City Grocery
152 Courthouse Sq, Oxford, MS, 38655
City Grocery Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Oxford for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Oxford for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Oxford for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
152 Courthouse Sq
Oxford, MS, 38655 - Phone (662) 232-8080
- Website https://www.citygroceryonline.com/restaurant.php?city
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Kimberly S.
I sooooooooooooooooo wanted to adore this place. I love New Orleanian cuisine, was excited about the menu in Oxford, MS, and made the trip down from Memphis last week. The pros: Their shrimp and bread salad with fresh herbs was delicious. The presentation was beautiful and the flavors were unexpected, fresh and bright. The Hendrick's martini was spot on. Dry, cold, and the lemon twist accented the gin to perfection. The duck confit and beluga lentils were good. I wanted them to be amazing, they were good. The shrimp and grits? Spicy cheesy grits? Spicy shrimp and grits? I love trying new things, but some things are sacred, and savory, yet creamy and comforting shrimp and grits should never be given a spice that makes them hard to eat. Granted, it did say spicy on the menu, but I'll stick to Charleston's Hominy Grill in the future. The space is cute but boy when it fills up, it fills up. And it makes it hard to maneuver ones way out of the restaurant when seated in the way back.
(3)Mark C.
I eat here every time 'm within 300 miles of Oxford. I adjust flight times around eating here. One of the top 5 meals I've ever had was at this restaurant. Service, food, and ambiance are impeccable.
(5)Paige H.
We really wanted to like this place. We were here for a Family Weekend with our daughter's sorority and wanted a nice evening out. The wine list wasn't accurate on vintage and the waitress was ill informed and made some pretty lame excuses. We had to repeatedly ask for water and the food was pretty average...nothing special really. The desserts were not explained (deconstructed red velvet cake?????) and the both restrooms needed some serious attention. The place was super loud (we couldn't even hear the specials) and we were packed in like sardines. Not what we expected at all.
(2)Kevin C.
We came for lunch. The shrimp and grits were phenomenal. The waitress was very attentive. Great experience.
(5)Milton S.
I've dined for many years in my home State of Mississippi in restaurants from the Northern hills to the Delta to Meridian and Jackson and the Gulf Coast. Mississippi is a big state with a lot of different food cultures and opportunities for good eating. In my experience, this is without a doubt one of the finest restaurants in the State of Mississippi. Try to go during a non-hectic time, certainly not on football weekends in Oxford, you deserve to try this restaurant at its very best. I'm normally not a fan of pricey restaurants that add ingredients just to see how complicated the recipe can become but everything on every dish was a delight to the taste buds and contributed to a sensational dining experience. This is a restaurant with dishes that deliver on their promises. We started with the Fried Grilled Okra. A simple concept that is a standard Southern grandmother's staple, this dish kicks it up to world class. Perfectly dry, crispy whole baby okra with a little mustard seed/eggplant chutney to offset the wonderful earthy taste that is unique to okra. A wonderful appetizer and way to start a meal. This is the place that put shrimp and cheese grits on the map, and I was glad to taste the best of the best. Perfectly seasoned and executed in every way. Very seldom try desserts which often come up short but with all the YELP compliments and comments on the desserts, I couldn't leave without tasting- we ended up trying two. The strawberry consomme, a most unusual sounding combination- Almond mousse, lemon crumble, cucumber, basil, and gin sorbet. It was sweet, light and despite the unusual combination, was a wonderful dessert. The warm Pineapple Upside Down Cake is utterly delicious. The blueberry ice cream and walnut granola add a delightful crunch and a fresh, less sweet, cold, fruity member to the party. The White Chocolate and honey ganache sliding in on the side is just pure decadence.
(5)Sean O.
The interior is overall nice, but the paper table covers and floral pattern bench backs were a bit tacky. The presentation of the salad and entree was decorative, original and very nicely done. The quality of the food and service were good. Were they $74 for a two person lunch good?? Certainly not. Overall, I was disappointed by City Grocery. It has such high reviews but charges a 5 star price for MAYBE 4 star quality food, with a 3.5 star interior.
(3)Scott V.
I was in Oxford on a visit for the first time and I couldn't get enough of this place. I tried the steak salad and I enjoyed it as it was presented in it's own unique way. Outside of the food, this is my #1 hangout to have a beer and socialize. Indoors on the 2nd floor, I have nothing but positives to say about the bartenders and the clientel this business brings in. On the balcony on the 2nd floor, nothing beats the best seat and views of the Square in the evenings any day of the week.
(5)C.c. M.
Quaint restaurant with a long history. Menu was Sunday brunch. Ordered fried oyster arugula Caesar salad that was excellent.
(4)Brandi N.
I showed up for the pastry chef Dwayne Ingraham! I'd watched the judges on TV marvel over his desserts and I knew one day I'd go out of my way to get some! I showed up having read the menu online and wanting the red velvet cake. They no longer have that. Instead, the bartender Logan brought up Dwayne before I did and began to explain that the new dessert menu now includes the pineapple upside down cake Dwayne made and won with on Spring Baking Championship. I was sold! It came out warm with blueberry ice cream, walnut granola, and white chocolate honey ganache. Sure the add-ons were good but that cake was one of the best desserts I've ever tasted. It melted in my mouth. It's sinfully sweet which is why you have those semisweet add-ons but I actually wanted no interruptions to the sweetness. That cake stands alone! It costs $9 and, according to Logan, it's been known to start fights. Don't share it! I went with two cousins with whom I refused to share my cake. Logan served us each warm cornbread though. It was interesting. Apparently, it's their table bread. I wouldn't want more than one piece but I did enjoy the heat the cayenne pepper added. To wash it down, Logan made what I call the Logan Shuffle. He muddled mint leaves, strawberries, and lime and made a wonderful non alcoholic drink that was delicious and refreshing. Add that to the menu!
