Pearl’s Diner — Restaurant in Laurel

Pearls was packed when we arrived around 1 P.M. and it took a little while to place our order, which is a good sign. When our order arrived at our table, my 1st impression was portion size was on the small size & some of our plates and bowls were chipped up so bad that they should have already been in the trash, but that didn't stop me from eating. I tried my Jalapeno Cornbread 1st, and was pleasantly surprised, as it was some of the best cornbread that I've ever gotten from a restaurant, though it never tasted like it had Jalapenos in it and I only found one small diced piece of pepper in it, it was still GREAT cornbread. Now the Black Eyed Peas were just as good as the cornbread, but the portion size was more like a sample. Move on to the green beans and they were good, but couldn't compete with the Black Eyed Peas. Now on to the pieces de resistance, for which I spent two years trying to try to no avail, because an Auctioneer in Newton, Mississippi told me he had gotten the best Fried Chicken ever at Pearls. I had ordered the White Meat Plate that consisted of one Wing & one small or miscut Breast, which I had to wait for them to cook and that part is a Big Plus in my book, as I never mine waiting on fresh cooked food. I started off with the Wing and it was really good, while the Breast was as tough as old shoe leather, but I understand that Pearls had no control nor way of knowing the Chicken Breast was tough, that one falls on the Chicken Producers and the way they raise modern Chickens. Ronney had the Hamburger Steak, which came out smothered in Gravy, that he would rather they had left off, but their menu description didn't tell you this & the lady taking our order didn't ask him if he wanted it with or without said Gravy. He said the rice tasted like it had the same Gravy, and he too had also gotten Green Beans and a roll. He did say that the Hamburger Steak tasted like it was fresh made and not frozen. We passed on Dessert at $5 a serving. All in All the food itself was good, but the portion sizes were lacking, especially for a cafe'/diner in the South, and even that would not have been a deal breaker, if the two plates with one meat, two veggies, a serving of bread, and a drink(mine was tap water), had not cost $28 and some change. For $2 more three people could have had just as good a meal at Mom & Dad's Buffet in Petal, Mississippi, just a few miles down the road, and that would have been all you could eat. Though the damaged dinner ware was not a deal breaker, the portion sizes and the price were, so this was probably my first and last visit to Pearls as it just didn't live up...

If there was ever a place serving a meat and 3 or true southern country cooking, that could be labeled best, this is the place. The cornbread was amazing! The fried chicken was delectable, the rice and gravy I could have eaten a salad bowls worth, but my 4 yr old beat me to it so I know it's good. She does not typically eat rice nor gravy...so to have her eat my entire side spoke volumes. Oh even the Lima beans were good....and I don't eat the stuff. I did that day....I also had the yams...omfg amazing. I want that meal apart of my everyday diet. Then in a moment of weakness for the sake of tasting all the goodness the Keto diet typically doesn't encourage, I had the banana pudding. (Throws down gloves and grips table tightly) if you have to second guess ordering anything on the menu, order the banana pudding. You won't be disappointed. Unless you hate bananas, then you can't be trusted anyway and you need to let natural selection take place.

This banana pudding was amazing! I crave it as I type this and just realized I drooled on my shirt. I bought 1 bowl to share with the family and I went back for 3 more bowls and a cornbread little rounds. We all may have diabetes now, but I'm ok with it and will gladly return as soon as possible to taste the South's best kept secret.

DO NOT SKIP THIS EATERY WHEN VISITING LAUREL. YOU WILL REMAIN BLISSFULLY IGNORANT.

Seriously if you don't get a physiological reaction to good food, then you're half dead already and these good eats will be wasted on you so don't do that to anyone in the Laurel community.

This spot was also a blast to the past in a sense that the decor was classic! I was 1 black and white milkshake away from singing show tunes.

I want one of these places in my town, because Pearl's diner is an American treasure. An American dream. A damn good place to eat. Oh I also got to meet Pearl and her son. And the folks busing tables were amazing when helping me keep my 6 and 4 yr olds chill while my 5 month old was getting impatient. They rocked! It was the best eating experience for me in my last decade.

Why are you still reading this review! Get inside and order you...

YEEEEEHAW, I'm here to tell ya about the greatest dang diner in the whole wide world, Pearl's Diner in Laurel, Mississippi! This place is a PATRIOT'S PARADISE, let me tell ya!

First off, the second you walk through them doors, you're greeted by the sweetest, most all-American staff you ever did see. They got them big ol' smiles on their faces and they treat you like family. You feel right at home, like you're sittin' down for Sunday dinner with your kin.

Now let's talk about the food, my friends. OH LAWD, the food! It's like your mama's cookin' on steroids! I got me a big ol' plate of their famous chicken fried steak and it was better than anything I ever ate in my life. The gravy was smooth as silk and the meat just melted in my mouth. And don't even get me started on them biscuits! They're so fluffy and delicious, I could eat a whole basket myself. WOOO, my mouth's waterin' just thinkin' about it!

And while you're chowin' down, you can enjoy some good old-fashioned Southern hospitality. The folks at Pearl's Diner sure know how to make you feel welcome. They got that small-town charm that you just don't find in them big cities. They treat you with respect and call you "sir" or "ma'am" like folks oughta.

Now listen here, my friends, if you're lookin' for a place to eat that's got good, honest, God-fearin' folks and food that'll make your taste buds do a little dance, then Pearl's Diner is the place for you. It's a little slice of heaven right here on Earth. So you best get your tail down to Laurel, Mississippi and pay them a visit. YA HEAR ME?!? YOUR TASTE BUDS...