Hot fried Mississippi catfish, a table covered in boiled shrimp, a perfectly seared bluefin tuna steak . . . It’s summertime in Brookhaven, and that means local restaurants are reaching into the waters, serving up fresh-caught delicacies straight from the Gulf and other nearby waterways—all to foster true Southern community around the table.
At Melba’s Place, for instance, you’ll meet owner Calvin Crane, who says, “If it’s your first time here and you have not met someone new or made a friend by the time you leave, I have not done my job.”
“We want you to come as you are, pull tables together if needed, and enjoy a good meal while visiting with friends and family.” —Calvin Crane, owner of Melba's
Crane opened the restaurant after his retirement from the thirty-six years in the oil industry. During that time, one of his favorite things to do was cook, entertain, and host for family and friends at his home in Brookhaven. “I thought taking that same love and passion and applying it to a business would be something I’d deeply enjoy, and I went with it,” he said. “It was not easy. I had a lot to learn and made plenty of mistakes, but with the help of friends and family here, I managed to get past the learning curve.”
After years of operating The Shack at 550 right next to the old grocery store his family had run for years, he started renovating the store—transforming it into a larger location for his thriving restaurant. Eventually he renamed “The Shack” in honor of his mother, Melba.
Delicious seafood at Melba's in Brookhaven
Diners dig into a freshly boiled spread of crawfish and crab legs.
The menu at Melba’s evolves with the seasons, but on most days offers a selection of domestic saltwater seafood and Mississippi catfish, as well as poboys, pasta dishes, and appetizers. Customers line up for Melba’s alfredo, as well as for the weekend specials—which could be anything from a rack of lamb, to Spanish Paella, to gumbo, to lobster. “I’m always looking for something new and unique to prepare,” said Crane.
The environment is meant to be casual and family-friendly, with indoor and outdoor seating. Crane wants people to feel like they can bring their kids, a true community living room. “You may see one of my grandchildren answering the phone or helping behind the counter, or children decorating the floors with chalk,” he said. “If you’d like to watch a ball game, we’ve got you covered, or you may hear a local strumming on guitar in the corner.”
Melba’s Place has something for everyone, he said. “We want you to come as you are, pull tables together if needed, and enjoy a good meal while visiting with friends and family.”
Find the latest specials at Melba’s Place on their Facebook page, and learn more about Brookhaven’s local culinary scene at visitbrookhavenms.com/eat.