(5)Ashley D.
I've been here three times so far and each time has been great! I love that the servers are very knowledgeable about the specials and can answer any and all questions about the menu items. This last time I went for lunch and had the steak salad. I ordered it medium, and it came out perfectly! I would definitely order that salad again and I would recommend it. The complimentary bread is cute and tasty too!
(5)Shuff M.
Best place in N MS if not further. Shrimp/grits is a staple but the specials are.. Well... Special. Had pig ear app - can say I had it but once is enough. The tuna is incredible. Very hard for me to get anything else. Besides I need a nap after S&Grits.. It's heavy
(5)Matt C.
My GF and I spent a weekend in Oxford. We made a reservation about a week out to come here... Got there, everything was fine, place is very nice inside, has a pretty cool bar toward the back. The food was very tasty. I had the Hanger Steak and my GF had the redfish I think?.. it was the fish special for the evening. We had very good service but our girl was super-busy so it took her a little longer. Great location right on the square, all that so you can go check out a bar afterwards, walk around etc... My doors weren't blown off, but I did enjoy it.
(4)Blair T.
I'm hesitant to even give this restaurant 1 star. The food was cold. The wait staff was nice enough to reheat it for me. My food came back out cold so I sent it back again.. Finally it came out warm but I ended up getting violently ill that evening. Needless to say Chef Eric will not be getting my business again.
(1)Mark B.
This is a very nice, high end restaurant. The high prices are similar to those from a big city, and being from Chicago and New Orleans I am accustomed to getting a certain product/experience for that type of cost. This was very similar to that type of experience. I've been here a handful of times over the past 15 years and have always had a great experience. I was there with a party of 10 this time and the service was fine compared to being there with smaller numbers. The biscuits/cornbread they bring out before the meal were very nice and a great change from the usual bread and butter most places serve. I had the a shrimp appetizer that was fine, but very plain flavor-wise compared to how the menu sold it to me. Other appetizers at the table were deemed delicious by all. I had the lamb for my main course and it was absolutely delicious. Prepared perfectly. There were several different meals at our table that everybody said were very good. I tried some of the smoked duck next to me and it was too smoky for me (but I guess that's why I rarely order smoked food) but my friend loved it. We did not stay for dessert but the menu looked like there were some nice options. All in all this is a great dining experience.
(5)Craig W.
I have read many reviews for this place. I was very skeptical going into dinner. After making reservations, we were able to skip the lines. WOW. I was blown away. Our server was knowledgeable and polite. We started with the soft shelled crab appetizer and the fried oysters. Both were done perfectly. The gravy on the fried oysters set them off. They have an impressive wine list and a hefty offering of good beers. Being the beer snob, I made sure to get the best I could. For my entree I ordered the Shrimp and Grits, since it was hailed as their most famous dish. It did not disappoint. Kudos to this place, and I am sad I waited 31 years to give it a try.
(5)RaeLynne S.
It's my fault. I was so hyped up about City Grocery... and Snackbar had blown us out of the water, so my expectations were high. It was also Valentine's Day. I should have known not to eat out on Valentine's Day! Amateur move - but it was a three day weekend and we were eating our way through Oxford and it was our only night to eat there. It was busy. It was very, very loud. Our waitress was very good, but she was in the weeds. I think had it not been Valentine's Day she would have been a really excellent waitress. They were out of all the local beers. This doesn't sound like a big deal - but it was to us. My Old Fashioned wasn't good. It wasn't anywhere close to Alex's over at Snackbar. Dag! The food was quite good, it just wasn't lights out. I would give City Grocery another try - not on Valentine's Day (my fault). However, honestly, if I had more nights to spend in Oxford - you'd probably find me in Snackbar...
(4)Wendy C.
Wow what can I say !! Great everything I would eat here all the time if I lived here.. Have to check it out .. Can't wait to come again.
(5)Stephen S.
My wife and I enjoyed four delightful courses over a two plus hour Friday evening. The service was impeccable - we will surely return. The highlights were the winter vegetable starter, the city salad with citrus dressing, the fabulously famous shrimp and grits, and the vanilla creme brûlée. We sat at 6:30 PM and it got loudly more boisterous around 8:30 PM. The only flaws to our experience were a small piece of plastic found in my shiitake mushroom salad and my wife didn't rate the entire garlic clove found in the winter veggie starter.
(4)Steve E.
I mean, it is in downtown Oxford, so setting is hard to beat. Serious old school South, incredible service, and very good food. Our entire table got shrimp and grits, so not much variance to report except that is an excellent dish. Creme brûlée to finish was pot on as well. I don't know that the food is a MUST, but the whole experience should be had.
(4)Helen H.
What a delight. Don't let the name throw you. This is a lovely restaurant with white linens and hospitable servers. Food was top notch. We had a lovely dessert of tea cake with a basil cream sauce and carrot ice cream. Sounds strange? We thought so too, but are adventurous. LOVED IT. The rare tuna atop kale and arugula was to die for. Our sweet server (can't remember her name) was awesome and we told her so. Don't miss this gem on your next trip to the Oxford Square.
(5)Hal R.
Overrated in my opinion. The food is good, but it isn't something that I crave. It's nice if you want something quiet on a weeknight. The shrimp and grits is pretty much the only must have. It is a place you have to go to if you've never been to Oxford, but not multiple times.
(3)Foodie R.
