Downtown Biloxi is booming with locally owned and operated coffee/breakfast venues, the leader and five- time Covey winner for best coffee is Jacked Up Coffee Bar. Owner Dixie Newman-Hawthorne returned to her roots in Biloxi from the fast pace of New York City and decided to run for Councilman to help improve the city after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Her family purchased an old building at 999 Howard Ave. After much consideration she decided the city of Biloxi could really use a specialty coffee joint. Her love for strong and effective coffee inspired her double shot espresso creations along with coffee and teas that will have you caffeine buzzing, or Jacked Up! They offer all sorts of seating in the farm house meets old Biloxi décor. Conveniently located in proximity of Vieux Marche, law offices, banks, the hospital, the police station, and the casinos and beaches, she’s got a thriving business with locals and tourists stopping in for their favorite morning fix (or anytime) along with home-baked sweets, breakfasts, or lunch.
This is a real family affair, with her brother Cory executing his culinary skills in his tiny little kitchen, momma Fredda kicking in some old family recipes, and Debbie, better known as granny, expediting and keeping the kitchen on an even keel. Sable, the spunkiest cashier in training to be a barista, she just makes your whole day with her upbeat sweetness. I came a day early and the place was full of low- key younger peeps on their laptops. The next day, same time, the place was hopping with folks out to enjoy a meal as well as few running through to shoot their espresso and get back to their busy day! On that note, Dixie selected five specialty coffees for us to sample while the chef performed his magic! We sipped on a Royal Latte with white chocolate, hazelnut and cinnamon; the Iced Red Velvet Latte with white chocolate and a sweet cream heart; the New Orleans Iced Coffee cold brewed with chicory and milk; the White Chocolate Icechino (my favorite); and the Dirty Sexy Coffee with vodka, Bailey’s and chocolate over coffee ice cubes. There is more than one way to Jack Up your coffee, ha!!! Of course you can enjoy coffee exactly the way you like it, I had the Chocolate Icechino made with vanilla ice cream the day before, it was heavenly! Be careful though, too much caffeine (after five tastings) can wind you up for sure!
