Anyone who doesn't eat fish need read no further! While anyone can easily turn it into a seafood lover... savvy seafood palates will be thrilled with Mary Mahoney's. Located on the Biloxi Strip, Mary Mahoney's Old French House is a favorite among locals and a must for tourists! The history of the building itself is worth a visit. The Old French House was built in 1773 during the French occupation of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Listed on the National Register of Historic Homes, The Old French House is one of the oldest homes in the United States. The house was purchased and opened as a restaurant in 1964 by the Mahoney family; Bob and Mary Mahoney and Mary's brother, Andrew Cvintanovich. Soon the restaurant was called Mary Mahoney's Old French House and to locals simply Mahoney's. The old French house has many uniquely French features; a wine cellar, rare in coastal homes, a New Orleans-style brick courtyard shaded by a 2,000-year-old oak tree locals call “The Patriarch,” and stunning dining rooms with high ceilings that capture what it must have been like to live and enjoy meals in such a magnificent home. Taking advantage of the availability of fresh seafood from locals, Mahoney's menu is large and varied enough to offer something for every day of the week. However, if time is not on your side, stick to the specialty menu Start with the "can't go wrong" presidential platter filled with fried crab claws and small soft-shell crabs, aptly named presidential platter after being served to President Ronald Reagan at the White House in 1984. Follow the crab claws and. soft shell crabs with world famous seafood gumbo With a dark, rich roux, this gumbo is meant to be shared. Not too spicy but has some... middle of paper... events .Fine cuisine, exceptional service and a solid story is a tall order for a restaurant. Many restaurants have tried to meet these criteria but few can truly say they have succeeded; Mary Mahoney's fills the order. Don't compare Mary Mahoney's to chain seafood restaurants or your typical tourist trap, Mahoney's is a true local dining experience. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the restaurant with eight feet of water. Mary Mahoney's reopened on November 3, 2005, just 65 days after the storm hit the Gulf Coast. Many say that “The Patriarca” protected the restaurant. After all, the great oak has stood tall for 2000 years, weathering many storms. Both “The Patriarch” and Mahoney's have an abundance of stories. If you are visiting the Mississippi Gulf Coast and love seafood, Mary Mahoney's is a must! If you're local, see you at Mahoney's!