Mary Mahoney's Old French House — Restaurant in Biloxi

We moved down to the Gulf Coast 3 years ago, and ever since, everyone says you have to go to Mary Mahoney’s. So we finally did. I could have waited 3 more years or waited forever.

There’s a charm to the building and courtyard. You feel like you have stepped back in time when you enter. The old courtyard and handcrafted brick is definitely cool. When you enter, it’s directly to the bar, you venture past and up some stairs to the host stand. This entry that allows you to peak into an office as you stroll by helps continue the feel. Up till that moment, you feel good about your choice. That all changes when you get sat. The price point and reputation suggest fine dining. In reality it’s just old dining, with prices adjusted for inflation. The dining room was full of out dated bland art work that hadn’t been dusted and was crooked on the wall.

The appeal of the exterior is lost inside. It looks less like they are trying to stay true to the history and more like they’d rather not spend money updating, painting, etc.

The service was ok, no where near what you’d expect at that price point. We sat for 10 mins before they filled out waters and another 5 or so before we put our drink orders in. There’s no drink menu, completely dependent upon the server here. The server offered to check on a few bourbons but didn’t know if they had them. They brought out 2 massive rolls of bread that were basic store bought loaves and basic melted butter. Presentation was non existent, meaning they brought it all out and set it in front of you like you were at Longhorn. We ordered the $20 crab cake appetizer - it was 2 of them and they were good. Nothing great, nothing bad, they were good. Not $10 a bite good but good. My wife ordered the the St Patrick. We were told it was excellent but very garlicky. We later heard the waiter at the table next to us telling his table the dish was terrible. I ordered the Wagyu Sirloin Strip. This is where the dinner became comical. Wagyu, hell no! Not even American wagyu, let alone real Wagyu. Seems like this place places a fancy label on a piece of meat they bought then froze from Winn Dixie. The steak was cooked perfectly, which makes me even more certain that it was either frozen previously or a really cheap piece of steak. Void of flavor, no seasoning, then to hide all that like they know - they lay the steak into a plate of au jus. They tried to make it worth $64.00 but I would not pay Texas Roadhouse prices for their steak. I can name 15 to 20 places to get a steak at on the Gulf before this place. Now my wife’s dinner was excellent, not too garlicky at all, the Worcestershire flavoring wasn’t too much either. It was good. My twice baked potato was clearly cooked in the morning than kept warm all day, now that didn’t detract from the taste but not what other places offer at lower price points. I ordered an old fashioned, no idea what bourbon was used, information was never offered.

I prefer the steak elsewhere, well everywhere else. I wouldn’t take family that was in town visiting. Honestly unless I was there to hang at the bar and then walk across to the Beau, I would never return. Save your money, go somewhere else. You won’t hate it, until you pay your check, then it will sink in that you just dropped 200 on a meal that’s worth the cost of a Golden Coral...

It so true that when one has a bad experience, that experience, it will be shared with many more vs a good experience. I will say Mary Mahoneys has always been a staple in historic restaurants on the coast. I have always held this restaurant in high regard and being in the hospitality industry myself, I have sent newcomers to the coast to Mary Mahoney’s, unfortunately this has halted. (The last few recommendations sent service was also lacking) I was told of a horrible experience my mother and her long time friend had this afternoon whilst they were trying to enjoy a nice lunch at this establishment. As the female server came to the table she did not introduce herself and seemed annoyed that her guests was asking questions about the way “ the food they both going to eat” was prepared…as they knew what they wanted, the server said, “ it seems like you need more time” then her guests stated well my friend is ready to order because she has to go right after. The server replied, “well I have to go to, because I have other tables to serve”. In shock a person that would respond to a guest this way, at a restaurant at this supposed level. Then this server stated said she would get them another server. The older server whom came out was on the same level of unprofessionalism. He gave no intro, and was leaning on the chair as he attempted to take the order. He was unfamiliar with the preparation of one of the selected lunch items etc. When he left to enter order it took 30mins for bread to come to table, as the female server who didn’t have time servered three to four tables (with food delivered) after she rudely dismissed these ladies table with her disgusting attitude. It was now the effort for the ladies to seek a manager - whilst waiting, for the manager, the older server comes out to ask why they wanted to speak to a manager; which should never happen. Outcome of not training staff to follow through with high end guest service is an assurance neighboring restaurants gain more business, no more referrals to new visitors to the coast and loss of 30+ year foodie. As the manager was called as she was too busy to come speak to the ladies within an appropriate time…the ladies just walked out without order being served for 45mins. My mothers friend used to come to MM with her husband for years and felt the need to connect with the MOD. The manager, in an effort to repair the damage, was to give a $50 gift card. This screams volumes to the reason why staff lacks service skills. If a person has had their experience ruined you want to attempt to give away free food. With a restaurant with tons of history and have been a pillar in the Biloxi community tolerates staff like this is pathetic. Do better! I tell my staff at each pre-shift to always treat all guests like VIPs as you never know whom is going to walk through the doors. (Gave service one star as I couldn’t...

Wow! I’m not shocked that Mary Mahoney’s has pulled this scam off! Actually, I have pretty much known for years that this was happening with the seafood that was being purchased, plus,“Tony” is not the only one that was aware of what was going on! It’s absolutely disgusting and pathetic that this establishment would stoop that low! We all hear about mechanics telling little old ladies that they change their brakes on the car, when they actually just added brake fluid, but still charged them the big price! I guarantee you, that while Bobby “ wish I was a comic” Mahoney was telling all the guest, the most corniest jokes ever, he was actually making people look the other way, and make them eat in the dark so they couldn’t tell what they had on their plate! All the little old ladies that were lied to is absolutely horrible! It just goes to show, no matter how good a person is, they are still out to deceive people and that’s exactly what Mahoneys has been doing for years! Year after year after year! Most definitely, they should go hang their head on the wall of shame! And “Tony” thought that he was so smart and slick! By the way, my jokes were funnier than yours all day long! I can only imagine that Miss Mary is rolling in her grave! How embarrassing and disgusting, after Miss Mary put an empire together, and it took a son, and a nephew, to screw it all up! Need to learn some new jokes there, Mr. Bobby hopefully ones that are better than you already know! “ The truth will always prevail, but if it’s preceded by a lie, it will not set you free”! I’ve got some fresh alligator meat, if you would like to pass it off as fresh red snapper caught this morning! Unbelievable! What y’all have done is the lowest of the low! May the good Lord, forgive you! JIMI MC Hey, hey, my, my, It seems the plot has thickened! I wonder how deep the rabbit hole...