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Hal & Mals
Hal and Mal’s is known for its delicious and award-winning Cajun-style red beans and rice, gumbo, shrimp poboys and even mufalettas. Also, you haven’t eaten southern until you’ve tried their “fried plate,” made world-famous by Jill Conner Browne in her Sweet Potato Queen books. The “fried plate” is just that—mozarella sticks, stuffed jalapenos, fried pickles, onion rings and more. Vegetarians will love their black-bean tamles, Greek salad and all that fried stuff. Oh, and ask for the onion-ring poboy with comeback—a special order I created while looking longingly at someone else’s poboy. I’ve never known them to turn down making it for you.
--Donna Ladd, 2007
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Hal and Mal’s has been serving up tasty snacks (try the tamales or a salad drenched in Comeback sauce), lovely libations and a multitude of musical sounds for the past 25 years. For the past three, it has almost been a second home for me. Whether it is a big-name rock show in the “Big Room,” Karaoke in the brew pub, Barry Leach and the Vamps in the restaurant, or the latest indie rock band in the Red Room, you are sure to find something to keep you up late and bobbing your head. Besides regular rock, jazz, and hip-hop/R&B shows, Hal and Mal’s has also always been open to hosting charity events. The JFP’s Chick Ball, which benefits the Center for Violence Prevention, has called Hal and Mal’s home for the last three years. Mississippi HeARTS Against AIDS also holds its annual event there, and most recently The Capital City Roller Girls held their fundraiser in the Red Room. Hal and Mal’s is also a fantastic spot for private parties, considering the various rooms there are to choose from. And let’s not forget who brings us one of the largest St. Patty’s Day parades (and after-parties) in the United States! Non-musical events at Hal and Mal’s include Pub Quiz (hosted by Shannon and Laura every Tuesday night), Crossroads Film Society movies, and even the occasional play. One of the most memorable plays was “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” a quirky musical performed in 2004 starring then-local sweethearts Living Better Electrically as Hedwig’s band. There is truly something for everyone at this Jackson tradition, and if you’re not careful, you just may wind up calling Hal and Mal’s your second home, too.
--Andi Agnew (Best of Jackson, Best Place for Live Music / Best All-Ages Venue 2007)
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OK, Hal & Mal’s won this award last year, and I swear it meant more to them than the Best Music Venue they also took home. I knew it was a big deal when manager Charley Abraham posted a message on SweetPotatoQueens.com right before the St. Paddy’s madness telling them to be sure to visit the award-winning Hal & Mal’s bathrooms (both of them)—as if they weren’t planning to already. (As for me, an Official Wannabe of the worst order, I have horror stories about having to strip out of that green monster of a costume, as sequins stick in my black fishnets, just to go to the bathroom. I quit peeing on St. Paddy’s Day after the first time.) Go to Hal & Mal’s, see the motorcycle urinals in the men’s room, the ode to blues mama Ma Rainey in the Ladies’. Hope everything comes out, or down, OK.
--Donna Ladd (Best of Jackson, Best Restaurant/Bar Bathroom 2004)
Location
200 Commerce St.
601-948-0888
