Down Tishomingo way sits Ole Red, 214 W. Main Street, the official eatery of the town’s country boy pride and joy, Blake Shelton. Named after his old dog, I think it's the only reason I went. Just name your place after a pup and I will be there with the furriest of bells on.
Located smack dab in the middle of town, we parked in front of some small furniture store and walked across the street, the large face of that sad-eyed mutt staring at us the whole time like the canine version of Jesus. Blessed be.
As I walked up to the place, I was surprised by how small it all seemed. The restaurant is very much set up like a Cracker Barrell, complete with a Blake-heavy gift shop that, I’m sure, left no underwear unsoaked. In addition to that, his well-oiled good looks cover almost every inch of the place, guiding the way to some, I’m guessing, country eats.
Past a wall of pet portraits—that, if I had known, I would have brought one of my pup Sean—and down a ramp into the dining area, there was a bar and a small stage where a young woman played a litany of covers by modern country artists. I wonder if that’s in their contract...