Saltine’s Oysters Lafitte: Baked in a wood-fired oven with crawfish tails, bacon, parmesan and hot sauce butter
The Mississippi Seafood Trail of restaurants was established by the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association in 2014 to promote restaurants that proudly serve wild-caught, genuine Gulf seafood. With 42 participating restaurants from North Mississippi to the Gulf Coast, you’ll find daily menu specials featuring seafood favorites like fresh crab and tasty finfish, to delectable oysters and succulent shrimp.
According to Mike Cashion of the MS Hospitality and Restaurant Association, to qualify, a restaurant simply needs to offer at least one entree item that comes from the Gulf on the menu throughout the year. “This makes it possible for po-boy shops and other specialty shops to participate, as well as traditional seafood restaurants.”
Well-Being also spoke to Melissa Scallan, Public Affairs Director of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources about how the MS Seafood Trail helps promote Gulf Seafood throughout the State.
“Our goal at the Department of Marine Resources is to encourage more people to buy local seafood to prepare at home and to request it when they are eating out,” notes Scallan. “We are excited to support the Seafood Trail because it helps to spread awareness about the excellent quality and taste of Gulf seafood.”
Whether you are a visitor to the State or a native son or daughter, you can’t go wrong when you visit one of the many participating restaurants along the MS Seafood Trail.
Gulf Seafood Fact: The Gulf Coast produces 70 percent of the nation’s oysters, 69 percent of domestic shrimp, and is a leading producer of domestic hard and soft-shell blue crabs.
Gulf Seafood Fact: Seafood contains high-quality protein and a variety of essential nutrients, such as vitamins B6 and B12, and some varieties are a natural source of vitamin D.
Gulf Seafood Fact: The Gulf Coast seafood industry has some of most stringent regulations around to assure the safety and quality of seafood and to prevent over-fishing and other unsustainable practices.
Gulf Seafood Fact: Gulf seafood is low in saturated fat, but it offers healthy omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Gulf Seafood Fact: Gulf shrimp and some finfish are at peak season in May and June.