Chapman’s Restaurant

My first experience here was back in ’85. I was in high school and had a friend that was getting married, yes married (10^th grader), and they held a dinner at Chapman’s. My husband and I came this past Sunday to try the country buffet. My husband informed me that we had dined here together once before, in ’02. I had no recollection of that night. It must have been really unimpressive. The waitress working in ’02 was dating my husband’s coworker and the three of us obviously had supper there and she waited on us. I still don’t remember it. That same waitress is the one that waited on us this past Sunday.
All the waitstaff on our side were very friendly and happy. The dining area was full but not to capacity. The closest church hadn’t let out yet, so I imagine it would get pretty crowded then. The salad bar had plenty of variety to choose from and even had three types of fresh whole peppers, jalapeños, banana, and thin green peppers (those I call bean peppers because they are the ones you make pepper sauce to eat with pinto beans).
The country buffet was OK but nothing groundbreaking or earthshaking in the uniqueness of flavor profiles. The macaroni and cheese was from scratch but it was cold, sticky and bland. Potato salad was very creamy and not overly seasoned. Slaw was tangy, good, but I couldn’t eat much of it. Creamed corn from a can and cold. Green beans had some onion cooked in them, but they were cold and bland. I’m sensing a theme here. Dressing was cold, bland and a hint of sweet (reserved judgement until I could get a sample from a fresh hot pan). Mashed potatoes had a hint of garlic and some peel left in, but they were cold. Fish strips were hot and good. Actually, we ate more fish and hushpuppies than the vegetables that we drove there for.
I got a spoonful of hot dressing and it did taste better hot, but really needed some salt and sage. The gravy was watery and had large pieces, and even half-​yolk pieces, of boiled egg and tasted bland. Yes, I was disappointed in the meal because we went specifically for the dressing and it wasn’t worth the drive and money. We did fill up on fish and hushpuppies.
I got a sample of all three cobblers, plum, peach and chocolate. Peach was the best for me. Not too sweet and rich, it hit the sweet spot.
My husband was very disappointed and regrets not trying a steak or burger instead. A man across from us did get a steak and baked potato. It looked good and he didn’t have to saw the meat to eat it so it must’ve been tender. I didn’t smell any grill smoke or see any coming from the building when we walked in or when leaving. Probably just a flat iron cooked steak.
My husband did have a steak that night so many years ago in ’02 and he didn’t remember anything about it, so we assume it wasn’t that good. Hell, he had a steak that was so good (in Florence, AL) in the summer that he hasn’t shut up about it yet. So, wherever he does order a steak, it has to live up to the Roadhouse and I don’t see any place in Alcorn County doing that.

A landmark in our area– Memphis people drive down just to eat here. Some of the best catfish in Corinth without a long drive to Pickwick along with a varied menu to please everyone in the crowd. Seafood buffet on Friday and Saturday nights is locally popular, as is a Sunday luncheon buffet. For big city folks who’ve forgotten what the stars look like when you’re away from the light pollution of urban areas, check out the sky when leaving Chapman’s if the weather is nice.
As I drove by today on my way to Memphis and stopped to take a couple of Unilocal pictures, I also realized another odd but interesting fact about this restaurant. In Northeast Mississippi, known as «hill country», you are traveling in what I refer to as the «Alps» of Mississippi. The highest point in the state of Mississippi is near Iuka in nearby Tishomingo County at 806′ above sea level, unless you picnic you won’t be dining there. The highest point in Alcorn County is Crum Mountain 725′ above sea level located probably 5 miles South of Chapman’s and, if you can reach it, unless you brought a picnic you won’t be dining there either. Chapman’s Restaurant is about 670′ above sea level which probably qualifies it as the highest altitude restaurant in the State of Mississippi. Don’t expect snow and skiing except on rare occasions, we still are in Mississippi ya’ll.
Since I first wrote this review, I’ve eaten here several times, including last night on my birthday as well as many times over the prior 30 years or so before Unilocal ever came into being. The fried catfish, hushpuppies and slaw are among the best examples of the traditional way catfish has been prepared in this area for a hundred years or more. Quail is another featured item which I’ve never eaten but once was the reason for a visit to the area by a somewhat forgotten in history then Vice-​President, Spiro Agnew who enjoyed quail hunting. My son enjoyed the steamed crab-​legs with melted butter. We came late and the buffet was somewhat lacking so if that is your objective, try to arrive before 8 pm.