1. For The Love Of God, It’s Pronounced Mo-BEEL
Most outsiders pronounce it as “Mo-buhl.” Some even say “Mo-BILE.” Both are wrong and are a clear sign that you’re not from around here. It’s “Mo-BEEL.” Everything else is like nails on a chalkboard.
2. Roll What?
Roll Tide. You better get used to hearing the University of Alabama's battle cry, and often. The Crimson Tide is a sort of religion to Mobile folks. And if you see someone with a box of Tide laundry detergent on their head (or anywhere else it doesn’t belong) now you know why.
3. Almost Every Girl Has Been In Some Sort Of Pageant At Some Point In Her Life
Not everyone likes pageants. But those people don’t live in Mobile where the pageant industry is exploding. There is the Miss Mobile competition, Junior Miss Mobile, Miss University of Mobile and the Distinguished Young Women competition.
4. Yes, You’re Expected To Pronounce All The French Names Correctly
Like New Orleans, Mobile has French roots. Mobile was founded by French explorers, the LeMoyne brothers. Bienville loosely means “pretty city” in French, hence Mobile has Bienville Square. There’s also Dauphin Street and Dauphin Island, Beauregard, Conti, and Joachim streets to name a few…
5. Dew Drop Will Spoil You On All Other Hot Dogs Forever
Hot dogs from Dew Drop are a staple here in Mobile. If you come here and haven’t tried one, then you haven’t really come here. Topped with chili that soaks into the toasted bun and garnished with a pickle slice, order yours all the way to do it right.
6. Airport Boulevard Is A Mobile Local’s Worst Nightmare
Okay, that’s a bit dramatic. But if you spend any time here, it will become the bane of your commuting existence. It’s bumper to bumper traffic regardless of the time of day, the lights have a mind of their own, and Southern hospitality seems to go on vacation when the road rage starts to set in.
7. And Don’t Try To Take Dauphin Island Parkway To Dauphin Island
One of the biggest misassumptions people make is that you can take Dauphine Island Parkway straight to Dauphin Island. But you can’t. You used to be able to, but that all changed in the early 1980s and a detour was created to accommodate the dredging of the Theodore Ship Channel.
8. Mobile And New Orleans Are Two Peas In A Pod
Mobile and The Big Easy have a lot in common, particularly in their cultural roots and food. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that Mobile doesn’t have its own unique qualities. And you should know...
9. But Mobile Is Responsible For Mardi Gras, Not Nawlins
Not the other way around, contrary to popular belief. Beads, parades, gratuitous bras--the whole Mardi Gras nine yards.
10. Watch Out For Flying Moon Pies
It used to be that people threw boxes of Cracker Jacks during Mardi Gras parades. But perhaps everyone realizedthat getting pelted with boxes wasn’t the best idea and developed the tradition of throwing the much softer confection: Moon Pies.
11. In Fact, Moon Pies Even Ring In The New Year
You won’t just find Moon Pies in Mobile during Mardi Gras. They’re a big deal here all year long, with over 4 million of the marshamallowy cakes being consumed in the city every year alone. They’re such a big deal, that the city drops a giant 12-foot Moon Pie over the city on New Year’s Eve in lieu of a crystal ball.
12. The Crichton Leprechaun Is Definitely Real
Source: botmib's channel on YouTube
Okay, it depends on who you ask. In 2006, Local 15 News had no problem finding believers, making Mobile a viral meme overnight. But come on, guys. That sketch is all the proof you need. OF COURSE HE’S REAL!
13. In Mobile, "Salad" Doesn't Mean Leafy Greens
A West Indies salad is a glorious combination of crab meat, white onion, and vinegar and it is sublime. You can’t find them outside of Mobile, so don’t miss out while you’re here.
14. By The Way, Mobile Is Where You’ll Find The Freshest Seafood
If you ask around for the best places to eat in Mobile, you will undoubtedly be given a list of seafood restaurants. The locals love their seafood, as well they should. It comes straight out of the Gulf of Mexico right onto your plate. Sometimes it even gets cooked.
15. And Sometimes It Gets Fried
A local delicacy in Mobile are fried blue crab claws. Head to Felix’s Fish Camp on the Bay to get the originals which locals go absolutely crazy for.
16. Mobile Locals Like Their Oysters Bienville-Style
If you think the only way to eat oysters is either on the half shell or grilled, then you obviously haven’t spent any time in Mobile. These guys know their way around an oyster, especially at the iconic Wintzell’s Oyster House downtown. Get them Bienville-syle, loaded with shrimp, crab meat, and a Parmesan sauce and you’ll never look at an oyster the same way again.
17. If You Think Seattle Is Rainy, Just You Wait
Then you must not have ever heard that Mobile is the rainiest city in America. It’s true. Mobile gets over five feet of rain every year. To top it off, the summers are ridiculously humid, which can make these months feel not unlike a swampy rainforest.
18. Mobile Folks Give Joe Cain All Due Appreciation
Mobile owes Joe Cain a mighty big thanks. He is the reason that the city started up their Mardi Gras celebrations after the end of the Civil War. Now they honor him with a procession from his grave at Church Street Graveyard to his old home on Augusta Street during a day-long celebration that falls on the Sunday before Fat Tuesday.
19. The Azaleas Are Something Of A Landmark
It’s not called “The Azalea City” for nothing. Mobile is known for their fragrant flower bushes and have centered a lot of things in the city around them.
20. Especially To The Women Who Dress Up Like Azaleas
Walking azalea bushes? Giant cotton candy? No to both. These are Azalea Trail Maids and are the pride of the city. These high school seniors chalk up a lot of cash to parade around as ambassadors of the city in their Scarlet O’Hara-style dresses complete with pantaloons.
21. And People Who Use Azaleas As An Excuse To Run
The Azalea Trail Run is going on nearly 40 years now and brings thousands of runners to the city. Be there or be square.
22. In Mobile, You’ll Learn The Difference Between The Causeway And The Bayway
Two tunnels, two highways. The Bankhead leads you to the Causeway and the Wallace puts you on the Bayway. Don’t be fooled by the names, though. The Causeway has the more scenic view, leading you to Battleship Memorial Park and to some great seafood joints.
23. You’ll Never Sink Mobile’s Battleship
It won’t be long until you notice that there is a gigantic battleship parked bayside in Mobile. After its World War II excursions, the Battleship USS Alabama has been docked here since 1964, serving as a memorial to veterans and perpetual destination for classroom field trips every year.
24. Mobile Folks Are Also Margaritaville Folks… Kind Of
He might have been born in Mississippi, and he’s obsessed with the Keys. But Jimmy Buffet spent his childhood right here in Mobile. And no one here will let you forget it. Especially when he comes to town, in which case, no parrot goes unmanned.
25. Mobile Folks Are Jubilant About Jubilee
You might not know what a jubilee is and that’s because Mobile Bay is one of the only places in the world that experiences it. It’s a natural phenomenon where large amounts of fish and shellfish gather in shallow areas of the bay and can be easily harvested.
Featured image source: Flickr user Steve Burns
What do you have to explain to out-of-towners about Mobile? Tell us in the comments below!
