[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 113 (Tuesday, July 9, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MR. D'S OLD COUNTRY STORE

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2024

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
140-year-old building in Lorman, MS, that is a restaurant that serves 
some of the best fried chicken in America.
  The Old Country Store Restaurant, known as Mr. D's, who is the owner 
and operator, is a charming and rustic restaurant, nestled in the 
rolling hills of Hwy 61. Offering a unique heartwarming dining 
experience, the restaurant is know for its Southern cuisine, featuring 
classic comfort food like fried chicken, cornbread, collard greens, 
sweet potato pie, and a serenade at your table by Mr. D, himself, 
especially if dining with a woman. He just likes to cut up and have a 
good time.
  Giving you the Old Country Store vibe, the ambiance is inviting, with 
the wooden floors, vintage decor, and cozy, welcoming atmosphere. 
Whether a local or a tourist passing through, the Old Country Store 
Restaurant is not only a place to fill your appetite, but also a place 
that gives you that rich history and traditions of the south. It's a 
must-visit for anyone seeking a true Southern culinary and cultural 
experience in the heart of Mississippi.
  ``It was my grandmother's recipe,'' he said. Davis, originally from 
Florida, bought the building after spotting it when dropping off his 
sons at nearby Alcorn State University. Starting off, Mr. Davis held 
social events for the college students there on Thursday Nights. He 
then decided to turn the store into a restaurant and opened in December 
1999.
  Restaurant tables are surrounded by the store-shelves and shelves of 
all kinds of antique items you can think of, as well as business cards 
pinned to the shelves from years of visitors. Visitors such as Oprah 
Winfrey, Matthew McConaughey, and many Mississippi governors have 
professed their love of the chicken following their visits.
  Mr. D's Fried Chicken has been featured in numerous media outlets, 
including New York Times, The Food Network, Southern Living and more. 
He has also been featured in numerous local and regional media outlets, 
including newspapers and magazines.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. D's 
Old Country Store, home of the best friend chicken in America, located 
right here in Lorman, MS, in the 2nd Congressional District.

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