The Civil Rights Trail is full of incredible sites, and that includes restaurants. Recently, CNN Travel highlighted some of the best – and most significant – eateries situated along the historic trail, and one of them can be found right here in Mississippi. Take a look:
Today, Farish Street in Jackson is lined with vacant and deteriorating storefronts. However, it wasn’t always that way.
Mzuriana/Flickr At its peak, the street was known as “Little Harlem,” and it was where African Americans went to shop and dine during segregation.
Opened in 1952 and still in operation today, the Big Apple Inn quickly became one of the most popular restaurants on Farish Street.
Chinese Yankee/TripAdvisor
Originally, the restaurant specialized in tamales. And while it still sells tamales, it’s now known more for its sandwiches.
jscottmac/TripAdvisor
The first sandwich added to the menu was the Smoked Sausage Sandwich – a.k.a. the “Smoke.”
Ryan Stotz/Google
A longtime customer favorite, it’s made by placing ground Red Rose smoked sausage on a bun and topping it with Cole slaw, mustard, and hot sauce.
Big Apple Inn/Facebook
Sometime later, the Pig Ear Sandwich became a menu staple. Just as the name implies, the sandwich is made by placing a tenderized pig ear on a slider bun and dressing it with mustard, slaw, and hot sauce.
Chinese Yankee/TripAdvisor
The one-of-a-kind sandwich has caught the attention of various publications, TV shows, and celebrities, including BB King and President Obama. But the sandwich isn’t the only reason the restaurant is famous.
Chinese Yankee/TripAdvisor
Though they may not look like much now, the tiny offices situated just one floor above the eatery were once rented by civil rights legends Fannie Lou Hamer and Medgar Evers.
Les F/TripAdvisor
Evers used to hold meetings at the Big Apple Inn, since his office was too small. It’s said he organized many protests from the eatery, including the 1961 Freedom Rides.
Regina Toney/Flickr
Over the years, Geno Lee, owner of the Big Apple Inn, has opened two other locations in Jackson – both of which are more profitable than the original.
FoodieJax/Zomato
But with so much history and nostalgia, he doesn’t have the heart to close the legendary hole-in-the-wall. And it’s a good thing because it’d be a shame to lose such an important (and uniquely delicious) piece of history!
Susan C. Allen, used with permission, © scwallen 2016
Visit the original Big Apple Inn at 509 N Farish Street in Jackson. For more information, call (601) 354-9371 or click here.
Mzuriana/Flickr
At its peak, the street was known as “Little Harlem,” and it was where African Americans went to shop and dine during segregation.
Chinese Yankee/TripAdvisor
jscottmac/TripAdvisor
Ryan Stotz/Google
Big Apple Inn/Facebook
Les F/TripAdvisor
Regina Toney/Flickr
FoodieJax/Zomato
Susan C. Allen, used with permission, © scwallen 2016
So, have you ever dined at this legendary eatery? Were you aware of its interesting past? Did you try the Pig Ear Sandwich? Tell us in the comments section!
If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out “Most People Don’t Realize This Famous Cafe Is In Mississippi.“
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