Hal and Mal's

Some places carry history in their bones. Hal & Mal's is one of them — and these days, the food is reason enough to walk through the door.

A Menu With Something to Say

Damien Cavicchi, a New Orleans native with deep restaurant roots, has expanded the menu with bold, craft-driven offerings that sit comfortably alongside the classics. Think lamb meatballs kofta-style with tahini yogurt and chili crisp, duck fat potatoes with chamomile and honey, a tuna-stuffed avocado with sushi-grade fish and fried capers. The Gulf staples remain: red beans and rice, seafood gumbo, po-boys done right. But now, there's new ambition on every plate. And next door at The Walk-In — the former brewpub — a lush tiki-inspired courtyard bar with small plates and creatively crafted cocktails, Mary Sanders Cavicchi's design instincts shine: dark, intimate, and a little New Orleans in the best possible way.

A Depot With Deep Roots

The food has a home worth knowing about. Founded in 1986 by brothers Hal and Malcolm White, Hal & Mal's took root in Jackson's old GM&O freight depot on Commerce Street and never left. For nearly four decades it's been where the city comes to eat, drink, listen, and gather — and every March, where the city comes to celebrate. Hal's St. Paddy's Parade & Festival, one of Jackson's most beloved annual traditions, has called Hal & Mal's home for more than forty years. When Hal White passed in 2013, Malcolm kept the legacy alive — until a chance neighborhood walk led to a conversation that changed everything.

The Right People at the Right Time

Damien and Mary Sanders Cavicchi had been looking for a restaurant project when they crossed paths with Malcolm White in their neighborhood. That conversation turned into a deal, and in November 2022 the Cavicchis took the reins. Mary Sanders — who grew up in Brandon, studied theatre set design at Millsaps College, and spent seven years designing luxury hotels in Washington, D.C. — had already left her mark on Jackson's restaurant scene, having designed Babalu in Fondren. She knew exactly what to do with these spaces.

Music, Blues, and a Full Weekly Lineup

Together, they've honored what Hal & Mal's has always been while opening it up to something new. Raphael Semmes brings jazz every Tuesday. Jesse Robinson anchors Catfish Fridays. The Big Room hosts touring regional and national acts. And as the home base of the Central Mississippi Blues Society, Hal & Mal's anchors Jackson's blues culture in a way few venues can claim.

What's Next

More is coming. The Museum Trail greenway is set to run right behind the building — and when it does, trail riders will have a very good reason to stop.

Malcolm White's family legacy is intact. It's just got some new energy now.