5 November 2026
HATTIESBURG, MS – A Louisiana seafood chain has opened its first restaurant outside its home state in Hattiesburg, and a national steakhouse brand is about a month away from opening its first location in the city.
Off The Hook held its grand opening and ribbon cutting Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6218 U.S. Highway 98, the company said. Meanwhile, Texas Roadhouse is expected to open Dec. 7 at the former O’Charley’s site, SM2 Media reported, citing the restaurant’s website.
What opened in Hattiesburg?
In short, Off The Hook is now serving Cajun food on U.S. 98. It is the company’s 10th restaurant and its first outside Louisiana, according to a July announcement. The chain runs nine restaurants in Louisiana.
The Hattiesburg restaurant offers dine-in, drive-thru and takeout service, the July announcement said. The menu includes Gulf shrimp and catfish platters, po’boys, chicken and sausage gumbo, crawfish étouffée, red beans and rice, boudin balls and the chain’s Swamp Fries, according to the company’s opening release.
Before the public opening, the company held a preview dinner Friday, Oct. 16, for local influencers, community partners and creators. It also teamed up with comedian and content creator Mary Ryan Brown.
“Taking Off The Hook outside Louisiana for the first time is a big moment for our team,” said Paxton Moreaux, the company’s CEO and co-owner. “Seeing guests pour through our doors on opening day was incredible.”
Who took part in the ribbon cutting?
The Area Development Partnership joined the company for the ribbon cutting, according to the release. Off The Hook also made a donation to Extra Table, a Mississippi nonprofit founded by chef and restaurateur Robert St. John. Extra Table buys shelf-stable food and delivers it to food pantries and soup kitchens across the state. The company did not say how much it gave.
That kind of help is needed close to home. This week, Christian Services in Hattiesburg said its pantry is running low on canned food, peanut butter, rice and other staples, WDAM reported.
Why did Off The Hook pick Hattiesburg?
When the company announced the move in July, Moreaux said, “Hattiesburg is the perfect community for Off The Hook’s first location outside Louisiana.” He added, “Opening our 10th restaurant is an exciting milestone for our entire team.”
The company also named some of the Louisiana suppliers it uses, including Tabasco, Supreme Rice, Leidenheimer French Bread and Blue Plate Mayonnaise.
The July release said the opening would create jobs for area residents. It did not say how many. Neither release listed hours or what the company spent on the building. Pine Belt Guide is seeking those details from the company.
When does Texas Roadhouse open?
Texas Roadhouse is expected to open Dec. 7, according to the restaurant’s website, SM2 Media reported Oct. 14. By then, construction barriers and fencing around the former O’Charley’s building had come down. The website also lists planned hours, manager information and job applications, according to SM2.
The steakhouse will face familiar competition. SM2 named Outback Steakhouse, LongHorn Steakhouse and Logan’s Roadhouse as rivals. Nathan Galon, who works at another Hattiesburg steakhouse, told SM2 he did not expect a big change. “I think that the restaurant I work at has a loyal customer base,” he said.
Pine Belt Guide is seeking the expected number of jobs from Texas Roadhouse.
What else is happening in Pine Belt business?
Two Hattiesburg manufacturers were on the City Council’s Nov. 3 agenda. The council was asked to adopt final orders for state property tax exemptions for Sofidel America Corp. and Western Container Corporation. Together, the exemptions cover property with a listed true value of almost $5 million, Pine Belt Guide reported in its council preview. The outcome of that vote had not been posted Wednesday morning.
On the training side, Pearl River Community College is building a $500,000 construction and electrical technology building at its Forrest County campus, WDAM reported. The 4,800-square-foot building should be ready for students by fall 2027. Speaking about the campus’s career and technical programs, Jana Causey, vice president of the Forrest County campus, said “we’re out of capacity, and so we’re putting this building here.”
And in Petal, a record 81 businesses signed up for the chamber’s Shop Petal First holiday campaign, set for Nov. 19-21.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Off The Hook in Hattiesburg? 6218 U.S. Highway 98, Hattiesburg, MS 39402.
Does it have a drive-thru? Yes. The company says the restaurant offers dine-in, drive-thru and takeout.
When does Texas Roadhouse open in Hattiesburg? Dec. 7, according to the restaurant’s website, as reported by SM2 Media.
Where is Texas Roadhouse going? The former O’Charley’s site in Hattiesburg.
Are the restaurants hiring? Off The Hook said the opening would create local jobs, and Texas Roadhouse’s website takes job applications. Neither has said how many people it will hire.