Of the 20 hours I spent in Oxford, MS, I am glad that my first 1.5 were at this restaurant eating the excellent food here. Everything else was a gradual decline because it appears that Oxford MS hasn't learned that it is not polite to stare at brown people and that Loving v. Virginia also happened in 1968. Apparently mixed race couples are as curious in this town as unicorns. Anyway, that aside, the food at city Grocery is among the best I've had anywhere. The server was down to earth and extremely nice. She was very accommodating of us and we had a simply outstanding meal of blackened catfish, fried green tomatoes, cheesy grits and baked eggs. Overall, this is a place that clearly knows food and knows how to prepare it well. I am simply baffled by the other reviews that suggest that the waitstaff is rude--if anything it was the looks of the other patrons, what my 7 year old self called "A sticky starer" that made me uncomfortable. But I get it. I'm brown. You're not. It's 2014. It's a college town that is home to a large research one university. Wait a second..... But all that aside, the food is the main attraction. And it is good. And the service was great. If I go back to Oxford, I'll certainly visit this place.
(5)Jean S.
Best Shrimp and Grits EVER!! Shrimp toast was awesome as well! Enjoyed the wine list and ever changing delicious menu!
(5)C W.
This is a first visit review on my first visit to Oxford. City Grocery has a lot going for it with its picturesque and convenient location on the square in Oxford. As suggested I did get the Shrimp & Grits and they were very, very tasty. The City Grocery salad was very fresh and the dressing was just right. The cornbread was also a hit. The bartender that night also mixed a perfect G&T (which isn't always so easy). Only downside is that it is a little pricey but definitely worth a visit.
(4)Michael H.
We had some issues with City Grocery, but still the food was really good and overall we did like it. First the issues: our waiter skipped a course. All 4 of us ordered appetizers, salads, and an entree. Our waiter somehow missed the salad course, instead bringing out the entrees after a considerable wait. He apologized profusely and the management comped the salads we eventually got about 40 minutes later. Now the good part: we enjoyed the very interesting menu and got chicken soup dumplings, which were just ok. Caesar salads were better. Shrimp and grits were tasty but well short of wonderful. Salmon was nicely done and enjoyed by two in our party. Duck breast looked good. The place was packed on Double Decker weekend, so that makes it more difficult to have everything just right. Overall, some disappointments from a place considered in the upper echelon of Oxford restaurants. Good wine list with some relatively decent values including the Biale basic black and a Gruner Veltliner.
(3)J T.
Major disappointment. My parents flew out to spend some time with us and the grandkids in Memphis. On Saturday, we went to Oxford for the day. Nice visit: spent a while at Rowan Oak immersing ourselves in Faulkner, went to the Grove and toured around the Ole Miss campus, then still had a few hours before our reservation at City Grocery. We walked around downtown and exhausted just about every shop (Square books is great). Seated at 6 PM with great anticipation given all I've read about this place. The first sour note came from the inattentiveness of our waiter, which never improved. Throughout our meal he disappeared for 15-20 minutes at a time. I don't mean he was busy with another table, I mean he was GONE - as in we and the diners at other tables were looking at each other and shrugging. At the end of the meal when we tired of waiting for our check I literally got up and wandered through the small restaurant to try and find him to no avail. But the food is of principle importance, right? Mother and father each had filet mignon. I didn't believe their complaint about lighter fluid until I tried it for myself. Hmmm, it doesn't pay to be up first I guess. I had diver scallops which were well cooked, but served on a bed of unappetizing and starchy risotto. My wife's fish was off and she left most of her food on the plate. Son had pork belly which he reports was great, which it probably was because he has a very educated palette for a teen. My daughter had the Wagyu beef which had been suvee'd for 24 hours before a quick grill. This I did try and it was a nice texture, but bland. The side dishes were uninspired and tasteless. All in all, a major let down. I'd rather we drove back to Memphis in the afternoon and enjoyed a nicer, more affordable dinner close to home.
(1)Gina B.
Wine selection: fair City salad: perfect in size and flavor Entree: shrimp and grits...delicious and unique. I've never had anything like this before. Bites of bacon with gulf shrimp on cheesy grits...wow! Service-great! Ambiance-fun with a fab decor. Lovely southern restaurant with great flavor!
(5)Trisha A.
On a trip to MIssissippi, I had lunch at City Grocery. It was hyped by friends in the know because the chef will be on Top Chef Masters this upcoming season. We took a rather large group in there (something around 20 people) at prime lunch hour and they were good about accommodating our party, though we were split into two different tables. I ordered the fried chicken cobb salad since it was a beautiful, warm March day. My heck, that salad was awesome! I would definitely order it again. It's a bit on the salty side from the bacon chunks in the salad, but if you're a salt lover like me, it's no big deal. The only downside during the experience was, unfortunately, the service. I can understand not having the capacity to handle 20 people seated at once, but one of our tables got their meals and nearly everyone was finished before we ever got our meals at the other table, which led to a long wait for the finished half. The busboy who refilled water glasses did so sloppily and ended up pouring water on people's lunch plates. Requests for extra bread were made two or three times before actually fulfilled. HOWEVER, even given the negative service points, I would gladly return to this restaurant!
(4)Coral E.
Yum Yum & Yum!. Started off with the frites as an appetizer. The duck fat aioli that was said to come with them hooked me, so I had to try them. They were delicious (even without the aioli). For my entree I had the shrimp and grits. A friend who is a huge fan of City Grocery and swears he has tried everything on the menu - told me I must order the shrimp and grits. Being a girl from the Coast, I've had many versions of shrimp and grits and this one did not disappoint. And they now offer a "half" portion - which is what a normal portion should be and it was perfect. The shrimp and grits do have some heat to them - so caution to those who aren't fans of spicy dishes. We ended the meal with the chocolate lava cake with peanut butter ice cream. Very delicious. If I could just order a pint of the peanut butter ice cream - I'd be in heaven.
