A Pit Stop at Sho Nuff Hot Tamales in Greenville, Mississippi

My cousin and I were driving along and our tummies were rumbling as we crossed the Mississippi state line on US-82.  We didn't really have any particular dish in mind for lunch but we started seeing signs saying "Hot Tamales".

"Hot Tamales", my Philly cousin asked.

"Yep", I replied nonchalantly.  "I remember reading something about hot tamales being a big thing here in the Delta."  

We kept driving and finally decided we would have to try these famous Mississippi Delta hot tamales. Now to decide which one.  There were literally dozens of tamale spots.  We happened upon a restaurant called Sho-Nuff and decided it was the one.

We parked and entered the large, delightfully decorated restaurant.  The wall was plastered with local and national awards in recognition of those hot tamales.  There was a sign touting Sho-Nuff as the winner of the local newspaper's favorite restaurant award and 3rd place winner in the annual Delta Hot Tamale Festival. These hot tamales MUST be good.

We were immediately greeted by the owner, Mr. Perry.  He was taking a phone order and motioned he would be with us in a moment.  

As much as we were tempted to try the hot tamales, the menu offered so many options we ended up going with burger and fries and hot wings.

OUR ORDER

My cousin ordered a burger and fries.  I opted for the lemon pepper hot wings and baked beans. So much for hot tamales huh? 

I figured the wings had to be good because every time the phone rang someone was ordering lemon pepper wings.  I was right!  The lemon pepper wings were well seasoned but the real star was the baked beans with their thick, sweet molasses sauce and a bite of pepper.  

The phone was still ringing off the hook with phone orders and people were constantly coming in and out the restaurant picking up orders they had called.  A group of men stopped in, greeted us and raced to the counter to place their orders.  

They were loud and we couldn't help but overhear them placing their orders.  "Gimme a turkey leg Perry and don't be stingy with the onions" yelled one of the men jokingly.  They sat at a table nearby and one of them sensing we weren't from the area started a random convo with us. 

"Where y'all from?"

"Leave my customers alone" teased Mr. Perry as he brought their orders over.  

The Turkey Leg

The aromas seemed to fill the restaurant.  My cousin and I whispered quietly to each other about their order until I couldn't take it anymore piping up to ask what they ordered that smelled so good.

"Oh this.  This is just a turkey leg."

Now this turkey leg wasn't the kind you see at the State Fair.  The meat was carefully puled from the bone, sauteed with onions and spices and garlic.  

Hog Maws

Another one of the guys ordered hog maws. Hog maws aren't something you see featured regularly on a restaurant menu.  Maws have a mild flavor, and the texture and taste are akin to chitlins/chitterlings.  Hog maws are pig stomachs and are commonly used in menudo soups and stews and if you're lucky you can find them on your favorite taco truck.  Again, something you rarely see on a restaurant menu but hey so were tamales in Mississippi.

Hot Tamales

We never did get around to ordering them.  I told my cousin we'll have to visit Greenville, Mississippi in October for their annual Delta Hot Tamale Festival held on the 3rd weekend in October.

She's game for it and hopefully we'll get around to trying Perry's Sho-Nuff award winning hot tamales. 

Have you ever tried hot tamales? Or visited the Mississippi Delta?