Mr. Lake's New Orleans Forum

The historical, lazy susan tabled, boarding house style house/restaurant has greatly diminished- even in this economic recessaion. I have been to four (in Hattiesburg, Brookhavaven. Vicksburg and Mendenhall) and the Dinner Bell is my favorite as it seems to get the most traffic and can afford to serve a substantial variety of dishes.

Is today's health fixation the eventualnear ruination of comfort food? Are we too fixated on technology while we eat rather than comraderie?

Our dad and his wife used to like The Dinner Bell. We don't have that kind of "roundtable" thing here in Lake Charles, but I assure you that comfort food is alive and well here. Don't take my word for it--read The Bear's blog (The Bear Growls).

The Dinner Bell has had the largest pile of fried chicken that I have ever seen when we have dined there.

There is one in Columbia MS:

Round Table
318 Church St
Columbia, MS 39429
601.736.3438 ...

On second thought, there is the Pickett House in Woodville, TX, maybe 2-1/2 hours away. Fried chicken and family type service rules. There have been there since we moved to Pt. Arthur in the mid-seventies. Last I heard, they were still popular. The Coushatta Tribe has a reservation nearby, complete with tourism and gift "shoppe." I will concede that they are past masters of the pine needle basket.

The one in Vicksburg, Walnut Hills, has two meats and at least 8 or so vegetables and starches each day, with a rotating menu. You can order meat and three or just a veggie plate (or from the menu -- I think I've only ever seen 2 or 3 people order from the menu) at a smaller table, or sit at the round table (I think they fit 11) and eat all you can. Fried chicken and fried catfish are very popular days, and I loved the liver day. The vegetables are the smothered type, the mac and cheese is YUMMY. You get a little plate of tiny biscuits and cornbread muffins for the table, and iced tea is included. Not sure about at the round table, but at regular tables, dessert is extra.

http://www.walnuthillsms.net/

I live a block from the Dinner Bell and eat there (too?) often. Its like going to grandmother's house. high cuisine its not, but it certainly reflects our southern heritage.

I've been there, too. This was when the Lopinto family was operating it. John was on the NOPD with me. I understand that it is under new ownership, but nothing much has changed and it's still like grandma's!

Coppie, had I told you that John is back down there now? You might run into him one day or may want to look him up. I can't remember presackly where their son told me they are living, but something in the back of my mind says it might be the nort' shore.