(5)Bridgitt F.
Had lunch on a Saturday. Service was good. Burger was good. Onion rings were excellent. Spicy peanut salad was good. Turkey sandwich was not so good. Will have to go back and try dinner.
(3)Anna N.
Went to lunch with my friend last week and the only word I can truly say is overrated. I was not impressed I thought since this was Oxford's most well known restaurant I would be please but the food was good but nothing to brag about. However, the staff was extremely nice and the service was outstanding.
(3)B B.
I know everyone loves City Grocery, and I want to, too, but the last few meals I've had there were underwhelming. The most recent one was especially disappointing. Two weeks ago, 3 of us went for Saturday lunch. We arrived soon after opening and were seated immediately. Service was attentive until the restaurant got busy, then not so much. I had the BLT, pork belly, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. It was okay, but I was really annoyed that the tomatoes, lettuce, and onions were not evenly distributed in the sandwich - not even close! Please don't make me have to re-arrange my sandwich, especially at a white table cloth restaurant. To me it says the kitchen staff is not well-trained nor do they have any pride in their product. Another member of our party ordered the BBQ Chicken Salad. What do you think of when you read that title? The menu description said it was a barbecued chicken breast with frisee, red cabbage, julienne carrot, fried shallot, and creamy lemon vinaigrette. Sounds to me like a bed of salad greens with a barbecued chicken breast on top. Not exactly. It was a small chicken breast on one side of a small saucer and a tiny pile of salad greens that were more of a garnish than a salad. It was woefully insufficient even for a young girl who is watching her figure. The third person in our group ordered the roast beef sandwich special of the day. He is someone who never complains about his food, but he thought the sandwich was awful. He said it was mostly fat and fairly bland. We were so anxious to end this not-so-fine dining experience, that we skipped dessert.
(2)Chris M.
Food is just not very good. Shrimp and grits are ok. Grits are actually better than average, the rest not. There was some kind of water all over it. I tilted the plate and got most of it to run off the grits at least. Burger is a joke. We asked for medium and got a piece of charcoal about the size of a McDonalds burger. Good service overall this trip as in the past but the food actually was pretty average to bellow average. I lost a lot of respect for the chef and this place when the burger showed up at our table. May be a while before we try again. Went to Oxford for a little work and a little fun. Had a flat tire and was a little stressed out. Went in and had very accommodating service from the staff. I was stuck on the phone with the service company and they were very nice about moving Candice from the dining room so she could sit with me at the bar. They had a full supply of Pacifico.( I've been known to clean a place out ) I had the fried oysters that had been rolled in crushed pork rinds. Very good, some of the better fried oysters I've had although they were set over a couple sauces that were maybe a little sweet ( might ask for less next time). It's always nice to restaurant hop around the square and this is always a good stop. Make sure and make reservations on big weekends.
(2)J R.
Great location & inspired dishes make it a must every time I'm in town.
(4)Larry W.
Tried City Grocery on the recommendation of a friend. I'm not much of a food critic so take this with a grain of salt. A lot of people, including myself, will pay a premium for a unique dinning experience. So while I wouldn't usually eat the type of dishes I had read about, I was willing to try something new since I'm on vacation. Having said that, the overall experience was hardly worth the price my wife and I paid for eating at City Grocery. Our dishes were the Jerk Grilled Chicken Thigh and the Shrimp and Grits. Both dishes were good - not great. The sweet potato/caramelized onion which came with my chicken was more of a way to dress up the small portion of the main dish than serve as a filling side dish. The corn bread muffins which were served at the start of the meal were good, but I felt like they were rather stingy with them having only been served one each before our meal came. The Shrimp and Grits my wife had were good and were actually more filling than the chicken thigh. Of the two, I wished I had ordered it. The menu is seasonal, so maybe if I had come in the spring, I would have found something more to my liking than the choices offered for the fall. The seating in the restaurant was ok. Cushioned benches align the side walls with just enough room to squeeze between them to sit down. The restaurant was divided by a row of tables with seating for four, which I would have preferred. This may sound picky, but with large entrees at around $25 - $30, I was expecting a more intimate dinning experience. The employees I encountered were nice and professional. We were seated immediately. Although we had reservations, they were probably not needed since this was the Saturday night before Thanksgiving and a lot of the locals in the college town head home for the holiday. All-in-all it wasn't a horrible experience, but knowing what I know now I would have chosen one of the many other restaurants on the square for our dinner plans. I wouldn't recommend City Grocery unless someone wanted something just for the sake of it being different. However, different does not mean better. There are a lot of other choices on the square in Oxford which give you a better overall value which includes food, establishment, experience, etc.
(2)Shannon S.
I've had LOTS of great experiences with City Grocery over the years and have eaten there from the very first day it was open. John Currence, the chef and owner, is from New Orleans and learned his trade well in NOLA and was personally responsible for raising the dining bar in Oxford. I've had many enjoyable meals at both dinner and lunch at this establishment and had great times in the bar upstairs. The upstairs bar balcony is very small and is PRIME real estate to get if you can for enjoying a nice day on the square. Lunch is very affordable here and I've always thought this restaurant was a great value. I've taken many friends from New Orleans here and they have all enjoyed it. (I had a roommate while I was at Ole Miss that worked here for many years and I can tell you from that experience that when you hear LOUD yelling from the kitchen it is because somebody burned the rolls again and the chef is going all kinds of wacko on them and it is rare somebody burns the rolls more than once because of this!)
