TDY Gouge - Mississippi

Biloxi, MS - The place to stay is the Beau Rivage. Casino Magic is a HORRIBLE second choice!!!!! If the Beau Rivage is full try the Grand Casino(MGM), there is one in both Biloxi and Gulfport. I recommend Biloxi first even if you land in Gulfport. Boomtown is only a Casino and considered the "LOCALS" casino. The Emerald Palace is new and very, very nice although a bit isolated. The Palace Casino is another smaller casino BUT they just added a good size resort and from what I hear they are VERY nice. Across from the Palace Casino is the dumpiest looking cafe' you have ever seen called The Ole' Biloxi Scooner with the absolute B-E-S-T PoBoys and Seafood Gumbo you can get in Southern Mississippi!!!!! Dining---Ocean Springs is across the bridge at the end of Casino Row and the location of probably the top 3 restaurants on the coast. Aunt Jennies-fried catfish and shrimp, old antebellium home converted with great food. Jermaines- Small but outstanding food, a little dressy. Josalins- again small but great food, little dressy. THE BEST PLACE TO EAT ON THE COAST IS CHAPPY'S IN PASS CHRISTIAN. ~Boomtown Casino is for the locals but the All You Can Eat Buffet is buy on the Coast. Beau Rivage is the second best Buffet and a bit pricier.

Biloxi, MS (Sept 2009) - Dining: The Ole Biloxi Schooner mentioned above may have been good before Katrina, but it is awful now: do not eat there! Cafe New Orleans has great cajun food and huge portions for a good price. Beijing Super Buffet in D'Iberville is decent if you like Chinese buffet. There's a little Korean place just outside the west gate off of Pass road that's pretty good...it's small and you might wait a bit if you go there for lunch.

Gulfport, MS - Islandview Casino and Resort, just redone after Katrina, awesome rooms with great amenities (great beds/flat panel tv's) . Gov't rate with short notice, and concierge (rene) service arranged for free shuttle service to and from airport which is 5 miles away after hours. Incredible service.

Meridian, MS - Microtel Inns(601-553-8100) was real nice. Great location in the NE of Meridian. Right next to the mall and lots of places to eat. La Fiesta Brava has $1 draughts between 4-7 p.m. It is on the back side of the mall. Not any night life or places to watch football games except for Applebees or OCharlies.

Pascagoula, MS - La Font Inn was aDump! Do not let your travel clerk book you at this place. Although the rooms were clean and adequate, some of our crewmembers had to call the front desk to get soap and the proximity to the railroad crossing is UNSAT. The trains run regularly at 0130, 0330, and 0530 and blast their horns as they pass. I highly recommend the Beau Rivage all-you-can-eat seafood buffet @ $14.95. It is well worth the 45 minute drive to Biloxi and whatever wait in line. Crab legs, shrimp, roast beef, etc. as well as cajun/creole style foods in an elegant setting. I'll definitely try to get billeting there on my next trip.