Page 44 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2019

DINING pro le
HOME OF THE Best Fried Catfish ON THE COAST SINCE 1980
story and photos courtesy of Cat sh Charlie
In 2005, Michael and Karen Sinopoli proudly took ownership of Cat sh Charlie restaurant, which has been in the Sinopoli family since 1980. Since that time, they have continued to
be a Coast favorite because of their great food and good ole’ Southern hospitality.
Because both Michael and Karen were born in the Mississippi Gulf Coast area, they have a rm knowledge of what folks around here like. Working in a public setting is in their blood, particularly
in the food industry. Michael’s father, Charlie Sinopoli, and his brothers opened at least seven restaurants since the ‘50s. After Charlie’s passing, it was only natural for them to step up to the plate and continue the family business.
“We take great pride and pleasure in knowing that we serve the best southern fried cat sh on the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” Michael says. “Our repeat
and new customers enjoy feeling like family when they dine in our quaint, comfortable, country-style setting, and our staff is top notch in customer service. We are proud to serve fresh seafood from our Gulf waters, Cat sh from northern Mississippi, and fresh chicken that we hand-bread ourselves. By doing most of the prep work in-house, it helps us bear all the challenges of the rising food and labor costs.”
Since Southern Fried Cat sh is what
Cat sh Charlie does best, it’s hard to improve on. “You just don’t want to mess with a product that has already proven itself to be the reason that return customers grace your establishment,” says Karen. “However, we are also able to make cooking method changes for those with dietary issues upon request.”
Karen’s father, Gene Jordan, used to throw a cast net to catch mullet, also known as Biloxi Bacon, so she has a great love and respect for various forms of seafood, especially if it’s paired with yellow grits. “When you stop in at Cat sh Charlie, be sure to ask for the grits with your cat sh,” she says. “It’s really good!”
Michael loves Italian style foods and all types of seafood. His mother, Marian Sinopoli, loved cooking spaghetti with gravy for the family.
“If you think you want to be a cook and own your own restaurant, make sure you spend some time doing all the tasks that you will hire others to do,” said Michael. “Spend at least ve years learning all you can about what it takes to work
in a public setting, how important it is that you maintain consistency, and how to deal with an unexpected problems. Walk a mile in your staff’s shoes, be able to perform any task in your restaurant yourself, and be proud of the product you serve.”
Cat sh Charlie
11419 Canal Rd., Gulfport
228.832.9195 | www.cat shcharlie.com Open Thursday through Saturday, 5-8 p.m.
Story partially sponsored by the Mississippi Coast Restaurant & Beverage Association, which Cat sh Charlie is a member of.
44 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • December 2019
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Merry Christmas from Michael and Karen Sinopoli!