tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post7855865417847221768..comments2024-03-28T23:48:08.527-05:00Comments on Jackson Jambalaya: Robert St. John: Farewell, Old FriendKingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-49739832275388492762020-08-02T00:40:40.158-05:002020-08-02T00:40:40.158-05:00RSJ has totally disappointed all the loyal custome...RSJ has totally disappointed all the loyal customers who have supported him over the years. We came back after the “Stockyard Steak” fiasco. We tolerated when you ruined the best bar in town with the Branch. We even returned after the recent “Steak and Seafood House” disaster. It was such a wonderful restaurant at times. And yes, what about all those loyal customers who spent thousands of dollars on all those birthdays and other events? Well now you can have some “Tex-Mex” crap. Shame on you RSJ. You should have paid more attention to the wonderful restaurant you had and the people who supported you instead of seeking fake fame in your bogus travel escapes. Hopefully you won’t ruin Tabella. It’s the last semblance of a decent restaurant in Hattiesburg. Hattiesburg has supported you for 30 years with nothing to show for it. Unfortunately, the Crescent City Grill is in the death spiral to mediocrity. Maybe you could take over the Red Lobster as your next restaurant. Why couldn’t you be satisfied having an extremely successful, really good restaurant? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-71119983812994888812020-08-01T16:26:07.061-05:002020-08-01T16:26:07.061-05:004:47 - Howz that? He's announced in multiple m...4:47 - Howz that? He's announced in multiple media that he's opening a place in The Fondren. Is that no longer in the city limits of Jackson?Fried Parrot Legs and Wingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-37559790203622166632020-07-31T16:47:40.360-05:002020-07-31T16:47:40.360-05:00" Sure hope he can bring some of his creation..." Sure hope he can bring some of his creations to Jackson " . <br /> <br />Robert is way too smart to open anything within the Jackson city limits.<br /> <br />However, the Jackson "area" might be a money maker for RSJ.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-48121860914600729082020-07-31T14:39:08.938-05:002020-07-31T14:39:08.938-05:00Everything I've had that comes from his venues...Everything I've had that comes from his venues is exceptional. I once ate at a place near Sam's in Meridian during a soccer tournament - there was not much around. The food was so good, I asked to speak to the chef. Turned out, it was RSJ's. It closed down at some point, and the next time I ate in Meridian it was Weidman's which was not a favorite. This time it was off the charts, again, I asked to compliment the chef - turns out when RSJ's place closed down, Weidman's (new owner I think) hired them all - they learned from the best and put it to good use. Still love that Tabella's and CCG are carrying some of his finest, so at least there's that. If you're ever in Hattiesburg you NEED to go to Tabella's for the lemon crepes. Sure hope he can bring some of his creations to Jackson.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-60907862258702404172020-07-31T09:28:28.072-05:002020-07-31T09:28:28.072-05:00I would imagine he is slow rolling the plans for F...I would imagine he is slow rolling the plans for Fondern. It's hard to be in the restaurant bid'niss at the present time...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-1348372831167115522020-07-30T22:49:02.439-05:002020-07-30T22:49:02.439-05:00I grew up with Robert. I’ve known him for 50 years...I grew up with Robert. I’ve known him for 50 years. He had plenty of legitimate excuses he could have used for any failure. His dad died when he was a small child. But, his mother was and is great. He had a lot of people that loved him. Robert is the quintessential American success story. I and many others are better people for having him as a friend. Wish we had more like him. Wish I was more like himAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-61350368507867349802020-07-30T20:02:14.527-05:002020-07-30T20:02:14.527-05:00Sure is dusty in here. Well said.Sure is dusty in here. Well said.Calm Downnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-51867658283420298122020-07-30T18:06:33.451-05:002020-07-30T18:06:33.451-05:00@12:36 PM - That was just the title chosen by St. ...@12:36 PM - That was just the title chosen by St. John for his article. Goodness! You need to visit the Mahogany Bar and settle down. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-88449865327759248572020-07-30T16:39:48.028-05:002020-07-30T16:39:48.028-05:00I forgot to add, I loved the Purple Parrot.
