A Foodie's Guide to Cleveland, MS: Delta Tamales and Beyond
There's something about the Mississippi Delta that stays with you long after you've left—a rhythm, a feeling, a taste. While planning your Delta journey, don't overlook Cleveland, Mississippi. This unassuming town isn't trying to outshine Greenville's Doe's Eat Place or Greenwood's Giardina's—it's simply offering its own distinct flavor, served with a side of Delta soul.
Authentic Delta Tamales in Rosedale
Just a short drive west to Rosedale on the Mississippi River, the White Front Café beckons with what might be the perfect Delta tamale. These aren't your standard Tex-Mex variety—Delta tamales are:
Slimmer and spicier than their Mexican counterparts
Wrapped in corn husks and simmered in a traditional broth
Rich with generations of culinary history
There's even a Mississippi Blues Trail Marker out front that describes the significance of the tamale in blues culture. The detour takes minutes; the memory lasts years.
Award-Winning Pizza in Cleveland
Back in Cleveland proper, Lena Pizza has taken the world by storm—recently named by the New York Times as one of the top pizzas in America. Their wood-fired oven produces crusts with that magical balance: crisp exterior giving way to a tender chew. The toppings often feature local inspirations, creating pies that could only exist in this particular bend of the Mississippi.
Must-Try Seafood and Soul Food
Backdraft's redfish deserves special mention—whether grilled over open flame or perfectly fried, it carries a smoky richness that lingers in your memory long after the plate is clean.
Meanwhile, back in Rosedale, Blue Levee serves soul food plate lunches that feel like a direct connection to Delta tradition:
Perfectly fried chicken with crispy, golden skin
Slow-simmered collard greens
Homemade cornbread that offers comfort beyond mere sustenance
Fine Dining and Local Institutions
For those seeking a more elevated evening experience, Cleveland's Bellezars prepares steaks with reverence. Each cut arrives precisely as ordered, the kind of meal that serves as a perfect punctuation mark to a day of Delta exploration.
Airport Grocery stands as a local institution offering:
Traditional Delta tamales
Crispy fried crawfish
Hearty hamburger steaks
Their unique Cincinnati chili—a cinnamon-tinged creation with a cultish following
Perhaps equally impressive is their collection of vintage advertisements adorning every available surface—decades, if not a century-old metal placards that transform a meal into a museum visit.
Beyond Cleveland: Merigold's Culinary Gems
Just north in Merigold, Crawdad's cultivates an atmosphere all its own:
Seasonal boiled crawfish by the pound
Year-round fried or sauced crawfish options
Impressively tender steaks in a Mississippi hunting lodge setting
Occasional sushi offerings that blend Japanese tradition with Delta flair
Just down from Crawdad's is Hey Joe's 2 (the sister restaurant of Hey Joe's in Cleveland), offering a cozy, funky place to relax with craft beers and gourmet burgers.
Experience the Greenstrip
After dinner, stroll Cleveland's Greenstrip downtown, where oak trees create a natural canopy over benches and brick walkways. It's the Delta's front porch—perfect for digesting both food and conversation.
Plan Your Cleveland Food Tour
From humble tamale shacks to white-tablecloth dining rooms, Cleveland anchors a food trail rich with history, flavor, and authenticity. Add it to your Mississippi Delta road trip itinerary—not as a mere pit stop, but as a culinary destination where each meal offers something genuine.
Visit Cleveland, Mississippi for a fuller understanding of what makes Delta cuisine special—and quite possibly, begin planning your return visit before you've even left town.