It is the Mardi Gras time of year. Our thoughts turn toward New Orleans with parades, parties, and celebrations, plus, of course, Fat Tuesday – ah, yes, the food. Not to diminish Mardi Gras celebrations held in other locations. In Meridian, Mardi Gras will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the lawn at City Hall.

    Last week, while motoring to the Gulf Coast, via U.S. Highway 49 South, we stopped for lunch at a little place with the name, Louisiana Sisters, located south of Hattiesburg. The building is small and unassuming, but the cuisine offered is the very best made-from-scratch Cajun food, I think, in Mississippi. The family owned restaurant first opened in 1905 in the French Quarter. That’s right – Messina’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar, 200 Chartres Street, New Orleans. What a find!

    It was all by accident (the finding of this fabulous eatery) as we drove along, enjoying a lovely day in Mississippi, my eyes were attracted to a big artsy-styled sign perched atop a small building. LOUISIANA SISTERS it blared – almost with a Cajun accent, I thought as I punched my husband’s shoulder, and said “Look over there.”

    Sometimes I don’t get his attention, but I certainly did this time. Yeppers – he loves him some Cajun. We almost made a u-turn across the highway to drive back to the place. Hey, I know that would have caused a traffic violation fine, but I really think it would have been worth it.

    We entered the eight-table Cajun café and two small ladies (yep, the sisters) motioned that we should come to the counter. The menu was handwritten on a blackboard. I should add just the writing was artwork, colorful and dynamic. Thus began our dilemma – what to order? We were overwhelmed by the variety: shrimp/sausage Grits, Creole combo, Gumbo jambalaya, Red Beans/Rice, Acadiana, Corn bisque with seafood, muffulettas and po-boys – just to name a few of the items.

    Finally after several minutes of drooling, one of the sisters suggested the sampler – some of everything. We decided to order one to share – couldn’t even eat all of it, such were the large servings. I asked a dumb question, “Do you cook this food?”

    The answer, “Yes, Ma’am, we cook everything fresh each morning.”

    As we ate I noticed the colorful artwork displayed throughout the small space. Chef Pattie Tusa-Peyton is the artist. Not only is she a talented restaurateur, but an artist who is strongly influenced by her childhood growing up in New Orleans.

    Pattie is the youngest member of the original family. The extended Messina/Tusa family perfected their Cajun/Italian inspired recipes at the knees of the older ones. Generation after generation taught the youngsters, who learned the art of true French-Quarter-styled-menus.

    Pattie, with a sparkle in her eyes and smile upon her face, shared with me the importance of the American soldier. She offered several photos of family members who served in the military, but I knew the deep commitment when I saw this sign posted in large emboldened letters:

    Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you.

    JESUS CHRIST

    And the American Soldier

    One died for your soul

    The other died for your freedom

    So if you find yourself driving Highway 49 South, located near the north gate of Camp Shelby, please stop for lunch (Monday-Saturday, 11-3) I can guarantee you will return again and again. No more burgers under the warming light, no frozen or micro-waved entries, and no canned or packaged “short cuts” – all authentic cookery that is served in a quaint and artsy atmosphere.

    If you squint your eyes just a little, it would seem you are sitting on Chartres Street in New Orleans.

    Anne McKee is a writer and storyteller. Visit her website: www.annemckee.net