(5)Nicole B.
The best restaurant in Oxford. Every main course is exotic and delicious. Nothing tops the flat iron steak. Worth the wait!
(5)Biz M.
Came to Oxford on sort of a whim road trip. Was a little bummed to find there aren't many vegan or vegetarian-friendly places to eat. Yeah, yeah, I know it's "The South" - look, I grew up in the South! It doesn't have to mean that everything's cooked in bacon grease and butter. Annnyway, I contacted the fabulous folks at eatingoxford-dot-com, and they suggested I call ahead and request a vegan meal at one of Currance's places. I called up City Grocery and they were like "Vegan? You bet!" We started with the City Salad. Gorgeous and super super tasty. If I could buy that dressing, I'd do it, man. Then came the fun part - the surprise Vegan entree. Grilled Eggplant, Squash, and Zucchini over a cold Freekah salad, with raw cherry tomatoes surrounding and a pinch of sauteed spinach. All topped-off with a balsamic glaze and roasted red pepper coulis. EXTRAORDINARY! One of the best meals I've ever had: an off-menu vegan masterpiece in the Dirty South.
(5)Hungry G.
For my 50th review, I couldn't have picked a better restaurant. City Grocery is completely worthy of all the positive hype. The wide selection of dishes clearly manifests the skills of its world class chef. Our dinner was quite pricey, but it was justified by the quality. I was with a large group of colleagues. We started with Lamb Tamales and Eggplant & Feta appetizers. The tamales were good enough to be an entree and served with a very robust sauce. The eggplant was also tasty. I started with the Lyonnaise salad: assorted greens with smokey potatoes, egg, green beans, and a wonderful dressing. This was quite good with an unusual set of flavors. The Shrimp and Grits were absolutely unbelievable. Spicy, cheesy grits, smothered with mushrooms, bacon, and very fresh gulf shrimp. This is their signature dish for good reason. This was one of the best main courses I've ever had. All the ingredients were perfectly balanced and it worked so well on so many levels. We all ordered different desserts and shared. The Pears Three Ways was unique and very special. The Bread Pudding with Raisins was simple, but done perfectly. The Sweet Potato Pie was similar to pumpkin pie, but far more complex. The Chocolate Mousse was rich and thick, and came with 3 incredible little chocolates. The place was packed that night. There were a lot of famous locals there--a veritable Who's Who of the Oxford community. At times it was too loud, which made it hard to maintain a conversation. Nevertheless, our party was there almost three hours and had a thoroughly enjoyable meal.
(5)Valentina B.
The best restaurant in Oxford! This is an award winning restaurant and I wanted to try it last visit. It was totally booked so this trip I made sure to check it out. The menu has many options which are much healthier than the "all-fried" menus in the rest of the state. The service is excellent and the Aspen Ridge Flatiron steak is mouth-watering delicious. I had a question and the manager rushed over and took the greatest care of me. I suggest you call and book City Grocery before you arrive in Oxford. You will be glad you did.
(5)Lindsay B.
This is a higher end restaurant in the square. The service was fine and I can't say I loved the food. They mixed so many weird flavors together. I ordered some fish special and it was bland. I also ordered the macaroon ice cream sandwich, along with several others I was dining with, and no one liked it. Overall the experience was just so-so and I didn't really think the food was worth the price paid.
(2)Laura H.
All things considered, this was a five star experience. Five stars for the picture perfect location on the square in Oxford. This was my first visit to Oxford and I am in love! From the outside the property is very charming with an upstairs balcony, hanging ferns and a few tables perfect for people watching in the square. Some time when it is not summer in Mississippi I would like to go back and snag one of those tables! I loved the atmosphere inside as well. Despite the chairs, which are not comfortable, comfort is the general feeling inside. Kind of cozy and special without being fussy. Five stars for the service. We were greeted with a smile and told our table was being set, right on time for our reservation. Our server and all the other staff that stopped by to take care of us were really excellent. Five stars for the food. We had a blue crab tostada that was amazing. We got the shrimp and grits and the redfish for our entrees. Both were excellent, but I am with the other reviewers - the shrimp and grits are ridiculously delicious and I will be ordering that for myself next time instead of settling for a teasing bite of my husband's. I highly recommend a day trip to Oxford and a meal at City Grocery. Both are off the charts in the southern charm department and I can't wait to go back and explore some more of the area.
(5)Amanda K.
The only thing I've ever ordered here is the burger on the lunch menu. It is hands down the best burger I've had. EVER. I spend the majority of my days traveling for work so I've eaten in some pretty great cities, however, I dream of the burger from City Grocery. I've never had anything come close to being as good as it is here.
(5)Jen R.
It's late, I'm tired and you know what? No matter how good and thorough my review is, it will never make ROTD since I don't live in the area. And, possibly more importantly, it won't change the world. So, cutting to the chase: Scallops were not entirely fresh - texture and flavor were underwhelming Stuffed quail - this was the special. also not terribly impressive But the corn bread muffins were great (peppery finish) and the gnocchi appetizer was excellent. Seriously, the best gnocchi I've ever had. The space is inviting and the service was the right amount of attentive. I'll try again next time I'm in town. Maybe we just picked the wrong entrees.
(3)Kathleen B.
My husband and I had dinner here earlier this week. Great ambiance - soft lighting, white tablecloths and exposed brick walls. We both had great meals - I had the cobia and my husband had the catfish - well prepared, reasonable (ie not huge) portions, with innovative sides. Nice wine list. I'd definitely recommend City Grocery for a special dinner out.
