Review: Toulas Café

The chicken salad stuffed avocado salad with raspberry vinaigrette. (Credit: Leah Starnes)

Toulas Café recently opened in Clinton in new the Chapatoula Building, hence the name of the restaurant.

A very welcome addition to the ever increasing business environment of Clinton, Toulas and their beautiful new two story building and quaint atmosphere is sure to make it a must-visit lunch spot.

Owners Becky Bowen and Penny Bankston have acquired an expert in the restaurant business as their chef in Sam Sanders who owns Sam’s Westside in Jackson and is the son of the famous Poets restaurant owner. He is bringing some great dishes to Clinton and the menu fare offers up something for everyone.

The food: Toulas has only been open less than a month and is already beginning to have a regular following craving their fresh ingredients and homemade items. The menu consists of salads, soups, and sandwiches with some great homemade desserts.

Their seafood gumbo comes by the bowl or the cup, and is offered up with several of their entrée items. Homemade crawfish pie, shrimp salad stuffed avocado, Toulas Mardi Gras pasta salad, seared tuna salad, and the Southwestern Cynthia Street salad of turkey, salsa, cheese and ranch are all pretty darn good.

The chicken salad stuffed avocado salad we tried was delicious with its great raspberry vinaigrette dressing and is a definite must-try. Also, if you are a bit hungrier, the four cheese spinach and vegetable lasagna is some of the best around. It will take several visits to decide on a favorite menu item that’s for sure.

The Toulas burgers with sautéed mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and avocado looked really good and are served up with either fries, or fruit salad.

A char-grilled turkey burger for the health conscious diner, or red beans and rice with smoked sausage round out their daily offerings. They are beginning to add more menu items daily so don’t be surprised to see a couple of new items upon each visit (no item is over $10).

The side offerings include crawfish pie, fresh cut fries, mixed green salad or a cup of the delicious gumbo. If you have the kiddies along on your visit they have special chicken tenders and grilled cheese just for the little ones.

A nice selection of homemade desserts are available including a peach crisp, key lime mousse cake, Shirley’s pecan pie or homemade cookies with ice cream.

They offer up Toulas-To-Go for a $1.00 service charge so you can call in your order ahead and pick it up at your convenience.

The drink: A nice variety of soft drinks are available as well as orange juice, coffee, and fresh sweet or un-sweet tea. They have a nice selection of beer which includes Bud, Coors, Michelob, Smirnoff green apple and watermelon, Mojito, Heineken and Corona ($2.75-$3.50).

The scene: The building is a two-story, beautifully designed structure with the front of the first floor housing Toulas Café.

Upon entering the building a beautiful staircase takes you to the second floor where they will soon open a banquet room, while the other part of the upstairs has been rented out.

The lower level houses Parkway Interiors Market of consignment antiques and decorating ideas which makes for a great stop before or after your lunch.

The café is beautifully filled with comfortable seating and tables for small quiet lunches or large tables for a group of friends, coworkers or club meetings. The service is impeccable and the food is deliciously presented and prepared.

The bottom line: The owners have been in the restaurant and beverage business for years before making the bold decision to open their own business. They are visible, aiming to please, offering up some great fresh food items and should settle in quite easily in the Clinton area.

If you are looking for a great place to meet with friends and not one of the lucky local diners, jump on the Natchez Trace, make a day of it and visit Toulas Café while you enjoy a great day in the area with all of Olde Towne Clinton’s local flavor, shops and antique stores as well as historic Mississippi College right down the street.

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