It seems the majority of folks in this state think Mugshots makes the best burger around. Certainly, you will find a few who will argue with you, but every time the public in general is polled, Mugshots takes first place, and that’s since 2007.
The story of Mugshots is a simple one. Two college friends dream of opening a restaurant, but they want to get it right. The premise is equally as simple: great food, good drinks, a fun atmosphere, and all at a fair price. Lots of newly minted entrepreneurs start this way, but these two buds stuck it out, worked hard, and, perhaps most importantly, keep their standards up and serve amazingly good food.
If you haven’t visited a Mugshots yet, know that there are well over two dozen locations and more seem to be popping up all over the place. My favorite is in the middle of downtown Biloxi on Main Street.
The building still sparkles like new and is huge. There are at least thirty booths, tables for six and four, a patio, plus a good-sized bar, so the chances of waiting on a table seem small. And just in case you want to watch a baseball game while you eat, every seat in the house has a view of a big screen TV.
But let’s get one thing straight from the start, this place is all about the burgers! There are twenty-two on the menu, and if you can’t find a burger on this menu that rings your bell, you’re likely not going to find a burger anywhere. Think I am kidding? I found twenty different toppings just on the first half of the burger menu, and that included pretty interesting choices, like the famous Mississippi Come-Back Sauce, house made rotel sauce, and even a battered and fried burger that comes with pan gravy. See what I mean?
I started with Tee’s Cheese Wedges and couldn’t have found a better starter for a burger feast. These delicious wedges are made with mozzarella and pepper jack cheese, fried until they are crunchy and served with a just right marinara sauce.
Next up was a dream come true for any serious cheeseburger fan. Da Big Cheese is indeed a big burger, a two hander in fact, and it is loaded with pepper jack, cheddar and swiss cheese and if you get it with the sweet potato fries you will be as happy as a burger fan can be.
The last burger I looked at, and it is a sad thing that a man can only eat so many burgers at one setting, was the fabulous Mac and Cheese Burger. Get this, this crazy burger is in fact in a grilled cheese sandwich with a grilled burger in the middle, hickory smoked bacon is also added, and the whole thing is anointed with mac and cheese. Can the good dreams never end?
There certainly is more on the menu at Mugshots than burgers, including a dozen appetizers, fourteen sandwiches, salads, pasta and desserts, but if you have any love at all for the American classic burger, you’ll know what to order.
Great atmosphere, diverse and imaginative menu and sharp service. There’s a reason why Mugshots is a fan-favorite in Mississippi.