(4)Lindsey F.
Wonderful atmosphere and even better food. I had the frites as an appetizer, the triple tail special as my entree and the chocolate lava cake with peanut butter ice cream as my dessert. Do I have to say anything else? So good... I will definitely come back when I'm in Oxford.
(5)Elizabeth L.
The above 4 stars is an average of the Five Stars for service and three for food quality. First let me say that a large group (16 of us) showed up with no reservation. The staff was very accommodating, especially since we each needed separate cheques (government reimbursement rules). Our nice young waiter was all smiles and very helpful. If I could give him and other staff members more than 5 stars, I would. The food gets three stars because of some very aggregious errors on the part of the kitchen. Several of us ordered a dish with beans, which were very sour. They tasted like they had started fermenting in the soaking liquid but were cooked anyway. These dishes were sent back to the kitchen. For dessert, several of us ordered the creme brulee. While the custard itself was well cooked and smooth, the dishes had been "bruleed" or torched hours if not a whole day ahead of time. This resulted in a sugary liquid on top of the custard, rather than a nice crunchy sugar shell. The strawberry garnish had also started to macerate in this sugary liquid and was not appealing at all. Any chef (or line cook for that matter) knows you only brulee the custard right before service. These desserts were sent back also. One final comment, at no time during our meal did anyone from the kitchen come out to appologize for the mistakes. Our poor waiter had do deal with all of it. Which he did with a smile.
(4)Reed K.
Really enjoyed my experience at City Grocery. Good service and very good food. Had to order the shrimp and grits as that's what made CG famous and wasn't disappointed. Maybe the best I've had. If you go to Oxford, and you appreciate good, Southern food, try City Grocery.
(4)Josh W.
Love this place! The only thing I get is Shrimp and Grits with a bottle of wine. Yum!
(5)Mandy S.
There's a new chef in town! Foodie friends in Oxford roll their eyes when I ask about City Grocery. They regard it as resting on its laurels of past accolades. It is the one in Oxford this Atlantan has read about. But after my Aug 2012 experience I agreed with them. I am excited to announce there is a new chef in town. Chef Jessee Huston has recently taken the reigns. Earlier this fall, he stepped down as chef at Jackson's best restaurant, Parlor Market. The foodie community in Jackson was sad and upset to say the least. I was thrilled to run into him at Big Bad Breakfast today, just before Thanksgiving. He was excited to tell me about the local, sustainable farms he has access to up here. He's working hard and looking at some fun things for the menu. I hope folks will give City Grocery a chance again under Jesse's leadership. Jesse is classically trained. He has a great pallate. He pushes the envelope with technique and assembles amazing flavor combinations. I won't get to experience his skills this trip but look forward to my next visit to town.
(4)Cary B.
Best restaurant in Oxford, hands down.
(5)Angela G.
Visited the picturesque Oxford on a late October Saturday and my leisurely lunch at City Grocery was a high point. (Avoided the crazy dinner crowd after the football game, so recommend this time as less expensive as well as no crowd). Chef and owner John Currence is from New Orleans and was on Top Chef evidently. Overall the service was very good, however there could have been a little more time between my cup of soup and my entree. Oh and before I forget, the breads offered to start were really tasty. The sweet corn-grilled baby squash soup with cumin and paprika crackers ended up being too 'peppery/spicey" for my taste, but the waitress said I was not the first person to say that about the soup that day. I was sort of prepared for it too when I saw the words cumin and paprika in the description. My entree of potato wrapped redfish was very delicious and I recommend. The thin slice of potato nicely complemented the fish (which is not strong or 'overly fishy') and I can't recall ever having anything like this before. The presentation with carrot puree, parsnip puree, sautéed baby squash and tarragon creme fraiche was very attractive and I especially loved the creme fraiche with the purees, but didn't care as much for the baby squash (i think unless its butternut squash, I don't really like squash---see soup reaction) My waitress helped me choose a nice wine to enjoy with my meal (I said it was a nice leisurely meal!), and after narrowing it down to two, she brought a taste of each, which confirmed my choice: Red Bicyclette. I was really getting full, but wanted to extend my City Grocery experience with dessert. So I went with the Blueberry Panna Cotta that came with a scoop of sorbet, the lighter of the options. So good, however the sorbet was on the fake sweet side, and did not add anything to the dish. I think the panna cotta could definitely stand alone without it. Wish I would have asked to sit on the upper balcony...if I return will definitely head up there!
(4)Scott N.
the City Grocery gets rave reviews all of the time, and i think i might be the one person in the world that doesn't dig what they're doing there. every dish has sooo many ingredients that you lose the essence of the dish itself. i've lived in Oxford for too long and would only go when friends or family from out of town visited and just HAD to go there. i don't understand the fuss, but that's just me. see for yourself, but don't expect to taste the pork tenderloin. the shrimp and grits is about the only thing i'll get there. great bar though.
(2)Carmen H.
We love City Grocery. I never eaten anything there that I did not think was good. The cornbread is delicious and my go-to dish is definitely the shrimp and grits. City Grocery has also remained consistent over the years. Many other restaurants have changed hands, removed menu staples and have waxed and waned in their ability to provide good service. I read some of the other reviews and was confused as to how food and service can be excellent and only garner 3 stars. It can get crowded, but you can't blame the other diners for being there. It is not a place to go for a quiet meal. Yes, it's also got some upper echelon diners, this means they could go anywhere for dinner and picked here.
(4)Susan W.
