Steamer’s Restaurant opens at Freedom Corner 

By Ivory Phillips

JA Contributing Editor

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Independence Day celebrations, businessman Antonio Pope staged the grand opening of Steamer’s Restaurant at 3307 Martin Luther King Drive in Jackson. That location is the last stop before one arrives at Freedom Corner, the intersection of Medgar Evers Boulevard and Martin Luther King Drive.

The location itself is likely to boost traffic to and from the restaurant. In addition to being in the backyard of monuments honoring King and Evers, it is within a mile of the historic home of Dr. Margaret Walker Alexander and the home of Medgar Evers.

The restaurant, which is appropriately named Steamer’s because it specializes in seafood, is decorated with photographs, news clippings, and documents on the lives of noted and, in some cases, little known African American contributors and freedom fighters. This enables one to become curious about and/or familiar with significant aspects of the Black experience in Mississippi, America, and abroad. In a further pitch along that line, the menu features dishes such as the MLK Catfish Plate, the Malcolm X Salmon Plate, and the Medgar Evers Pan Trout.

Although to-go orders are available, dining in the restaurant provides opportunities to review historical facts while consuming delicious meals. The restaurant also has ample parking space. 

As patrons frequent the establishment, they will be impressed by the promptness and courtesy of the staff at the restaurant, including opportunities to converse with Pope about his growing up in Jackson and why he is so determined to operate a successful restaurant in his old neighborhood. They will also be pleasantly surprised by the affordable prices designed to suit the budgets of retired and working class people.

Pope had earlier established the restaurant in Westland Plaza. During a serious lull in business, however, that business was closed. In the meantime, he opened his first Steamer’s restaurant in Gluckstadt. 

Because of its location, Steamer’s Freedom Corner restaurant’s décor and tasty menu items are a welcome addition to the area around Freedom Corner and enables the entire city to  grow and prosper.

Other Jackson restaurants with similar atmosphere and affordability as Steamer’s include Lillie’s Restaurant, Bully’s Restaurant, Sugar’s Place, and Country Fisherman. These restaurants show there are many places in Jackson to get a good meal at a reasonable price. One can patronize Steamer’s and the others to help improve the economy of Jackson and enjoy great food at the same time.