Ajax Diner, Courthouse Square, Oxford, Mississippi *****

Now here's a place that's close to Edna Earl's heart. Traditional Southern food, in a diner setting, with a little somethin' extra -- and it's always a GOOD somethin' extra. EE's personal favorite order is a vegetable plate with fried eggplant, collard greens, black-eyed peas, coleslaw -- or whatever vegetable combination is in season -- with cornbread, of course. The mashed potatoes are a favorite, as are the chicken an' dumplins and a local specialty called "Comeback Sauce" (somethin' to do with football? Edna Earl is no sports fan.). Mixed drinks and wine and beer are available. Ajax sports a lively scene, pretty much any time of day or night, with a bar up front and restaurant seating a few steps into the place. The world's best waitresses work at Ajax Diner on the Square in Oxford, Mississippi -- no kiddin'. They're SMART as whips, too.

Ajax is a favorite of the whole Mississippi Manning family -- so you're liable to see Eli, Archie, and Peyton, as well as the Manning wives and mothers. You might just catch a glimpse of other famous Mississippians in here, too -- so between bites be sure to keep a lookout. Warning: Portions are HUGE at Ajax, so come hungry. You'll come back, for sure.