Pascagoula. Hours are 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday-Thursday; until 10 p.m. on weekends. Call 228-205-3749 to find out more.

Last, exploring the north Biloxi community of Wool Market to sample what has been called the best po’boys on the Coast at Taranto’s Crawfish, Po’boy and Seafood has been on my culinary bucket list for some time. I mean, checking out a place named Wool Market is reason enough. A friend clued me in on another “best of” at the unassuming place – Taranto’s grilled steaks are right up there with its po’boys. I checked out the menu overflowing with seafood and po’boys and yes, there’s a respectable lineup of steaks, including ribeyes and my favorite surf and turf. There’s even a ribeye po’boy which looks as appetizing as my go-to fried shrimp. Check out Taranto’s the next time you’re nearby; it’s located at 12404 John Lee Rd. in Biloxi; hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Call 228-392-0990 to find out more.

More: Here are 6 of the best steakhouses in the Jackson metro area

More: Locally owned steakhouses in Mississippi: Here are some favorites. What are yours?

Kara Kimbrough is a freelance writer, public relations director and university instructor. Want any of her recipes? Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.