The Sicilian II

06/30/2026

Hey my Coastal Family!

Over the last week or so I noticed that a lot of folks have saved that digital flyer I made with our secret menu items on their phones and to use in the dining room to make their selections. I feel bad because it’s a little hard to read with such small print so I went ahead and made this digital menu page for you to save instead of that graphic! Please feel free to screenshot this or just save it to your camera roll for easier access while you’re dining with us! I’m SO GLAD everyone likes our secret menu items so much! Keep those requests coming and I’ll keep doing my best to expand our offerings to all of your favorite classic (and inventive) Italian dining cravings!

And while I have your attention please remember to cast your votes for the National Favorite Chef competition! I’m still holding second place and for a little fish like me, I think that’s REALLY saying something!

Vote here: favchef.com/2026/chris-drake

06/24/2026

Hey, my gluten-free coastal family!

Looky what finally arrived!

It took what felt like forever to track these down, get them ordered, and actually get them delivered, but I finally got my hands on authentic Italian made gluten-free lasagna noodles. That means we’re officially giving gluten-free lasagna another shot!

The last time around, the preorder system didn’t really work out the way I had hoped, and with how difficult these noodles have been to source, I’ve decided to keep things simple this time. Instead of preorders, I’m just going to make a batch and offer it first come, first served while supplies last!

I’m going to wait until Scrapin’ the Coast wraps up since things are a little wild for restaurants this week, but sometime within the next week or two, gluten-free lasagna will be making its return to The Sicilian II!

When it’s ready, I’ll make an announcement right here so you’ll know exactly when to come get it.

Thank you all for your patience, your encouragement, and for never letting me forget how badly you wanted gluten-free lasagna back. I heard you loud and clear!

And while I’ve got your attention… Who’s your Favorite Chef? 😏 😁

If you haven’t cast your daily vote yet, I’d be honored to have it. Every vote helps keep this crazy summer adventure rolling!

Vote here:
http://favchef.com/2026/chris-drake

And stay tuned… the gluten free lasagna is coming!

06/23/2026

06/22/2026

Hey my coastal family! Just a quick Favorite Chef Competition update!

Thanks to all of your amazing support, I’ve made it into the Top 10 and am still in the fight! I did slip from 1st place to 2nd place, so every daily vote really does make a difference right now and today votes are counting for DOUBLE.

This is a long competition that will continue throughout the summer, and we’re still just in the early chapters of the story. If you’ve been taking a moment each day to vote, please know how much I appreciate it. Your support has carried me this far, and I couldn’t do it without you!

Let’s keep the momentum going and see how far a little family restaurant from Biloxi can go!

Vote Here:

One chef will win $25k, a feature in Taste of Home, and a cooking experience with Carla hall.

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there.

Today is a day of celebration, but for many of us it’s also a day of remembrance. Some are spending it around the grill, some around the dinner table, and some are carrying a father in their hearts instead of sitting across from him.

I find myself thinking about my dad today. He taught me much more than how to cook. He taught me that hard work matters, that your word means something, and that taking care of people is one of the most important things you can do in this life. Every day I step into the kitchen, a little piece of him steps in there with me.

If you’re lucky enough to still have your dad, give him a call, share a meal, or tell him something you’ve been meaning to say. If your father is no longer here, I hope the memories bring more smiles than tears today.

And to all the fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, mentors, and father figures who show up for the people they love, thank you. The impact you make lasts far longer than you may ever realize.

Happy Father’s Day

06/18/2026

Hey my Coastal Family! Out of an abundance of caution we will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, June 18th, due to Tropical Storm Arthur.

I’ve been watching the forecast closely and it looks like we’re going to get some pretty intense weather tomorrow. When it comes to the safety of our guests and crew, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

We plan to reopen for normal dinner service on Friday at 5:00 PM and look forward to welcoming everyone back then!

Please stay safe, stay dry, and take care of one another. We’ll see you Friday!

06/13/2026

Hey my coastal family! Over the next few weeks you’re going to start seeing a few changes and upgrades to our dining room and the experiences we create! Beginning with our New Weekly Rhythm at The Sicilian!

One of the things I love most about a small family restaurant is that every night develops its own personality.

Wednesday is loud, happy, and full of families sharing a meal. Kids laughing, parents taking a night off from cooking, and giant pizzas landing on tables all evening long. Things may be changing all over the place but one thing that will ALWAYS be the same is Family Pizza Night and our large (16”) three topping pizzas for $11.99!

