Review: Crechale's

(Credit: Leah Starnes)

Crechale's: it is Jackson.

Crechale’s Restaurant has been a Jackson eatery for over 50 years. They are an American traditional and classic fixture in the metro area.

Owned and operated by Bob Crechale, the tradition his family started has continued to have a loyal following of regular guests as well as families that have gotten to know the restaurant through their own generations.

A special and unique dining experience can be found seven nights a week from 4-10 p.m. Bob is always ready to greet you with a “good to see you” and put you on the waiting list.

You can walk next door to the bar and relax as you wait for your name to be called. His wait staff are extremely loyal and efficient with some of his staff having been there since the beginning and have perfected the ingredients that makes Crechale’s a must try.

The food: The onion rings are absolutely the best around especially when soaked with the comeback dressing that is the restaurant’s staple dressing.

Not on the menu is a variety plate filled with fried chicken livers, boiled eggs, bacon, cheese, olives and tomatoes. A regular treat, especially if you are with a group.

The steak choices are prime filet, prime ribeyes, prime strips, and beef shish kabob or beef en brochette with bacon which you can pick out from their open old fashion meat cooler or let them fix it to perfection from the kitchen.

Their melt-in-your-mouth filet wrapped in bacon is my favorite, which is seasoned just right and perfectly prepared. As an extra flavor-filled finish ask for it to be served on a hot plate.

Their baked potatoes are the best I have ever had, consistently the same, secretly cooked and wrapped in foil and served piping hot with plenty of real butter.

The seafood selections vary from a plentiful platter of fried oysters, shrimp, fish of the day, and a choice of a fresh soft shell crab or stuffed crab. Flounder broiled or fried is whole and will be de-boned right at your table for you.
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d snapper, snapper Lena, catfish, trout, lobster, shrimp, kabobs, scallops, frog legs, oysters, and stuffed or soft shell crabs round out their seafood offerings that can be served fried or broiled.

The hamburger steak will cover your entire plate served with brown gravy and onions or plain, which with some of the great comeback dressing is divine.

The breaded veal cutlets are plentiful as well as homemade spaghetti and meatballs. The poultry offerings include a half chicken hickory smoked, chicken livers  and chicken tenders.

All entrees come with a Crechale’s crisp garden salad (or you can substitute a Greek salad for an extra charge) as well as the fantastic baked potato or fries. All dishes come with a basket of toasted crouton bread and delicious rolls and butter.

The drink: The deli next door to the main building serves as the bar and waiting area where you can get mixed drinks, wine and beer. They also serve iced tea and bottled soft drinks. The deli has a television and a couple of games and is the perfect spot to start your evening before moving next door for your great meal.

The scene: The restaurant is a unique experience as soon as you walk through the doors. The classic booths, the memorabilia on the walls, the antique juke box with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Buffett, country crooners and many old classics will take you back in time as you prepare to dine with some of the greatest steaks and seafood in town.

If you are celebrating a birthday or an anniversary be prepared for Bob to crank up the juke box with “Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here” as everyone claps and sings to you.  I don’t think there is another restaurant around that gives you such great food choices with that down home feel.

The bottom line: Crechale’s is a can’t miss local eatery. Many dignitaries have dined there as well as many famous Mississippi celebrities. You feel like family each and every time you walk in and are greeted by Bob by a great big smile and “Good to have you tonight!” They have some of the best service and food you will find anywhere in the world. Crechale’s deserves to be around for another 50-plus years for even more generations to enjoy. Good food, good friends, and a great time to be had upon every visit.

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