After hearing so many great things about City Grocery, I was excited to go there. I'm not really sure what all the fuss was about. This restaurant is a 4, but a weak 4. This may be the best restaurant in Oxford, but drop this restaurant in New Orleans and it's just average. I dined at City Grocery last night with a group of 8. It was a busy football weekend, which I'm sure is challenging for restaurants that are not consistently that high volume. There was a mistake with our reservation; it was "lost," possibly due to the fact that it was originally made for 12 people and they do not take reservations for 12. The manager was accommodating, and made a new reservation for 8 people at 8:30 (instead of 7:30). When we arrived at 8:30, we had to wait about an hour for our table upstairs at the bar. Once we were finally seated, service was good overall (the waitstaff was VERY busy, and our waitress handled our group well), but lacking finesse. For example, we received bread (jalapeno cornbread muffins, which were very good) before we ever received our menus. Also, the butter was cold and unspreadable. Additionally, there are too many rules- you can order fried oysters for your Caesar salad, but not separately. There is a $5 additional charge to share (split) an entree. Really? Luke splits a hamburger without blinking an eye, and brings you an extra mint julep cup of fries. Superior service and attention to detail make a good restaurant great, and City Grocery lacks both. The food was good, but not spectacular. For my first course, I had the pumpkin soup, which was a special. It was good, but I did not think the shrimp garnish added anything- prosciutto or bacon would have been a better choice. My soup was warm (not hot), but one of my dining companions felt her soup was cold and inedible. For my entree, I had the braised oxtail with leeks and Gruyere grit cakes. The flavor on this dish was great; I really enjoyed it. It was a great savory dish and perfect for the cold weather, except that it was served warm and not hot (so neither of my dishes were hot). Many of my dining companions ordered the shrimp and grits; City Grocery does a good version (with mushrooms, scallions, lots of bacon, served over cheese grits). One friend ordered a salad as her entree, the fried pimento cheese salad with greens and a yard egg. I tasted the fried pimento cheese- it was delicious. The entrees at this restaurant range from the mid to upper $20's, but the wines by the glass are cheap- affordable, but also grocery store quality. City Grocery definitely could improve its wine program. I enjoyed my meal at City Grocery, and might visit again (although I'd rather try Snackbar). However, I suppose when I dine at the flagship restaurant of a James Beard award winner and "Mississippi Restauranteur of the Year," I hope for more.
(4)Melissa E.
City Grocery is definitely the best restaurant in Oxford, hands down. John Currence brings his New Orleans roots to this upscale spot. I think I had their ceasar salad and shrimp and grits every time I ate there duringthe 4 years at Ole Miss. Now, I usually have whatever fish special they are featuring, the duck, or scallops. The menu is seasonal so you know you are getting fresh ingredients. Also, the bar upstairs is my favorite place in town to go for a drink. As soon as I get in town, I park on the square, head up the stairs and sit at the copper topped bar. I guess it's my second home in a way. Great drinks, great music, great people! LOVE CITY GROCERY!!
(5)Michelle T.
They brought slightly spicy cornbread muffins and some butter (I think maybe the butter had some honey in it?)--delicious. I had the City Salad (very good, fresh mixed greens perfectly dressed with a well-balanced vinaigrette), and the pan-fried trout special (quite good) with yellow and green beans (I think they were haricots verts? very good) and some unusual pea salad (ok). Also had the peach cobbler for dessert topped with Tonka ice cream. Interestingly, I just looked up tonka beans on Wikipedia, which says, "Its use in food is banned in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration." ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To… ) and "Coumarin is a chemical compound...notably in high concentration in the tonka bean....Coumarin is moderately toxic to the liver and kidneys" ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co… ). Ummm... Well, in any case, the peach cobbler was very good. One of those rare cases where sugar is used as a seasoning rather than as a main ingredient, allowing the flavors of the peach to shine. It was sprinkled with unusually finely processed oat streusel, and two small scoops of the "banned", "moderately toxic" tonka bean ice cream. The dessert was a pleasantly modest size and served freshly baked in an iron pan, with caramelized peach bits in the corners. Yum! My dining companion fell in love with his roasted boar special. A bit pricey, but good quality. Deborah F. was right about the crowded seating, which also contributes to the very noisy dining environment when the restaurant is busy. Located on the Square.
(4)Jim B.
I have visited Oxford three times in the past 12 months. City Grocery was not visited by me on previous visits since there were so many others to try. Four of us had dinner on March 20. We started out upstairs for drinks then moved downstairs. It was not crowded at 730 pm but that soon changed. Lots of people, a fair amount of noise and chatter, and the service just seemed hurried. For $200 plus for four, I would have expected much better food AND portion size. My wife's entree, scallops were tasty for the TWO of them that were served. My son-in-law's portion also was small. I found my catfish to be ample and very good. Salads were on the small size, especially for the $12 price. Overall, I was not impressed and probably won't return on my next visit. There are too many other favorites I have on the square and other locations in town. We just did not feel special. If there is an owner on the premises, he/she never came by and greeted us or asked how were enjoying our food. In fact, not sure anybody asked!
(2)Krista H.
