About Alcorn County, MS

"Our emotional relationship to food and drink is like some tenacious desert plant, its wiry, tough roots buried deep in our psyches." Caitlin Kelly

My emotional relationship to slugburgers and the White Trolley go back a few decades. For me it brings back memories of sitting at the counter as a boy with my dad on a sweltering summer day, not so patiently waiting for my slugbuger to arrive. It was always accompanied by a helping of french fries and an ice cold coca-cola. This was back when they dipped the buns in the hot grease for a second... and of course, before we started paying attention to our cardiologist.

Don't let the name fool you. "Slugburger" comes from the slang term for a nickel; the cost of a burger during the depression. At that time cooks started adding cornmeal, potato flour or other extenders in an effort to make every pound of ground beef count. These days hamburger is mixed with cornmeal grits and a special blend of spices, pressed very thin and deep friend. Traditionally, they're served topped with two slices of dill pickle, a smidgeon of onion and a dollop of mustard.

Today the White Trolley is showing its age; the counters are worn from decades of arms and elbows rubbing the formica. The floor is scuffed from the millions of feet that have shuffled across it. Seating is limited to a few tables and a handful of people willing to belly up to the bar. I've seen it standing room only more times than I can count and it's not unusual to have patrons lined up outside the door. Yea, it's that good.

It's a local delicacy to be sure and there's no better place to get one than the White Trolley in Corinth. They do serve other things, but really it all pales in comparison to the slug. Heck, we even have an entire festival devoted to the slugburger. Next time you're in Corinth, stop by, say hi and give it a try. You'll be glad you did.