South Mississippi Living

From fresh tropical juices to Colombia’s beloved Bandeja Paisa, Los Kioskos delivers a dining experience rooted in culture, tradition, and authentic flavor. As a family-owned, second-generation restaurant, Los Kioskos proudly carries forward recipes and traditions passed down through generations. The restaurant’s commitment to preserving Colombian heritage is evident not only in its recipes but also in the welcoming atmosphere that greets guests upon arrival.

In the heart of Ocean Springs, Salt & Sand BBQ Company is more than a destination for great barbecue—it’s a story served warm, one plate at a time. The brisket arrives with a bark so perfectly set it could win arguments, the pulled pork falls apart at a glance, and somewhere behind it all is a family who bet everything on the belief that food made with love tastes different. They were right.

Nearly 40 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Francis Scott Key penned the most sacred description of the United States of America—land of the free and home of the brave. These words are recognized in every land around the world as the definition of what it means to be an American. Two hundred and fifty years later we celebrate this great nation, our freedoms, and the fundamental commitment to bravely defend her ideals.

The Gulf Coast has never really been just one thing. It’s not entirely Southern. Not fully beach town. Not purely seafood village, military community, or tourist destination. It’s all of those things at once—layered together over generations like a family recipe nobody can quite duplicate anywhere else. And that may be the Coast’s greatest strength. Long before casino lights reflected across the water and sightseer traffic filled Beach Boulevard, the Coast was already becoming a cultural crossroads.

The shift started like any other. School zones. Traffic stops—complaints about noise, parking, and suspicious activity. Then the 911 call came in about a 3-day-old baby who had stopped breathing. Ocean Springs Police Department Lead Dispatcher Chasity McLendon immediately began coordinating the response—police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel racing toward the scene. At the same time, she worked the call from behind a headset. “The baby had turned blue,” McLendon said.

As fireworks light up the Mississippi Gulf Coast this July and Americans gather to celebrate Independence Day, it is fitting that we pause to honor the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting the freedoms we enjoy every day. For many Veterans, service to our nation did not end when they hung up the uniform. The physical and emotional sacrifices made in defense of our country often continue long after military service has ended.

After nearly four decades in law enforcement, newly retired Pascagoula Police Lt. Darren Versiga admits there is one thing he may never fully walk away from—the cold cases. “The day I die is the day I’ll stop looking into cold cases,” Versiga said. For most of his career, Versiga carried the kind of work many people spend their lives trying not to think about—murders, drugs, forgotten cases, and unidentified remains tied to some of the Gulf Coast’s darkest moments.

For many, one of the best ways to spend the Sunday in June known as Father’s Day is out on the links playing a round of golf with Dad. Of course, it doesn’t have to be Father’s Day and it doesn’t have to be with your dad for a visit to Windance Country Club in Gulfport. In fact, there doesn’t even have to be a round of golf to enjoy a meal at the club’s restaurant, The View at 19, where no membership is needed to enjoy breakfast or lunch daily and dinner on Friday and Saturday nights.

Dorothy Roberts of Pass Christian is a multi-talented lady. After retiring as a social worker with the state, she’s had more time for music and making jewelry. But that’s not all. She opened Robin’s Nest in the Pass and Roberts Place Café. “I have always enjoyed making things. After a divorce in 2004, I began making jewelry,” she says. “With sisters in the media, my work was noticed and I created a small business called, Just For You Jewelry.

When you’ve got a busy day of fun ahead, whether it’s in the woods or out on the water, the last thing you want to worry about is cooking and packing all the food you’ll need. I have two words for you: gas stations. Problem solved. Many gas stations across the Coast offer up some savory cuisine, ready to throw in the cooler to keep until you’re ready to eat. And most of them are open super early, so you can get a jump-start on your day.