As promised, I compiled a list of my “favorites” from 2023 – included are new supermarket products and hidden gem restaurants that deserve a look in 2024. Without further ado, here’s what captured (and held) my attention in the previous year.
1. Yellowstone Coffee, Steak Rub/Seasoning and Chili – First, full disclosure: I’m not an avid viewer of Yellowstone, the modern-day version of “Dallas" with Kevin Costner as patriarch. However, after I received a box of products created as a result of the show’s popularity, I was eager to see if they lived up to the show’s hype. The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Caramel oatmeal light roast and heavy-duty medium roast bunkhouse coffee met my high coffee expectations. The flavorful steak rub and seasoning transformed a good piece of meat into a great one. And while I found the chili to be a little spicy, it’s a product I would purchase in lieu of any other of the canned varieties on the shelf.
2. Rao’s Made for Home Ketchup – I’ve long been a fan of the New York-based Italian restaurant’s pasta sauces, so I was excited to try the chain’s newest venture into the food business. Three varieties are available: Roma Tomato, Arrabbiata and Truffle Ketchup. I’m not a fan of spicy Arrabbiata pasta sauces, so I tried the milder Roma flavor. Flavorful and delicious, it’s now a staple on my grocery list.
3. Garcia’s Donuts in Laurel – Before you state the obvious…yes, I know doughnut shops are a dime a dozen in Mississippi. But hear me out. This is no ordinary doughnut shop. In fact, I haven’t even tried their doughnuts, although they looked absolutely fabulous. I visited the small restaurant located on 16th Avenue near the U.S. 84 intersection to enjoy lunch with a friend who’d been raving about Garcia’s burgers. So, a burger was on my radar and I wasn’t disappointed. I selected the Comeback burger, but there were many others from which to choose, each one unique and equally delicious-looking. Also on the menu are sandwiches, blue plate specials and original creations that aren’t always on the menu. It’s time for a return visit so I can sample Garcia’s newest invention, fried King Cakes filled with every delicious flavor imaginable. Hours of operations are: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday-Saturday; closed on Sunday.
4. Oreo Thins Lemon Cookie – Since I’m not a huge fan of chocolate, I was excited to see a Golden Oreo filled with a citrusy lemon filling. When the craving for a cookie arises, this variety of Oreo’s famous snack more than rises to the challenge.
5. Kettle Brand Unsalted Chips – I’ve long been honest about my love of potato chips, especially the uber-thick, crunchy variety produced by Kettle Brand. However, I almost had a coronary after adding up the sodium content of the chips I was consuming in one sitting. Learning Kettle produces a salt-free variety was exciting, especially since I had no viable plan for giving up my favorite snack. The only drawback is that the salt-free variety is hard to find…Walmart, Kroger…are you listening?
6.Entenmann's Glazed Cookie Donut Ice Cream Sandwiches – I’ve always been a fan of Entenmann’s packaged baked goods, but their newest product blows everything else out of the water. Picture a vanilla doughnut filled with vanilla ice cream topped with a sugary glaze. The fact that each delicious sandwich is only 7 grams of fat is the icing on the cake.
7. Activia Probiotic Dailies Lowfat Probiotic Yogurt Drinks – Being able to grab one of these flavorful drinks after a workout or any time, really, and receive my daily dose of protein, calcium and probiotics (whatever that is) made these small bottles of goodness a lifesaver this year.
8. Woody’s Roadhouse – I know I’m going to get negative feedback for including this Biloxi restaurant (there's also a Gulfport location) on the list instead of mentioning one of hundreds of locally-owned places, but here goes. Meeting a friend at the Biloxi beachfront restaurant was a decision based on convenience, but once we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. The menu was filled with a variety of burgers, sandwiches, salads and seafood choices. Yes, it’s a franchise restaurant, but when the food is delicious, the view is outstanding, it’s easy to access from U.S. 90 and the price is reasonable, I have no problem recommending it as a place to enjoy a meal when visiting the Gulf Coast.
9. Mrs. Butterworth's Epic Cinnabon Pancake Kit – Who doesn’t love a massive Cinnabon cinnamon roll…or a stack of pancakes? Now, you can have the best of both worlds with this crazy-good innovation from Mrs. Butterworth. With a packet of cream cheese frosting and cinnamon-sugar sauce, it’s a win-win for every pancake-lover.
10. St. Pierre Brioche Waffles with Butter – I’ll admit it; I was a skeptic when I saw this package of shelf-stable waffles in the bread aisle. However, curiosity got the best of me and I decided to give it a try. I’m not sure how they do it – but the waffles DO taste like they’re homemade or at least, fresh from the freezer, then toaster. With a light sugary coating that does a good job of taking syrup’s place, they’re the perfect on-the-go breakfast (or anytime) snack.
Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.
