I can’t count the number of times I’ve promised this restaurant review, but despite the month-long wait, I’m here to deliver!

Earlier last month, Mark and I joined his parents for dinner at Walker’s Drive-In in Jackson, Mississippi to celebrate my father-in-law’s birthday.

Mark and I have dined at Walker’s twice before, and each meal was as delicious as (if not better than) the last.

As its name suggests, Walker’s used to be an actual drive-in diner. It’s located in the historic Fondren district of Jackson, where much of the movie, The Help, was filmed.

[source]

The restaurant retains its 1950s charm with refurbished booths and tables, but there’s also plenty of elegance, particularly from the lighting, service, and food presentation. The interior is comfortable, quaint, and anything but stuffy, and Chef Derek Emerson’s food is top-notch.

In fact, Chef Emerson was named a 2014 semi-finalist by the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef: South. With consistent, creative (but not fussy), and sustainably-sourced foods, such an honor comes as no surprise.

But now it’s time to get to our meal.

For an appetizer, Mark and I shared the BBQ fried oysters, served with warm brie and apple slaw, while my in-laws each had an (un-pictured) scrumptious-looking salad.

The oysters were lightly battered in cornmeal and served perfectly warm and crisp. From what I remember, the BBQ tasted almost like a remoulade. I managed to scoop up every last morsel of the tangy apple slaw before surrendering our plate and would eat these again any day of the week.

At previous visits to Walker’s, I ordered the sea scallops (to die for!) and the redfish (perfection!), but after glancing at another patron’s steak resting in the kitchen window, I just had to have the Hereford fillet mignon for myself.

Maybe my decision was due to a pregnancy craving (clearly our unborn child is an equal-opportunity omnivore), but we all found it humorous that Mark was the only one who opted for fish. Although I love a good steak from time to time, I almost always order seafood when dining out.

Whatever possessed me to try it, I’m glad I did. The 8-ounce fillet was perfectly seasoned, and I loved the crispy fried onions nestled on top. The cheesy, bacon-filled mashed potatoes were incredibly comforting, and, while fairly ordinary, the asparagus disappeared quickly off my plate, too.

My only regret was ordering my steak medium instead of medium-rare. Though still delicious, especially with the rich red wine sauce, it would have been even better cooked to the proper temperature. (Being 8 weeks pregnant, I didn’t want to risk consuming undercooked meat, though I probably would have been fine.)

For dessert, Mark and I shared an enormous serving of tiramisu. While decadent and delicious, I do wish the espresso flavor had been a bit more pronounced (I love the taste of espresso, what an I say?). Though the heath bar pieces were an interesting addition, I think it made the dessert just a little too sweet. Nevertheless, I had no trouble polishing off more than my fair share!

If you ever find yourself in Jackson, Mississippi, do give Walker’s Drive-In a visit. The prices are reasonable for the generous portions and high-quality ingredients, and the service has never disappointed us.