Step into this dining experience, grab yourself a picnic table or bar stool, and not only a enjoy a timely meal, but also surround yourself in the presence of memories and food with intentionality. Pirates Cove is in a groove on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and there is a special countenance about this restaurant that people can count on.

Rusbridge is a native of Pass Christian. After spending some time living in Florida, they found their way back home to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This time they returned as the new owner of one of their favorite childhood places, known as Pirates Cove. “I grew up in Pass Christian very close to the old beach location and Pirates Cove was a big part of my childhood. We ate family dinners at Pirates Cove or had it as take out. I grew up next door to my Grandparents, and we were very close and my grandfather I think had to have been one of the number one customers of Pirates Cove back in his day. I have many fond memories of that,” Rusbridge smiled as she recounted her early memories.

There’s a pretty good chance that locals have seen her inside the restaurant playing Pacman and drinking a Barqs Rootbeer growing up. She also mentioned how they would take sandwiches to the beach and take them out on the boat. The tradition would continue throughout her high school days, and Pirates Cove would become a dependable take-out spot.

After attending Mississippi State, she would eventually find herself living in south Florida with her husband, Patrick Rusbridge. They spent a few years living in South Carolina for work, but having their first child led them to the decision to move back to an area that was closer to family.

Moving back to Mississippi was like a new start for Rusbridge and her husband. “Our dear friend in the food industry encouraged us to buy Pirates Cove. He’s been our number one cheerleader ever since, so he’s kind of our restaurant mentor,” said Rusbridge.

Owning Pirates Cove has been the Rusbridge lifestyle since February 1^st of 2023. “We had reached a point where we just wanted to be able to focus on family, and this has allowed us to wake up in the morning with our kids and spend the morning with them and pick them up from school and hopefully go to the sporting events when they come about.”

Pirates Cove has been around since 1972. Many local Mississippians can attest to the days when the restaurant was first located on the waterfront on Espy Road, long before Hurricane Katrina would later change the fate for its location.

Fun fact! Pirates cove is one of the largest retailers along the Gulf Coast for Barqs Rootbeer. Each order can be accompanied with a cold one. A fresh opened bottle is paired perfectly with po boy sandwiches to satisfy customers.

“We spent a lot of time training under the Lemarcas and we kept the same manager that has been here since 1985. So that’s something that we’re really thankful that worked for both parties. We deal with very happy people here and it’s very nice. Food is something that people bond over,” Rusbridge continued to talk about the support of the customers and how some of the staff have been there for many years. One of those key staff members is Dave Necaise, Kitchen Manager, who has been with Pirates Cove since 1985. When Necaise was asked about his experience at Pirates Cove he mentioned that the people are the best part.

“Dave understands the restaurant operations and making good food consistently. He’s also a staple to the customers. People come in and ask for him,” explained Rusbridge.

Another long-term employee is “Ms. Robin”. She has been with Pirates Cove for 9.5 years. “I enjoy the customers. I enjoy working with everybody. I just enjoy working here. Our menu has changed. We added new stuff to it which is really awesome. It’s taking off and we have more business,” said Ms. Robin. “People always say, you know, you want the best roast beef come to Pirates Cove. You know, and when they ask for their roast beef they get their roast beef. They want their chicken, they get it, and they get it prompt.”

Moving forward Rusbridge hopes to maintain consistency while being efficient. She explained that keeping the classics is essential, but customers will be able to find new flavors on the menu. While maintaining the traditional aspects of Pirates Cove, Rusbridge is also focusing on ways to make the restaurant experience easier for customers. “We’ve added online ordering, and it has been a hit,” said Rusbridge.

Visit Pirates Cove during the middle of the day and notice how quickly the lobby fills up with hungry and excited customers. “A lot of our weekday customers are on their lunch break with limited time and we want to give them good food fairly quickly,” Rusbridge also mentioned that customers are welcome to call ahead for take-out orders.

The “fan favorites” still remain, but the list of food choices has expanded. “We added salads to the menu and some more specialty po boys like the buffalo chicken bacon ranch and the buffalo shrimp bacon ranch. We have added a few po boys specifically geared for more of like a picnic. So we added a deli roast beef sandwich,” Rusbridge explained how adding a cold cut style sandwich helps out a lot for summer take out days and being out on the boat. When asked about some of the highlights of the transition Rusbridge answered with, “Loyal customers sticking with us and encouraging us.” Pirates Cove maintains a welcoming atmosphere in addition to specialty sandwiches.

The bread for the po boy sandwiches is delivered every morning from John Gendusa Bakery in New Orleans with a claim to fame as the “original po boy bread” since 1922.

Each po boy has it’s own specific dressing options. The dressings for the seafood po boys include mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle. The roast beef po boy dressings include mayo, lettuce, tomato, and the “secret gravy”, which can also be ordered as a side item for dipping fries.

Gulf of Mexico shrimp and oysters is used for sandwiches, which is sourced by a local seafood supplier, Jerry Forte Seafood, located in Pass Christian, Mississippi.

Another top contender on the menu is the old-fashioned burger. “People love our burgers.” The burgers are also pressed which adds a little bit of crisp on top of the bun.

“We’re experimenting with new specials. My husband loves cooking and smoking meat. Right now, we have a brisket po boy, and we also have the Cuban. We are alternating them right now and considering what to keep on the fulltime menu,” stated Rusbridge. Customers can also expect to see some new desserts to choose from such as cheese cakes, key lime pie, cookies, marsh mellow bars, and brownies. New ice cream flavors are also rotated seasonally for customers to try out.

A new menu board now spells out the full list of dressings. “We added technology and a Point of Sale system, the food’s the same, and I think we get it out a little faster”. The menu is just another example of some of their advancements to keep up with the times without changing Pirates Cove at it’s core. “The walls are still yellow. Still got friendly faces taking the order and the same faces making the food, and the food’s coming from the same distributor,” said Rusbridge. Although orders are now stored electronically, customers can still wait to listen for their number called out from the counter.

Let’s not forget about the arcade! “It’s just another staple that you expect at Pirates Cove. You expect roast beef. You expect Barqs, and the arcade. It makes the kids really happy,” said Rusbridge. Dueling motorcycles, pin ball, pacman, and the claw machine are up and ready for some fun times. Perfect for the kids to enjoy right after their meal.

Pirates Cove will continue to modernize overtime to give customers the most efficient and convenient experience. In a small-town area like Pass Christian, “change” can be a risky move for those who enjoy the familiarity of where they get their food. Rusbridge has made it clear that Pirates Cove is still the same heartfelt place located beside the railroad tracks on Menge Avenue. “Everyone has been very supportive and encouraging with all of the changes that we have made.”

The Rusbridges hope to grow the business over the next few years, with plans to expand to another beach location. There might also be a small outdoor seating area coming this fall at the current location. To stay up to date with the latest specials and announcements, follow Pirates Cove on Facebook and Instagram. “We really do have great customers. It’s heartwarming,” said Rusbridge.

And when asked what the last thing she would like to share with the Mississippi Gulf Coast community would be… it’s “Thank you.”

On the cover: Patrick and Keith Rusbridge are owners of Pirates Cove in Pass Christian, Miss. The restaurant is a hit with customers often giving rave reviews for their delicious po boy sandwiches.

Nikki Jean

Nikki is a Multimedia Journalist for Seaside Shoutouts, which covers exciting stories about small business owners on the MS Gulf Coast. When she is not writing for Seaside Social News she designs websites and spends as much time as possible with her family and her dog.