Lester’s, A Local Haven

Coast Cuisine, March 2025

Lester’s is a great option away from downtown: Parking is easy, prices are reasonable, and you most likely will bump into someone you know. It’s truly a locals’ spot.

- Story and photos by Heather Dubuisson

Last night I had the opportunity to try Lester’s Seafood, and it did not disappoint. This little gem is quickly establishing itself as a local favorite.

Coast Cuisine
is supported by

At the recommendation of our server, we started with the onion rings. These taste bombs are hand-cut and battered in their specially seasoned batter (which they also sell), then served with what was described as a “rosy buttermilk” dipping sauce. We were told it was like Cane’s sauce with a kick. This killer sauce is a delicious accompaniment to many things on their menu, not just the onion rings. These are without a doubt the best onion rings I’ve ever had. Delicate and packed with flavor, even a small order was more than we could finish. 

While we didn’t get to order the firecracker shrimp appetizer, we did get to try the sauce. This sweet chili sauce, with a hint of spicy mustard, paired deliciously with the garlic pepperiness of the shrimp. It was delicious.

We ordered the daily special of all-you-can-eat shrimp, which was served with a fantastic jalapeño hush puppy (another favorite), fries, and a super-creamy but crunchy coleslaw. The shrimp were small but bountiful. Our server regularly checked on us to make sure we got our fill. 

I ordered the half-sized roast beef po'boy, fully dressed, with a side of Lester’s famous baked mac and cheese. The roast beef was tender, juicy, and well presented with shredded lettuce and thinly sliced tomatoes. The care and attention to detail is obvious. It’s easy to see why Lester has been a successful restauranteur for over 30 years.

Let’s talk mac and cheese. Folks, this isn’t your normal Velveeta-shells situation. This is large spaghetti noodles baked in a mild cheese blend and topped with gobs of cheddar. The cheesy crust is to die for, and the portion size was substantial. 

For dessert, we opted for the Italian lemon cream cake. It was light and bright with the tang of cream cheese and lemon, a perfectly light finish to the heavier flavors we had just enjoyed.

Talking with Mr. Lester makes it easy to see his love for this industry. He learned his love of cooking from his dad who would throw large parties for all his friends and family and leave Lester to take over when he was ready to relax. He is a community man with a kind soul, and Hancock County is embracing him with open arms. 

The staff is friendly and great at offering suggestions and answering questions about the menu. It was packed when we arrived, but the meal didn’t seem long or drawn out. Soon, Lester’s will have a full bar to accompany their delightful food options; they hope to roll out bar service sometime in March. They also offer house-made hogshead cheese by the pound daily (Mr. Lester’s pride and joy), but get there early if you want some, as they sell out quickly.

Lester’s Seafood
1248 Hwy 90, Unit C, Bay St. Louis
Tues-Wed 10:30-3:00; Thurs-Sat 10:30 – 8:00

---

Enjoy this feature?