This came recommended from our home builder and also a top place to visit on Yelp. So we had to go because we wanted seafood on our first official night in our new place. It exceeded all my expectations after reading the other reviews. It wasn't busy, you go inside to order, cafeteria style, then they brought out our food to the table we sat at. It's a BYOB kinda place plus I saw others bring the kids' drinks too. Outside was perfect tonight, the breeze was nice! Both of us enjoyed the food we ordered, I got the red fish sandwich; perfection!! Fiancé had the crab cakes and loved them (I'm allergic :( ) We spent mid range but the food was worth it and I highly recommend checking this place out, we'll be back for sure!! With our own beer haha read more

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I was nervous about the restaurant being taken over by new management, but now I'm disappointed more people aren't showing up to the door. Darwell's is the epitome of what every Creole and Cajun restaurant should be and it should stand as the standard for every other restaurant lined across the coast in Missississippi. The service was outright amazing. The atmosphere from inside the restaurant vibrant as it was 5 years ago. And the food was even better than I remembered. The only issue is more people need to be filling the seats and start realizing what they are missing out on. I had the etouffee, and as someone born and raised in Gulfport, it's shameful to admit how many restaurants along the border of the Gulf Coast of MS are incapable of making it. I've seen crawfish fried, sour cream added as a side, and flavorless, unseasoned soups poured into bowls from several places. I do not eat out much, but I can confidently say that Dawrwell's Cafe is and will remain my go-to restaurant to give me a taste of home. read more

Great food great service great atmosphere will definitely be back! Quirky little place read more

Didn't see what all tear hype was about... food wasn't good. They didn't have fries for the kids, styrofoam plates and plastic forks and knifes and no alcohol sales. Wouldn't visit again. read more

BOOM! FLAVORTOWN! Ok. I like to make fun of Guy Fieri and his over the top personality. Despite his laughable quotes, he must bring a ton of business to a restaurant that he visits for his show. So yes, he visited and filmed at Darwell's, but no, that's not why you should come. The real reasons you should visit Darwell's are that the food, service and environment are very good with an appropriate amount of funky. Ambiance Darwell's decor is like eating with friends who were full on hippies in the 60s. There are rooms filled with art created by Darwell himself, a colorful and funky outdoors and other rooms with kitschy items that appear to have been collected over a lifetime of visiting garage sales. While that may sound like I'm suggesting it's a negative, it most certainly is not. I absolutely love it and my favorite place to sit is the art room. Service The people who work at Darwell's are all incredibly friendly. From the owners who greet you outside as you come or go, to the cashier, to the guy who makes your drinks, everyone made us feel welcome. This is an order at the counter, pick up your drinks and your food is brought to you kind of place. But the food will come out way faster than you expect. Food So far I've tried their turkey sandwich, shrimp sandwich, potato salad and shrimp creole. The sandwiches were very simply done, but the flavor was anything but simple. I don't quite know how they elevate simple cuisine to another level, but they most certainly do. The shrimp creole was done well, but I would have liked more spice. Hot sauce fixed that issue and I think most people would love their version of this dish. Will I be back? Hell yes. read more

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Definitely not your typical seafood place, but this place is on its way to being world famous! The owners met us with menu explanations and stories of their television debuts! They have been on all the food shows!! The restaurant was clean and fun with lots of colored string lights! The food was absolutely delicious!! We will definitely be back when we are in the area! I'm so glad we found them! read more

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I had heard great things about the etouffee so I ordered that and my wife had the redfish. The etouffee was different than any I have had previously but it was so salty I just couldn't eat it. It was like he used a whole container of Tony's Creole Seasoning, which is mostly salt. Anyway, maybe it was a rare mistake, but I will never know. My wife said the redfish was just so-so, mostly tasteless. Service was good and the food took no time at all (I'm thinking microwaves). The room we ate in had christmas lights all over the ceiling and paint-by-numbers paintings all over the walls. It was different, but I don't think in a nice way. So over 50 bucks to eat on styrofoam with plastic forks. We weren't very happy at the happiness cafe. Time to try other places. read more

Absolutely terrible. The atmosphere the food and the prices. The portions were ridiculously small for the price. They brought me out a rotten side salad with brown withered lettuce. The blacken red fish was burnt to a crisp and tasted burnt. The host tried to tell me that is how blackened fish is prepared. I then explained to him that being from Louisiana that was not blackened but burnt. This place gets two thumbs down. Don't waste your time with this dump. read more

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The food is very good. Service not so much. They talk very loudly of politics and their views but do not respect others options if it does not agree with their own and call ahead if they are open, their hours are not up to date on yelp. read more

This place is awesome the food is top-notch the people are great the atmosphere is killer don't miss it folks it's really worth the money in the effort speaking of money those prices are so reasonable. read more

Stop yelling at patrons. It isn't a good look. I have seen you yell at more than one location and multiple times. The food does not overcome the crazy behavior. read more

Food was amazing everything tasted great, the owners were very on top of it and very attentive. The service was also very good my cup never went empty. The ambience was really fun with a couple aquariums set up. read more

The food is really good, the service is great as well! They have some creative dishes sometimes, or used to, I haven't been since they opened back up... read more

