I’m not a po-boy person. This iconic Mississippi Coast restaurant just changed my mind.
Pirate hospitality has come a long way from the grog-filled taverns of the 17th century.
When Irish pirate Patrick Scott prowled the Mississippi Coast in the early 1800s, surely he envisioned an establishment that served sandwiches and glass bottled root beer for pirates.
If my baseless speculation is correct, he would be proud of what he’d find today.
The Pirate’s Cove restaurant in Pass Christian does just that.
Specializing specifically in po-boys and beloved by Robin Roberts and Tig Notaro, the Pirate’s Cove hosts hungry swashbucklers and lures them in with a wide array of various versions of the Gulf Coast favorite from their spot on Menge Ave. near the beach.
What the Cove lacks in rum barrels, it makes up for in Blue Bell ice cream and yellow souvenir cups.
And, of course, the main attraction are the po-boys.
They come in shrimp, oyster or catfish. You can also get them in roast beef, hamburger or chicken strips. On my visit, I got a half of the cajun sausage and a half of the buffalo chicken, bacon and ranch.
The force behind the steady stream of sailors rolling through the doors of the restaurant became apparent as I dove in. There were no sirens pulling these folks in. These ‘boys slapped.
Po-boys are almost never my first choice anywhere, but it’s clear the Cove has perfected its craft. The separated toasted bread halves kept the breadiness to a minimum. The cajun sausage provided a taste of home mingled with a mustard kick and the buffalo chicken was a wonderfully well done take on the popular sandwich.
If you’re looking for a new sandwich shop to plunder, consider the Pirate’s Cove. Just remember to pillage responsibly and tip your server.
