ADVERTISEMENT

Phoenicia Gourmet Restaurant closes Government Street location, moves to Bienville Boulevard

After 29 years, Ocean Springs restaurant relocates to larger space on Bienville Boulevard

Phoenicia Gourmet Restaurant closes Government Street location, moves to Bienville Boulevard After 29 years, Ocean Springs restaurant relocates to larger space on Bienville Boulevard (wlox)
By Raylen Ladner

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) — Phoenicia Gourmet Restaurant served its final meal on Government Street after 29 years, with a new location already set to open April 1.

Phoenicia Gourmet Restaurant served its final meal on Government Street after 29 years, with a new location already set to open April 1. (WLOX)

Owner Essam Sabagh, known to customers as Mr. Sam, said the move marks a new chapter for the Lebanese-style restaurant he built from the ground up.

“Well, I’ve been here 29 years. It’s my baby, you know. So we built it from scratch. And now we’re going to do it again. We’re moving to a new place. It’s going to be better,” Sabagh said.

New location brings upgrades

The new restaurant at 1108 Bienville Boulevard will include a parking lot with space for 40 to 50 cars, a front patio, a water fountain and a ballroom. Server Robert Gonzales said upgraded appliances will also improve service capacity.

“With upgraded appliances, it’ll definitely be faster service. We’ll be able to serve more people,” Gonzales said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sabagh said the menu will remain unchanged.

“We’re going to do a lot of new things in there. We’re going to put a patio in the front. A water fountain. We’re going to build a big ballroom on the side,” Sabagh said.

The new restaurant at 1108 Bienville Boulevard will include a parking lot with space for 40 to 50 cars, a front patio, a water fountain and a ballroom. Server Robert Gonzales said upgraded appliances will also improve service capacity. (WLOX)

Customers react to the move

Customers packed the Government Street location for its final day of service. Regular Jeff Cole said the restaurant’s reputation is built on its food and management.

“Everything is, you know, everything is good here. Sam runs a very tight ship. Good service. Good food,” Cole said.

Gonzales said the loyal customer base is expected to follow the restaurant to its new address.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Mr. Sam’s a big staple here. He’s been here for a while. Customers love him. The food is great. I think that says it all,” Gonzales said.

Regular Jeff Cole said the restaurant’s reputation is built on its food and management. (WLOX)

Sabagh said reservations for the new location are already filling up ahead of the April 1 opening.

“I have a lot of encouragement from the customers. They all said they are coming to see me. And I’m looking forward to moving over there. I’m very excited,” Sabagh said.

The new Phoenicia Gourmet Restaurant at 1108 Bienville Boulevard opens April 1 at 7:30 a.m.

See a spelling or grammar error in this story? Report it to our team HERE.

Copyright 2026 WLOX. All rights reserved.