South MS restaurant temporarily closing after fire. ‘We’re going to come back stronger’

Biloxi Country Cafe has temporarily closed after a fire broke out Monday night at the popular Jackson County restaurant.

A passerby saw smoke coming from the building and called authorities just before 10 p.m. Monday, Fire Marshal Jeff Mattison said. The damage appeared mostly contained to the kitchen, but smoke also billowed through the building.

“We’re going to get back open,” owner Tina Redwine vowed Tuesday morning. “We’re going to serve them again. Just give us a chance.”

It is unclear what caused the fire, but Mattison said it appears accidental. Redwine said the flames appeared to start near an air conditioner.

The restaurant, located on Lemoyne Boulevard in St. Martin , said on Facebook that the fire was “not as bad as it could have been.” It is closed on Mondays and no one was inside.

“It’s been emotional,” said Redwine, who owns the restaurant with her husband, David, and her son, Austin. She said the family has no insurance but will try to manage. They were at the restaurant Tuesday morning assessing the damage.

The Redwine family started running the restaurant in June 2023. Redwine said business had been good, and customers — many who are regulars — are great. The restaurant was previously called CJ’s Coastal Grill and transferred ownership in May 2023, according to a post on the restaurant’s social media .

The Redwine family owns another restaurant called Pope Country Cafe in north Mississippi. That building had burned before the family bought it in 2014. They rebuilt it in three months, Redwine said.

Her sons in north Mississippi were heading to the Coast on Tuesday with tools and generators.

Deputies arrived at Biloxi Country Cafe on Monday night and saw smoke coming from the roof and from a window air conditioner in back of building, Mattison said. He said firefighters extinguished the flames within minutes.

The restaurant thanked deputies and firefighters.

“Y’all are amazing,” the restaurant wrote on Facebook. “I don’t think we would have much left if it weren’t for your quick actions.”

Biloxi Country Cafe serves soul and seafood, with specials from fried boneless porkchop to roastbeef po’boys to seafood bisque and red beans and rice. Before the fire, it was open six days a week.

Redwine said she wants to open in two weeks. Her husband and son say it will take at least a month.

Redwine told customers to watch the large rocking chair in front of the restaurant. She plans to hang a banner there to announce when it will reopen.

“Just bear with us,” she said. “We’re going to come back stronger.”

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