Friday, August 31, 2007
Pleasant's
Michael Pleasant opened Pleasant’s Tire Service with his father on Government Street in the early 1980s. After developing a reputation of dependability, Michael turned to his mother, Marie, and opened Pleasant’s Open Pit Bar-B-Q next door. This family owned and operated restaurant soon developed a reputation, too, that of having some of the best eating around! In addition to excellent ribs and barbecue plates, Pleasant’s also offers tasty desserts, including both sweet potato pie and pecan pie. Still, the hallmark of the restaurant is the barbecue, and to curious patrons, Michael simply says, “The secret is in the sauce!” Pleasant’s has been fixing cars and filling tummies for a quarter-century now!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Al Fresco's Italian Bistro
Salvetti Brothers was one of the most popular restaurants ever in downtown Ocean Springs, featuring authentic Italian cuisine. Diners weren’t happy when Salvetti’s moved out of its Washington Avenue location, but the craving for all things Italian was soon replaced by the arrival of Al Fresco’s Italian Bistro in October, 2002. Waiter,
Dustin Bussard, prepares for the lunch crowd in the Tuscan / New Orleans courtyard that features live weekend music and an impressive Fountain of Flames, all of which combine to provide an unforgettable visit to Italy in the heart of Ocean Springs.
Unique Imports
Unique Imports serves as a descriptive name for Ocean Springs, but it is also a popular business on the eastside of town. Unique Imports has been in this location for a decade, though Jenny Rice became the brand new owner in 2007. As the name implies, the business features a wide variety of interesting products, but its most popular products have been its fountains and outdoor pottery. Employee,
John Vandawalker, works on one of the hundreds of fountains in the courtyard.
Mohler's Fill 'Er Up
There has been a service station on the corner of Washington and Porter since the 1920s, but most Ocean Springs citizens equate the location with the name, Mohler’s, who took over the corner station in 1981. Mohler’s Fill ‘Er Up featured reportedly the best hamburger in town, affectionately called “The Big M,” until ownership changed hands in the summer of 2007. Deedra Baldwin, the new owner, began advertising the new Corner Café and Bakery in an attempt to carry on the tradition of providing tasty food on this historic corner. But Mohler’s, the only full-service station in the downtown area, continues to offer friendly smiles as demonstrated by employees,
Dave Ward and Liz Kouns.
Inner Harbor Park
Inner Harbor Park is a beautiful secret hidden away on Kensington Avenue. There is an impressive new boardwalk (enjoyed by
the Peterson family in the picture), where one can feed the fish, watch the waterfowl traverse the sky, and spot the occasional alligator. There is a spacious pavilion with picnic tables for get-togethers of all sizes. There are two well-maintained tennis courts with a picturesque view. There is a playground with modern equipment for children. But most importantly, there is “inner harbor,” the park’s namesake, offering boat slips that, when filled, produce a gorgeous park setting.
Fishing From the Pier
Under the Fort Bayou Bridge, just past the folks eating oysters at Mikey’s On The Bayou and the anglers loading up at Who Zat Live Bait shop, you’ll find one of the most popular fishing piers in town. Ocean Springs is near heaven for fishermen (and fisherwomen) that enjoy fishing off the pier, with redfish, mullet, and flounder serving as some of the most popular attractions. On this hot and steamy August morning,
Melvin Smith casts his line in hopes of landing a big one.
Michael Pleasant opened Pleasant’s Tire Service with his father on Government Street in the early 1980s. After developing a reputation of dependability, Michael turned to his mother, Marie, and opened Pleasant’s Open Pit Bar-B-Q next door. This family owned and operated restaurant soon developed a reputation, too, that of having some of the best eating around! In addition to excellent ribs and barbecue plates, Pleasant’s also offers tasty desserts, including both sweet potato pie and pecan pie. Still, the hallmark of the restaurant is the barbecue, and to curious patrons, Michael simply says, “The secret is in the sauce!” Pleasant’s has been fixing cars and filling tummies for a quarter-century now!
Salvetti Brothers was one of the most popular restaurants ever in downtown Ocean Springs, featuring authentic Italian cuisine. Diners weren’t happy when Salvetti’s moved out of its Washington Avenue location, but the craving for all things Italian was soon replaced by the arrival of Al Fresco’s Italian Bistro in October, 2002. Waiter, Dustin Bussard, prepares for the lunch crowd in the Tuscan / New Orleans courtyard that features live weekend music and an impressive Fountain of Flames, all of which combine to provide an unforgettable visit to Italy in the heart of Ocean Springs. 
Unique Imports serves as a descriptive name for Ocean Springs, but it is also a popular business on the eastside of town. Unique Imports has been in this location for a decade, though Jenny Rice became the brand new owner in 2007. As the name implies, the business features a wide variety of interesting products, but its most popular products have been its fountains and outdoor pottery. Employee, John Vandawalker, works on one of the hundreds of fountains in the courtyard.
There has been a service station on the corner of Washington and Porter since the 1920s, but most Ocean Springs citizens equate the location with the name, Mohler’s, who took over the corner station in 1981. Mohler’s Fill ‘Er Up featured reportedly the best hamburger in town, affectionately called “The Big M,” until ownership changed hands in the summer of 2007. Deedra Baldwin, the new owner, began advertising the new Corner Café and Bakery in an attempt to carry on the tradition of providing tasty food on this historic corner. But Mohler’s, the only full-service station in the downtown area, continues to offer friendly smiles as demonstrated by employees, Dave Ward and Liz Kouns.
Inner Harbor Park is a beautiful secret hidden away on Kensington Avenue. There is an impressive new boardwalk (enjoyed by the Peterson family in the picture), where one can feed the fish, watch the waterfowl traverse the sky, and spot the occasional alligator. There is a spacious pavilion with picnic tables for get-togethers of all sizes. There are two well-maintained tennis courts with a picturesque view. There is a playground with modern equipment for children. But most importantly, there is “inner harbor,” the park’s namesake, offering boat slips that, when filled, produce a gorgeous park setting.
Under the Fort Bayou Bridge, just past the folks eating oysters at Mikey’s On The Bayou and the anglers loading up at Who Zat Live Bait shop, you’ll find one of the most popular fishing piers in town. Ocean Springs is near heaven for fishermen (and fisherwomen) that enjoy fishing off the pier, with redfish, mullet, and flounder serving as some of the most popular attractions. On this hot and steamy August morning, Melvin Smith casts his line in hopes of landing a big one.