Today, this subtle, rebellious spirit of her residents still lies under the surface as young families forsake the ubiquitous surroundings of large, suburban cities for a slower pace of life. Never has it been more evident with the majority of growth realized by self-made, multi generational companies and world-class corporations who call Jones County home.
PHILLIP’S DRIVE-IN
The good people of Laurel have been flocking to Phillips Drive-In for generations. It opened in 1948 as a Dairy Queen, but the Phillips family left the franchise in the 1960s, and eventually partnered with the Beard family. Their relationship still exists today.
This drive-in is so popular that the owners hold an annual reunion. Last year more than 1,200 people attended, visiting from as far away as Alaska. There is a car show, music, and more cheeseburgers than you’d think possible.
PDI, as the locals affectionately call Phillips, is an old-time drive-in, and there’s nothing fancy about it. They do not serve haute cuisine, and there’s nothing remotely Pacific Rim-fusion on the menu. However, if you are looking for a good cheeseburger, then PDI is the right place for you.
The menu really is all about burgers, but they do offer a few sandwiches, hot dogs, and a handful of good sides. The basic burger (a grilled beef patty adorned with mustard, ketchup, onions, and pickle) will set you back the grand sum of $2.15. If you make it a jumbo burger, the price skyrockets to $3.25. The most expensive burger on the menu, the Hellfighter, consists of a burger with mayo, onion, lettuce, tomato, pickle, cheese, and jalapeño peppers. The Hellfighter, even when ordered as a jumbo including fries, costs $5.65.