#HeyJackson: Cock of the Walk

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I sat at breakfast in a hotel lobby in Jackson, Mississippi. My Momma to my right. My newly minted cousin to my left. Well, you could say he's been my cousin all my life but this was our first encounter, so new he was to me. He began goin' on and on of how he wanted some good catfish. I looked at him and went, "what do they not have catfish in Georgia?" He looked at me dumbfounded and without missin' a beat replied, "you do know Mississippi is known for it's catfish?" I felt stupid as a light went off in my head. So that's why we always ate catfish when we visited Paw Paw on those extended weekends in Greenville. But that doesn't explain why my parents were obsessed with the tamale stand near his house. We have that in Texas and it's much better. I looked at him skeptical. After-all how could I trust someone who thought the queso served the night before at dinner was amazin'? It was decided we must have catfish. My sister ran to the lady at the check-in counter to ask. I followed tweetin' Visitms for suggestions. My sister informed the lady behind the counter it had to be a hole in the wall and greasy. Preferably by black people. I tried not to laugh out loud. At the same time quite a few hits came to me via Twitter. All were suggestin' the same places. My cousin wasn't impressed. For a young engineer he never seemed impressed. Done deal. We would get catfish before the long weekend was done.

We put the catfish in the back of our minds and prepared to put on a smile and suffer through this family picnic, in the Mississippi heat, that only the elders like my Great Aunt KB (his grandma)  and my Paw Paw were excited about. Halfway through the picnic I see my cousin Justin is gone. Later that night he tells me Aunt KB took him for catfish since he doesn't eat pork and it was a hole in the wall disgrace. I laughed and claimed that's what he got for goin' without me. That Saturday we awoke to a free day. Pool  loughin' and the Reservoir was in our future. Halfway through we became famished. Wait, do people still say famished? Well we were. Finally catfish was in our future. I checked my phone and saw that we were within a few minutes of one of the restaurants Visitms recommended. Justin started yammerin' on that this better be worth it. His eyes light up when we pulled in the parkin' lot and he saw a black man approach. I laughed so hard. That boy needs to get outta Alabama/Georgia more often and come to Texas. 

We approached the man and he assured us this was some of the best catfish this side of the Mississippi River. I was pleased but Justin was still hesitant. An older gentleman greeted us and asked if we'd ever dined with them before. We explain that we ain't from around here and he smiled. He welcomed us and then asked where we're visitin' from." Texas, Georgia/Alabama, and Wisconsin," I said. He smiled and brought us to our seat. He then told us to enjoy our stay. Justin gave the menu a once over and smiled when he realized they didn't have much diversity on the menu. "They stick to what they know", he goes. The young waiter approaches and bragged on the establishment. He went on about how he was just in Biloxi and you'd think bein' on the Gulf they'd have the best fish but they didn't. The best fish he'd ever had was in the Capital/River area. I smiled and thank him. We decided to order the big meal. I was a little dismayed as I tried to take photo after photo only to fail cause the lightin' was so poor. At least we have a beautiful view of the river. I am beyond ecstatic when my sweet tea comes in a funky glass. Mmm, sweet tea just the way I liked it. The excitement continued to build.

The young waiter returned and put on a show as he delivered our hot water cornbread and coleslaw. I smiled entertained. Moments later out catfish arrived. We bowed our heads in prayer before I assaulted the table in pictures. Justin looked on unamused. It was then I am reminded we only just met and he's never been out to eat with me. He gives me a look of warnin' but obliged. I finished and then look over. This was the moment of truth. He took a bite. He took another. He smiled. He grabed the hot sauce. He smiled more. He glanced at his ungreasy hand. He chuckled and goes, "This fish is sooo fresh. Just look at it. Yesterday he was swimmin' and today he's on my plate. Now this is some catfish. MMM, now this is a ten!"

I chuckle. I make a mental note so months later when I remember to type this down... his words are written precise.

If you ever happen to be in the beautiful Jackson, Mississippi area make sure to stop by Cock of the Walk and get ya some.