LIZZIE WRIGHT
Sweet Success
by Ronni Mott
Mark Scurlock
I
f scents like vanilla and honey are the aphrodisiacs scientists say they are, a walk into Scurlock’s Donut Shop and Eatery may have your nose twitching in an ecstasy of anticipation. The gooey and lusciously sugary smells fairly waft over the corner of Pearl and Congress streets where the little homegrown bakery sits tucked into the ground floor of a big gray office building. Owner Mark Scurlock has been making doughnuts for nearly half his 50 years. He and his wife, Beverly, now deceased, opened for business 23 years ago. The couple ran a shop
near the Metrocenter Mall on Robinson Street for years, and opened the Congress Street location in 2009. Scurlock now focuses solely on his downtown store, which won Best Donuts in this year’s Best of Jackson poll. The shop ready to serve up breakfast by 7 a.m. And don’t worry if sugary treats are off your diet: Scurlock’s also offers a wide variety of other early-morning staples including eggs, bacon, sausage and ham, plus biscuit and croissant sandwiches. “We put forth a lot of effort,” Scurlock says of himself and his staff. “We care about our customers and
Best Red Beans & Rice Second: Hal & Mal’s (200 S. Commerce St., 601.948.0888) Third: Fat Tuesday’s (6923 Old Canton Road, Suite 105, Ridgeland, 601.956.2971) Good Showing: Georgia Blue (111 Colony Crossing, Madison, 601.898.3330); Rooster’s (2906 N. State St., Suite 104, 601.982.2001); Cherokee Drive Inn (1410 Old Square Road, 601.362.6388)
Best Seafood: AJ’s Seafood Grille 361 Township Ave., Ridgeland, 601.856.2844; 223 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601.919.1900, ajsgrille.com Second: Mayflower Café (123 W. Capitol St., 601.355.4122) Third: Walker’s Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601.982.2633) Good Showing: Sal & Phil’s (6600 Old Canton Road, Suite B, Ridgeland, 601.957.1188); Parlor Market (115 W. Capitol St., 601.360.0090); Bonefish Grill (201 Colony Way, Madison, 601.607.3334)
Work. Live. Play. Prosper.
what they eat. Also, we try to make a good name for the business.” A Webb native, Scurlock says he wanted to be part of Jackson’s downtown renaissance. With the city’s concentrated effort in growing the business district, the move was good for his business. It’s not that he favors one neighborhood over another though. “I like Jackson as a whole,” he says. The joint offers a few lunch items such as burgers and fries, and offers a plate lunch special every weekday. Those items are all well worth their modest prices, but it is Scurlock’s baked goodies that have its many loyal customers coming back for more. Instantly transform yourself into the office hero by leaving a big white
box of assorted Scurlock’s treats in the coffee room. One bite of an apple fritter, bear claw or a hot glazed doughnut is enough to convince connoisseurs that they’ve just found a little corner of doughy heaven. “We never get complacent,” Scurlock told BOOM Jackson just before opening the downtown location. “We want to make sure we have a good product, but if we can make it better, you bet we will.” Scurlock’s Donut Shop and Eatery (125 S. Congress St., Suite 106, 601.326.8520) is open from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. on weekdays, and 7 a.m. until noon on Saturday. Lunch is available starting at 10:30 a.m. Visit scurlockdonuts.com for the menu and more.
Best Doughnuts: Scurlock’s Donut Shop and Eatery 125 S. Congress St., Suite 106, 601.326.8520, scurlockdonuts.com Second: Donut Palace (multiple locations; call 601.919.8601) Third: Shipley’s Do-Nuts (103 Highway 80 E., Clinton, 601.925.0020) Good Showing: Pillow Donuts (1679 Old Fannin Road, Suite D, Flowood, 601.992.6040; 707 Beau Pre Drive, Ridgeland, 601.790.9697); Monroe’s (6310 Medgar Evers Blvd., 601.981.3208) and Sweet Sensations (5036 Parkway Drive, 769.233.7409)
Best Sit-Down Breakfast/ Brunch, Best Plate Lunch: Primos Café and Bake Shop 2323 Lakeland Drive, 601.936.3701 and 515 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601.898.3600, primoscafe.com
Best Sit-Down Breakfast Second: Another Broken Egg Café (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, 601.790.9170) Third: Broad Street Baking Company and Café (4465 Interstate 55 N., 601.362.2900) Good Showing: Mimi’s Family and Friends (now closed); Julep Restaurant and Bar (1305 E. Northside Drive, 601.362.1411); Char (4500 Interstate 55 N., 601.956.9562)
Best Plate Lunch Second: Walker’s Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601. 982.2633) Third: The Trace Grill (554 Highway 51 N, Suite. F, Ridgeland, 601.853.1014) Good Showing: Cherokee Inn (1410 Old Square Road, 601.362.6388); McDade’s Markets (multiple locations); Grant’s Kitchen (2847 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601.665.4764)
Best Ethnic or Specialty Grocery: Rainbow Natural Grocery Cooperative 2807 Old Canton Road, 601.366.1601, rainbowcoop.org Second: Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese Cooking (5465 Interstate 55 N., 601.978.1865) Third: Aladdin’s Grocery Store (740 Lakeland Drive, 601.366.2102) Good Showing: Patel Brothers (1999 Highway 80 W., 601.353.6611); Van Hung Asian Market (637 Highway 51 N., 601.856.9638); Carniceria Valdez (6350 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601.899.6992)
Best Steak: Tico’s Steak House 1536 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland, 601.956.1030, ticossteakhouse.com Second: Shapley’s Restaurant (868 Centre St., Ridgeland, 601.957.3753) Third: Char (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601.956.9562) Good Showing: Olga’s Fine Dining (4760 Interstate 55 N., Suite D, 601.366.1366); Walker’s Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601 982.2633) 61