Jackson Free Press

The growing Fondren restaurant scene has a new option for breakfast: Mimi's Family and Friends. Jackson natives Linda and Jim Burwell opened Mimi's last Friday. The Burwells live next door to the location, and Linda had eyed the former service station at the corner of North State and Hartfield streets for over a year.

"I would wake up in the night, look out the window, and say, 'I just love that building,'" Linda says. "I started dreaming about it, and eventually I just said, 'Well somebody's trying to tell me I should do this."

The Burwells have arranged tables and chairs under the building's distinctive awning. Linda also hopes to open up a deck behind the building for more outdoor seating and art.

The Burwells have owned and operated restaurants since 1978, starting with Lloyd's Kitchen at North State Street and Sheppard Road, and ending, most recently, with Burwell's Deli, which closed its Amite Street location in 2001.

Mimi's serves breakfast and lunch. Jim hopes to make Mimi's cheese grits a flagship offering. Lunch offerings include a Cuban sandwich with spicy roast pork and a shrimp remoulade that Jim developed from dishes served at the Jackson Country Club and Sun-n-Sand Motel.

Linda, whose grandchildren call her "Mimi," describes the restaurant's mission as "fun, food and funky art." On walls and small tables, the restaurant displays work by local artists, including daniel johnson and the Burwells' daughter, Natalie Ray. Linda hopes the restaurant will connect local artists and potential buyers in a more relaxed atmosphere than a gallery. Artists abound in the city, she says.

"I think that's what's so neat about Jackson," Linda says. "There are so many people that are so talented in so many ways."

Mimi's Family and Friends is open Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. 3139 North State St., 601-366-6111.

Previous Comments

ID

156957

Comment

You can get the cheese grits with roasted garlic and green onions, which I'd like to confirm is fantastic.

Author

David McCarty

Date

2010-03-29T15:42:49-06:00

ID

156958

Comment

Might have to try them one morning. Burwell's Deli used to have an awesome grilled cheese sandwich. $4 was a bit high, but at least it was worth it.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-03-29T16:04:56-06:00