But I...I forgot to add, I loved the Purple Parrot. <br />But I did spend more time in St. John's Mahogany Bar.<br /> <br />Back in the early 90's, I spent two hours drinking beer with a redneck construction worker in the Mahogany Bar.<br /> <br />It wasn't until the USM classes ended, and twenty pretty little "Golden Eagle" Sorority girls came in and started squealing. <br /> <br />Hell . . . at that point I realized I'd been drinking beer with Brett Favre. <br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-79247172376756641292020-07-30T16:22:17.384-05:002020-07-30T16:22:17.384-05:00Robert St. John is one of our greatest Mississippi...Robert St. John is one of our greatest Mississippi ambassadors ! <br /> <br />He is the ultimate example of what's great about our nation. <br /> <br />Many readers probably don't realize Robert had to go into a drug/alcohol rehab center before he became successful. To this day . . . Robert St. John has repeatedly said if any alcoholic or drug addict needs to talk . . . he is there for them 24/7.<br /> <br />He's even has published his personal phone number if any addict needs to talk. <br /><br />Robert St. John is a credit to his family name.<br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-9076559093063921712020-07-30T13:39:26.571-05:002020-07-30T13:39:26.571-05:00I ate at the Purple Parrot and the Crescent City G...I ate at the Purple Parrot and the Crescent City Grill and the Mahogany Bar often. Loved them. I think Mr St. John got to many thinks going on and neglected these restaurants. The quality over the last two years has deteriorated and some of the best things they had were removed from the menu. I hate to see the PP go , but if the quality drops and the prices too high people will find another place. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-20064930644599475692020-07-30T13:04:32.225-05:002020-07-30T13:04:32.225-05:00Robert seems like a decent guy who wanted to be su...Robert seems like a decent guy who wanted to be successful and was willing to work hard to achieve it. That part isn't all that uncommon. What is uncommon is that he also seems to not only be willing to share his with others who will work for the successes they seek, he seems to really enjoy seeing others achieve the successes for which they are willing to work. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-67760850299070936922020-07-30T12:36:07.700-05:002020-07-30T12:36:07.700-05:00farewell my ass. chances are, you have never met ...farewell my ass. chances are, you have never met him, and his other ventures are doing quite well. you do probably have 3 readers (other than BF which would make 4) that went to usm, so i do get the headline Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-86250846198312984482020-07-30T12:21:41.098-05:002020-07-30T12:21:41.098-05:00A wonderful Mississippi success story!A wonderful Mississippi success story!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-80913913434097556552020-07-30T12:07:56.835-05:002020-07-30T12:07:56.835-05:00There is a storm chaser video from several years b...There is a storm chaser video from several years back when the tornado hit Hattiesburg, in which the guys in the car, when driving past all the chain restaurants on 98 west, commented that just about every chain had a location there. That is pretty close to true. Several since then have closed, with vacant buildings sitting on prime 98 west real estate, and who knows how many more may be heading in that direction, thanks largely to the pandemic. <br /><br />When Robert opened Purple Parrot there were no dining options west of the 98 west/I-59 intersection. The Parrot's location WAS "west Hattiesburg" in the 1980s. The explosion of commercial and residential growth in Lamar County has moved "west Hattiesburg" almost to Bellevue, with restaurant options there that surely pulled business away from the Purple Parrot. (If the City of Hattiesburg gets its way, it eventually will annex all of the 98 west commercial corridor to Bellevue.) <br /><br />I appreciate and respect Robert's candor about mistakes (I think he made a mistake closing his "589 Family Fish House" that was located in the perfect "fish house" building between Bellevue and Sumrall; my family loved it). We all make mistakes, yet too many fail to take ownership, or try to place the blame on others. I often wondered if the (few) times my dining experience at one of his restaurants missed the mark was due to him being busy with other brand enterprises and not as involved in the restaurant operations.<br /><br />Robert chased a dream and became very successful, probably beyond his wildest expectations. This pivot is certainly understandable and personally, I hope his plans for that space is a Mexican concept. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-83207302322450842292020-07-30T11:48:30.510-05:002020-07-30T11:48:30.510-05:00Article in the Clarion Ledger says the new concept...Article in the Clarion Ledger says the new concept has a lot of outdoor seating. Doesn't sound like a steakhouse. Besides, you've got Outback, Longhorn, and Kobe nearby and that's a lot of competition.<br /><br />I'm thinking higher-end casual dining similar to the Cheesecake Factory.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-48746102918004808792020-07-30T11:21:04.465-05:002020-07-30T11:21:04.465-05:00He has been evolving since the day he opened his f...He has been evolving since the day he opened his first place. He will continue to do well I suspect, at least as well as any restauranteur can do in this new world. I love Tabella and also the new breakfast place called Midtowner. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-52289191179908899012020-07-30T10:19:55.463-05:002020-07-30T10:19:55.463-05:00Very nice article.
Rumor around Hattiesburg is ...Very nice article. <br /><br />Rumor around Hattiesburg is that the replacement to the Purple Parrot might be a Mexican restaurant or a steakhouse. Whatever it is, St. John will make it unique. <br /><br />Over the years, I've eaten at the Purple Parrot, but the food and service seemed to decline over the past couple of years. Some believe that he got too spread out with other ventures, like many restaurant owners do. <br /><br />Best wishes to Mr. St. John! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-48183760919379178722020-07-30T08:47:34.905-05:002020-07-30T08:47:34.905-05:00Sounds like he will be opening a new restaurant in...Sounds like he will be opening a new restaurant in the space. <br /><br />I hope they are full steam ahead in Fondren, but it's probably hard to open a bowling alley, bar, restaurant and movie theatre during a pandemicAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-32219370179212509872020-07-30T08:45:59.992-05:002020-07-30T08:45:59.992-05:00Loved the Purple Parrot and ate there almost every...Loved the Purple Parrot and ate there almost every time my wife and I went to Hattiesburg. It was without a doubt one of the best dining experiences in the entire state. Really sad to see it close, but I will be interested to see what concept Robert has planned for its replacement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-15141641767209796782020-07-30T08:39:44.023-05:002020-07-30T08:39:44.023-05:00The definition of a humble mic dropThe definition of a humble mic dropAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-7342130171933124062020-07-30T08:33:33.921-05:002020-07-30T08:33:33.921-05:00I wish I had had a chance to eat at the Purple Par...I wish I had had a chance to eat at the Purple Parrot before it closed. I love Tabela’s and Ed’s. I hope plans are still on track for Ed’s to come to Jackson. Thank you, Mr St John!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-50134861836552591122020-07-30T08:27:57.461-05:002020-07-30T08:27:57.461-05:00Saw this announcement, with much less detail, on o...Saw this announcement, with much less detail, on one of RSJ's FB posts last week and thought that was an odd way to go about it. Never saw it mentioned elsewhere, though I didn't check the Purple Parrot website, until this weekly column came out yesterday. Regardless, done with great class both times as one would expect. I can only wish him the best with the CCG expansion and new venue.Louis LeFleurnoreply@blogger.com