Thursday though, will be something completely different. Thursday is for couples. For husbands and wives, girlfriends and boyfriends, fiancés, partners, newlyweds, longtime sweethearts, and anyone simply looking to enjoy a quiet evening with someone special. To help preserve that intimate atmosphere, Thursday nights are now 16+ to enter. The goal is to create one evening each week dedicated to conversation, connection, candlelight, wine, and a hot meal enjoyed without rushing.

The rest of the week has its own flavor too, from our relaxed Tuesday nights with easy parking to the lively energy of Friday and the cozy bustle of Saturday. Take a look through our new weekly schedule and find the night that feels like YOUR Sicilian night.

As always, thank you for making us part of your family’s traditions, celebrations, date nights, and every moment in between. Always remember to take a little time to enjoy your meal and get ready to see all the cozy updates coming to our dining room very soon!

06/12/2026

Hey, my Coastal Family!

WE DID IT!

Thanks to your incredible support, I’ve officially advanced into the Top 20 of the Favorite Chef competition, and I’m still holding the #1 spot in my group!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Every vote, every share, every comment, and every kind word has helped carry me to this point. Seeing our little family restaurant from Biloxi standing alongside chefs from across the country has been both humbling and inspiring.

But this is only the beginning!

The first round is behind us, and the second round has officially begun. This competition is a marathon, not a sprint. There are still several rounds ahead. This journey will continue throughout the summer and every contestant still in the running is fighting for the same dream. So I’m asking you to stay with me for the long haul! Please keep voting, keep sharing, keep spreading the word, and let’s keep this fire burning!

Every round we survive is another chance to show the country what a small family restaurant, an amazing staff, and a determined Gulf Coast community can accomplish!

We’ve made it through the first gate. Now let’s see how far this road goes! Thank you for taking a little time to believe in me, believe in The Sicilian, and believe in what we’re all building together!

Vote Here:

One chef will win $25k, a feature in Taste of Home, and a cooking experience with Carla hall.

06/09/2026

Secret news, my coastal family!

Over the years we’ve created a handful of dishes that never quite made it onto the official menu, but somehow developed a loyal following all their own.

And now the big announcement!

Our brand-new Shrimp Alfonso Gnocchi has been such an overwhelming hit that it’s officially earning a permanent place on the Sicilian Secret Menu! Pan-seared gnocchi, tender shrimp, and our rich, creamy Alfonso sauce have quickly become an undisputed family favorite!

But that’s just the beginning! The Sicilian Secret Menu also features favorites like Pasta Ala Greca, Chicken Carbonara, Pasta Chazizamini, Pasta Puttanesca, Shrimp Boat Spaghetti, Shrimp Diabolo, and our newest addition which will be carried over from the Summer of ’56 Elvis celebration, but with a different name, the Pink Lady Pasta!

Some recipes are just too good to disappear. So next time you’re dining with us, ask your server about the Sicilian Secret Menu!

And while I’ve got your attention, I’d be incredibly grateful for your support in the Favorite Chef competition. Every vote helps keep this dream moving forward, and I truly appreciate every single person who’s taken the time to vote, share, and cheer me on. Thank you for believing in me!

Vote here:
https://favchef.com/2026/chris-drake

06/09/2026

Hey, my Coastal Family!

We’re down to the FINAL TWO DAYS of the first round of the Favorite Chef competition!

First, I want to say thank you. The amount of love, support, votes, shares, comments, and encouragement you’ve given me has been absolutely overwhelming. Seeing our little family restaurant and our Gulf Coast community rally together like this has meant more to me than I can put into words.

A quick update: after holding onto the #1 spot for most of the round, I’ve slipped into 2nd place. The good news is that voting is now worth DOUBLE points during these final days, which means there’s still plenty of time to make a big impact!

The way I see it, we’ve already accomplished something pretty special. A small family-owned restaurant in Biloxi is standing toe-to-toe with chefs from all over the country because of YOU.

The top contestants from each group will advance to the next round, where the scores reset and the journey begins all over again. So let’s keep this fire burning and see just how far we can take this together!

Whether you’ve voted once or every day, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Every vote, every share, and every kind word has helped carry me this far.

Now let’s show them what the Mississippi Gulf Coast is made of!

Vote Here:

One chef will win $25k, a feature in Taste of Home, and a cooking experience with Carla hall.