New Hattiesburg restaurant serves authentic New Orleans muffalettas, po'boys and more
Many Hattiesburgers enjoy an occasional trip to New Orleans where they can get a muffaletta or shrimp po'boy — or maybe some gumbo or red beans and rice.
Albert and Felicia Jackson, University of Southern Mississippi alumni, wanted to bring New Orleans to Hattiesburg, so they opened their restaurant, Uncle Al's Po'Boys, located at 6152 U.S. 98 West.
"My wife and I got the opportunity to move back to Hattiesburg after 29 years," Albert Jackson said.
When Felicia Jackson started her new job in Hattiesburg, her husband got to work opening Uncle Al's.
"We got a chance to bring something we absolutely love to Hattiesburg," Albert said. "We brought a taste of New Orleans."
The menu features a number of classic po'boys, like the Cajun roast beef served hot with gravy or fried oysters from the Gulf of Mexico. The restaurant also offers a number of other dishes, including fried seafood and specialty burgers and chicken sandwiches. There's even a grilled cheese for those who like to keep it simple.
"We kinda measure our roast beef in napkin levels," Albert said.
Uncle Al's also offers daily lunch specials Monday through Friday and a variety of salads. The lunch specials include items from the menu and specialty dishes like chicken and sausage jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, shrimp fettuccine alfredo and classic spaghetti with meat sauce.
"We have something for everyone," Albert said.
Albert Jackson said the restaurant's bestsellers are the shrimp po'boy followed by the Cajun roast beef. The muffalettas are popular, too. For dessert, the bread pudding, served with a white chocolate sauce, is high on the list.
Most of the ingredients either come from Louisiana or are locally sourced in Mississippi, Albert said. Even the Big Shot sodas are made in New Orleans.
"The important thing about Uncle Al's is keeping it as authentic as we can," Albert Jackson said. "The one thing that really differentiates us from local competitors is a lot of our products come out of Louisiana or New Orleans — all our meats, our breads, our muffalettas.
"We use Mississippi-raised catfish and we try to support our local vendors as well."
Uncle Al's decor has a Big Easy theme, including Mardi Gras beads and cabinets with fleur de lis knobs. Photographs and artwork depicting scenes from New Orleans adorn the bright yellow walls.
"You don't have to drive to New Orleans to get a true New Orleans-style, authentic po'boy and other delicacies," Albert said.
Now that Uncle Al's in Hattiesburg is up and running, Albert Jackson, who is from Madison, said he and his wife, who is from Liberty, plan to open two Uncle Al's restaurants in the Jackson area in 2024 and 2025.
To learn more
Uncle Al's Po'Boys is located at 6152 U.S. 98 West, next to Lagniappe Eye Care; 601-407-9825.
Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Website: unclealpoboys.com; Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092599314086; Instagram: instagram.com/unclealpoboys
Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.
This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Uncle Al's Hattiesburg serves New Orleans style po'boys, muffalettas