To all the Southern Mississippi men when you go out, do not use your southern charm by saying "thank you doll," "I appreciate it sweetheart " or "have a good day doll." I don't remember saying it but I guessed I did, because it's a habit of mine. I was born and raised in Mississippi for 62 years. While my wife and I were eating, I heard the lady talking to her husband. "I don't appreciate being called sweetheart I've been married to you for 35 years. I just don't appreciate it". We finish eating and my wife and I was leaving , the man in the kitchen thank us. We thank them. The food was good. Went out to my car with my wife, and while we were sitting in our car, I asked my wife if the lady was talking about me. I told my wife I felt like I needed to go inside and apologize to her if I offended her, so I went back inside and I apologize to her if I said something inappropriate to her and she just started using the F bomb telling me to get the F out of my restaurant and all like that and I just told her that I'm just an old southern boy, and then her husband came out telling me and My Wife to get the F out of their restaurant. I just wanted to apologize and they went berserk. I wouldn't go back and eat there if the food was free. It's up to you, but if you're a southern gentleman, don't be nice and say southern phrase. Just order your food, handle your business pay and get out. read more

WOW! This place is amazing. I had one of the specials... Tuna (sushi grade) over pasta. It was cooked to perfection. The sauce was so delicious. My husband had pan seared Redfish with pasta and it too was cooked to perfection. I can't wait to come back to Long Beach to eat here again!! read more

This place is down right amazing. It's rare that I give a full 5 stars. But this place has it all. From a free live band in an outdoor patio setting that's great for families, or first dates or even family and friends gathering. The food. That speaks for itself. I'm sold on the crawfish etoufee. The wonderful gentleman who greeted us and took our order offered us a sample of their etoufee and it was absolutely divine. Needless to say that's what we ordered. From the delicious food to the kid friendly food and atmosphere this place is the perfect intimate spot for you and a date, kid friendly for you and the family, or can even accommodate a large group to celebrate an event with. The parking is off street. It's very informal. The patio is lit up with Christmas lights, patio furniture and a stage for outdoor entertainment. It's very family oriented. They have been in business for over 13 years and the service is outstanding. The people actually care who work here and they go above and beyond to make your experience exceptional. I highly recommend this place to anyone in the area. read more

Darwell's Happiness Cafe - Live band. Great food. Great atmosphere. - Salad Near Me - Long Beach, Mississippi

I didn't think this place was that great. I ordered taste of darwells. The shrimp red one tasted like Campbell's tomato soup. The white crawfish one tasted like Campbell's cream of mushroom soup. The other one was not memorable. This is a whole in the wall, and is BYOB. You order your food at counter, get a number, and sit down. It's not a good date night place. The staff is very friendly however. There is also unique decor. read more

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A couple of weeks ago I left a review of this establishment. I told the absolute truth which was unfortunately uncomplimentary. Both my husband and I had to literally spit out our 1st bite of our burgers. Since then the only word I have for what Darwell has been doing to me is stalking. He voted 12 days ago on the review I left and since then have made strange comments on all my reviews. 2 days ago he started following ma and them yesterday he started over. This is beyond creepy and we've spoken with the police in his area. I sent him an email asking him to please stop. There is no phone help for consumer yelp users. If it doesn't stop I'll just have to stop using Yelp. read more

We returned to Darwell's 10 years after our first visit and it totally lived up to the memories and maybe even surpassed them! The food was amazing...every detail was perfection. The crawdaddy burger was out of this world and so was the étouffée and the po' boys! Save room for dessert because WOW, the home made (snickers and butterscotch) "candy bars" and chocolate brownies are magical! The restaurant owners are serving up smiles and love in heaping helpings and we'll be back, long before 10 years! read more

This is our second time here when you come to visit family in town. Service was good and good was awesome. This place you bring your own alcohol. read more

Darwell's Happiness Cafe - Salad Near Me - Long Beach, Mississippi

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I was so excited to try this place during my first visit to the coast after learning that this had been featured on the food network. It made the long wait totally worth it. We came with a large group on a Friday night so we did have to wait about 20 minutes to be seated. It's a funky/unique place and I see why Guy picked it up for his show. There was live bluegrass music and people dancing along. Such a fun atmosphere at an unsuspecting hole in the wall. I was instructed by just about everyone to order the crawfish etouffe. Having little experience with Cajun food, I didn't know what I was in for. And because it was so dark outside I really couldn't see my food (since they don't have outdoor lighting), it just looked like a plate of mush. I was pretty disappointed as I was expecting a lot of spice and heat and the meal was extremely one note. The texture was all the same and everything kind of melded together into one big bland mush. I've since moved to the coast and have experienced plenty more creole cuisine so I'd like to think of myself as a better judge of good Cajun meal. But I have yet to return. I'd like to give this place a second shot so I can better evaluate. I will be sure to update this review when I do! read more

Great food,great service! Amazing food, great selection and service. Deserts to cherish!

