Page 40 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2025

DINING CUZ’S OLD TOWN OYSTER
Mardi Gras pasta.
ADDRESS
108 S. Beach Blvd. Bay St. Louis
CONTACT
228.467.3707
WEBSITE
www.cuzbsl.com
HOURS
Sun-Thurs, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri & Sat, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
story and photos by Anne Pitre
Nestled right in the heart of Old Town Bay St. Louis you’ll find a family-owned gem of a restaurant: Cuz’s Old Town Oyster Bar. This bustling spot is exactly what you’d imagine a classic coastal casual restaurant to be: waterfront, sunlight pouring in through large windows, a patio flanked by oak trees and funky, folksy decorations. It’s a setup that naturally lends itself to socializing, enjoying the buzz of downtown, taking in the view, and eating some great food developed from one family’s kitchen.
First of all, we went to Cuz’s on one of those amazing Coast days. It was a perfect 70 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, birds chirping – you get the idea.
The spacious patio drew us in immediately and we passed a good time enjoying cocktails and appetizers before diving into a true feast. We were greeted by
Ramie, the daughter of the owners who keeps the floor and kitchen flowing in harmony while making every customer feel at home. She insisted that we try the April daiquiri of the month - the bananas foster. Boy, were we glad we did! It was more akin to a homemade banana pudding in flavor – ripe banana, vanilla with a creamy, custardy base. It was beautifully presented in a hurricane glass and topped with a cherry.
I always try the gumbo at Coast restaurants, as each recipe is unique as a fingerprint. Cuz’s did not disappoint. Their gumbo recipe has been in their family for generations, and you can taste the love that goes into it. It has a dark, thick Cajun roux. I love a heady spice blend, and this one has it. You’ll note the garlic and filé against a backdrop of aromatic herbs. The first bite I took had a big ole lump of crabmeat in it, followed by a big Gulf shrimp. It was a gumbo that every true Coastie dreams of. We also enjoyed a platter of Cuz’s signature chargrilled oysters. They are plump, juicy and slightly briny. They’re grilled just long enough to toast the cheese and bacon crumbles. We were just polishing off our oyster platter when we heard a familiar voice from around the corner.
Cuz himself came around with a friendly “hey y’all,” and paid us a visit. He is
40 | April 2025
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