I must first start off by saying that those who have negative comments don't know anything about dining especially Southern dining. First off, the intimate environment makes it feel more as if you were at one big dinner party. Also as for having to wait a few minutes to order drinks, one thing about the South is we dine, not rush through shoving food in our mouth, so we aren't in a big hurry. Anyone who thinks this food was "just ok" obviously has no palette. John Currence received the James Beard award this year so I think he knows what he is doing and the restaurant world agrees. That being said, City Grocery is one of my favorite places to go when I go back to visit Oxford. Many wonderful memories come from climbing the steps up to the bar above the restaurant downstairs. Many happy hours were spent watching the cars and people traversing the picturesque Oxford Square. I've even gotten jobs over drinks more than once. The restaurant downstairs has proven to me over and over why it has received awards and accolades. Shrimp-and-Grits is a staple that everyone should have once in their life. I have everything from Crab Cakes to the Steak. The service I've received has always been stellar but then again I think it's apparent when the server talks to me that I know what I'm doing. The intimate atmosphere has gained me many great conversations with people sitting close by. I don't mind the energy that comes from a room full of people enjoying each other, a great meal and good times. Oxford has many great restaurants that I salivate over with just a thought but City Grocery is by far the king. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.
(5)Deborah F.
Things I have done at City Grocery: 1. Drank a Rebel Ale upstairs at the bar, amidst vintage French posters and a basketball game 2. Ate a lovely plate of grilled salmon for lunch downstairs (not in that order). Truly, the food and service was excellent. Navigation downstairs, however, proved slightly tricky as the tables are situated extremely close together -- squeeze. Apparently the menu changes frequently, minus the shrimp and grits, which just means that I'll have to make another trip to Oxford ...
(4)Justin R.
Its OK, I make food as good at home though (granted I am a pretty good cook). Vastly over-priced for the quality, its also quite pretentious, and filled with the sons and daughters of the southern elite "riche" who send their children to Ole Miss (who invariably join the Greek life).
(3)Judith J.
Found this place nice, but was disappointed that it just was not up to par. Started out with drinks upstairs. Had a California Cab that just was not good -- either it was a poor selection or the wine had been open for too long. Service was poor. Our waiter did not have the aplomb one expects at a nice restaurant. In addition, one person in our group ordered a bottle of a good white wine. The server brought it with an ice bucket. The person who ordered it tasted it and said it was too warm to drink; however, the waiter still poured it for everyone else. The wine was too warm and did not taste good that way! Obviously, the waiter just wanted to have us "drink up" so we would order more. That is soooo not cool, Dude! The cornbread was awesome. Didn't try the spread that came with it, it was already delicious. Liked the regional menu, but did not like the heavy hand with the butter, cream, etc. "Everthang" was high-calorie and even though the menu posted outside listed salmon, there was no salmon on the menu when we were there. Some of the dishes were downright scary. C'mon now, fried pig ear SALAD??? Who the hell wants pig ears if they want a damn salad??? Needless to say, I didn't try that item. Came here with a group so I had the opportunity to try several dishes. Tasted fried pimiento cheese topped on a salad, but the salad also had a poached egg on it. That is too much cholesterol for an appetizer. Another salad was good, but nothing extraordinary. The shrimp and grits was tasty -- way too rich for an entree for me. Tried the trout -- very good, redfish -- o.k., steak was pretty thin and not a fine cut. Desserts were good. Creme brulee was good enough, chocolate pot de creme did not need a a large dry tile cookie, and the key lime lady finger had too much crust and not enough filling. This place just did not live up to its reputation unfortunately.
(3)Kai K.
Oxford is a city of "onlys" ... only one good bookstore; only one good cafe; and only one good restaurant. This is the good restaurant... and it's quite good, at that.
(4)Kyle S.
A couple of years ago I would have given this place five stars as I thought it was one of the best restaurants in the South. Since then it has very slowly gone down hill and is really just average at this point. The chef and owner, John Currance is really talented and has won numerous awards. I know that he has opened a number of other restaurants recently and I can't help but wonder if that has led to the decline in quality at his mainstay, City Grocery. The shrimp and grits are the best you'll find anywhere and the menu changes all the time so your experience here can vary greatly based on the menu. I have ordered all sorts of different dishes and recently have been underwhelmed. Another reveiwer mentioned that everything seemed luke warm on her visit which is one of my biggest pet peeves and always seems to happen when a place starts it's decline. I would still recommend checking it out ,as the bar upstairs is alway packed and a great time. Here's hoping the Grocery returns to it's former glory.
(3)Jack M.
We were a family of 6 traveling through MS for a family reunion week. We had read about City Grocery in California and were really looking forward to our meal. The meal was just okay, although my sister-in-law really liked the pork terrine appetizer, but the service was really lacking, considering the almost $300 cost. It started with all of us waiting for someone to come take our drink order (which included almost lukewarm beer, served in the bottle - we had to ask for glasses) even though the restaurant was almost empty at that point.. The food seemed like most of it was flavored with a heavy dose of cayenne pepper. We have nothing against a little kick, but it tasted like it was in everything we ordered. Finally, desert was served with no utensils, so we had to ask a busboy for spoons and forks to eat with. Judging from the crowd that was there by the time we left, City Grocery is obviously a popular place, but in our opinion, none of us would rush back to experience such lackluster service.
(3)Paul K.
I have enjoyed fine meals here in the past but the restaurant has been less busy downstairs at lunch over the past 18 months. Today's experience may explain. My friend bit into a mechanical nut which we learned later was from a slicing device that broke apart when the chef was preparing the pizza. He cleaned the pizza out thoroughly, he thought, but served it anyhow. That's a major safety violation. They did comp two diet colas but the chef never appeared at the table to apologize. Nor did the manager. That's a major service issue. Something is amiss at City Grocery.
(1)mandy f.
City Grocery offers fine dining in a small town setting. Shrimp and Grits--Yum-mee! Wander up the stairs to the bar where the bartenders will take good care of you. Oh how I miss those days of sitting on the balcony people-watching those on the Square below while sipping cocktails.
(4)