Fun and funky place for down home gulf coast / Southern fare. Red beans and rice with sausage hit the spot for lunch; flavorful with a bit of a kick. "Yum-yum" sauce, a white sauce with shrimp and crab, was served over angel hair pasta: it was rich and creamy with a good balance if shrimp and crab. Nice cornbread: sweet and not too dry, not too mushy. From the moment we walked through the door, the help was super duper friendly. The kept our drinks filled (sweet tea / diet coke). My only gripe? All the plastic used to serve the food. Not very eco-conscious. For that reason, I give only four stars (though I wish I could give 4 1/2 ). read more

Darwell's Happiness Cafe - Yum yum over angel hair pasta (above); red beans and rice with sausage (below). - Salad Near Me - Long Beach, Mississippi

WOW! Not only was the service spectacular, but the owners were incredibly nice and homely. Dinner was mouthwatering good, and dessert was the icing on the cake. Highly recommend the homemade snickers! Do not pass up this opportunity! read more

Darwell's Happiness Cafe - Owners with Baby Davila! Can't wait to bring him here again once he's born! - Salad Near Me - Long Beach, Mississippi

The crabcake was delicious and the crawfish etouffee with shrimp, though a little more spicy than I was warned, was also amazing. It was very filling, I couldn't finish it all. The atmosphere was laid back and had we known it was BYOB we definitely would have. read more

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Walked in with an energy drink in February (saw no posted signs). They served me happily. Walked in with an energy drink today. Darwell did not seem to mind at all when he handed me the menu and told me about the place. His wife however, started cussing very loudly about me, right in front of me. When I realized it was about me bringing a drink in and told her I didn't realize it was a rule and I was happy to pay for one, she told me it would be $20, cussed more, yelled at me. Then her husband encouraged her by shouting about how I pissed off the owner. They told me to leave before they called the cops. keep in mind, I did not yell or cuss once at these two people. They have no signs posted. I apologized. I tried to diffuse the situation. They call themselves a family establishment that wants kind customers.... the etouffee is good, but not THAT good though. read more

Darrell's has amazing cheeseburgers! The staff is friendly and very attentive! We loved that the owner comes out to check on how the food is! Great place to eat! read more

Darwell's Happiness Cafe - Cheeseburger - Salad Near Me - Long Beach, Mississippi

This place is the secret gem of Long Beach. If you have not been here, you are missing out. I was here during the day but can see how great it would be here at night with all the twinkling lights. So that is the laid back atmosphere. The food. On word phenomenal. Flavor is off the chains. read more

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We popped in as a fairly large party but received personalized, first-class service! They're currently serving what they described as a "limited menu," but every one of us found something we loved in the options. Every dish was cooked to perfection, and I appreciated that the redfish was incredibly flavorful but not overly salted. Fun, positive energy in the place. Quirky unique decor, upbeat playlist (no live music on the night we stopped in), and GREAT overall vibe. Will definitely be back! read more

Darwell's Happiness Cafe - Owner and his wife celebrating with us after they fed us an amazing meal! - Salad Near Me - Long Beach, Mississippi

I really can't add more to these reviews besides saying that these yelpers are correct. Found this place by accident and next time I am in this state we will go out of our way to get here. Not a bad thing on the menu and staff is excellent. I do wish they would serve on paper or real instead. Plastic is such a waste. read more

Darwell's Happiness Cafe - He explained every item they had like a seasoned pro - Salad Near Me - Long Beach, Mississippi

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Owner is a little quirky, as is the restaurant. When we first walked in and looked at the menu we were a little underwhelmed, then they pointed out the specials written on the wall. The food was really great. The wife had a seared tuna with pasta and I had a blackened red fish. So good! Will be returning. read more

I love Darwells it is definitely a hole in the wall, absolutely amazing. I am not sure if they still have their grilled cheeses but if they do get it, it is fantastic. Anyways have a good day read more

While on a visit over to Mississippi, we found Darwell's from a list of Triple D locations. This place rocks! The ambiance is as unique as it gets! Belly up to the bar and order up some incredible food. I went with the Crawfish Etoufee and nearly licked the bowl clean! If you are in the area, find your way to this hole in the wall! read more

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Great local food and service. The live music and ambiance is perfect! Must check out!!

The people are amazing. The food is amazing. What more could you want? The crawfish étouffée is the most well known item and you definitely have to try it. I'm lactose intolerant but it was worth it! I would recommend getting the Taste of Darwell's- it includes 3 different cups of crawfish étouffée, gumbo and creole. You should try going on a Sunday because they play live music! read more

Styrofoam containers no plates. Guy was constantly asking us questions bragging and such

Absolutely fantastic. The food was amazing, the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, and the vibe and ambiance of the cafe was warm and unique. If you're a fan of creole, stop by! read more

Darwell's Happiness Cafe - Salad Near Me - Long Beach, Mississippi

Love that nothing is fried! Fresh ingredients and wonderful sauces. We love eating outdoors and the service is great.

Great food for real people, service was outstanding! Has a funky vibe and great atmosphere.

It's not bad, worth going to. Some people swear by it. As for me. If I'm in the area I'll swing by. Atmosphere is laid back casual, I mean flip flops and shorts. Food is good not, nothing g to drive from Ocean Springs for but it's tasty. Try it you might be one of those, man that was the best lol. read more