11 Cheap But Iconic Restaurants In Mississippi That Locals Will Always Defend
Mississippi is home to restaurants that have been feeding families for generations without breaking the bank. These places focus on hearty, familiar dishes and prices that still feel fair.
Locals know where to find the best plates of barbecue, fried catfish, or meatloaf that taste like tradition on a plate. Many of these spots started as small family businesses and never lost their touch.
In Mississippi, a good meal doesn’t need fancy decor or big prices, just honest cooking and a community that keeps coming back for more.
1. Brent’s Drugs, Jackson
Walking into this place feels like stepping back in time. The soda fountain still works, and the menu hasn’t changed much since your grandparents were young. Locals pile in for malts and burgers that taste exactly like they should.
The counter seats fill up fast during lunch, with regulars claiming their favorite spots. Prices stay low because the owners understand their neighborhood.
You can still get a full meal here without worrying about your wallet, and that matters to people who remember when every drugstore had a lunch counter worth visiting.
2. Big Apple Inn, Jackson
This tiny spot on Farish Street has been serving pig ear sandwiches since 1939. Most visitors do a double take when they read the menu, but locals know exactly what they’re getting.
The sandwiches are simple, cheap, and surprisingly good if you’re willing to try something different. The building looks like it might blow over in a strong wind, but it’s tougher than it appears.
Generations of Jackson families have made this a regular stop. The atmosphere is no frills, just good food served fast and affordable.
3. Bully’s Restaurant, Jackson
Soul food done right doesn’t need fancy presentation. Bully’s proves that with every plate they serve. The buffet line moves steady, filled with people who’ve been coming here for years.
Greens, cornbread, fried chicken, and all the sides you grew up eating are here. Portions are generous, and the prices haven’t climbed to match the fancier places downtown.
Everyone from construction workers to office staff eats here, and nobody complains about the bill. It’s comfort food that actually comforts, served by people who care about feeding their community well.
4. Keifer’s Restaurant, Jackson
Greek families ran diners all across the South, and Keifer’s is one of the survivors. The menu mixes Southern staples with Greek classics, which sounds odd but works perfectly.
Locals have their orders memorized, and the staff often knows what you want before you sit down. Breakfast here is legendary, with eggs cooked exactly how you ask.
The coffee stays hot, and refills come without you having to flag anyone down. Prices remain stuck somewhere in the past, which everyone appreciates when the check arrives.
5. Borroum’s Drug Store & Soda Fountain, Corinth
Operating since 1865 makes this one of the oldest drugstores in the South still serving food. The wooden fixtures and tin ceiling haven’t been replaced because they don’t need replacing.
People come for milkshakes made the old way, thick enough to require a spoon. The lunch menu is straightforward, with sandwiches and soups that won’t surprise you but will satisfy.
Tourists stumble in sometimes, but mostly it’s Corinth residents who’ve been coming since childhood. The prices feel like a time machine, reminding you when eating out didn’t require a second mortgage.
6. White Trolley Cafe, Corinth
Home cooking served in a cafe that looks exactly like what you’d expect in a small Mississippi town. The daily specials board tells you everything you need to know. Meat and three vegetables, served hot and plentiful.
Regulars occupy the same tables every day, reading newspapers and talking local politics. The waitresses remember how you take your tea and whether you want cornbread or rolls.
Nothing costs much, and nobody rushes you out the door. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why small towns matter to the people who live in them.
7. Phillips Grocery, Oxford
Don’t let the name fool you. This place serves burgers, not groceries anymore. The building sags a little, and the floor creaks, but the burgers are perfect.
Locals will fight you if you suggest anywhere else makes them better. Students from Ole Miss mix with townspeople who’ve been eating here for decades.
The atmosphere is pure Mississippi, with photos covering the walls and conversation filling the air. You can eat well here for less than a fancy coffee costs elsewhere. That’s why the line forms early and stays long.
8. Velvet Cream The Dip, Hernando
Summer in Mississippi requires ice cream, and this stand has been providing it since 1947. The soft serve comes out perfect every time, thick and cold and exactly what you need when the heat gets unbearable.
Families pull up in cars, just like their grandparents did. The menu stays simple because simple works. Cones, shakes, and sundaes at prices that seem impossible in modern times.
Kids press their faces against the window, deciding between chocolate and vanilla. It’s a tradition that keeps rolling on, one scoop at a time.
9. Ward’s, Hattiesburg
Burgers and fries done without any fuss or fancy additions. Ward’s keeps it straightforward, and that’s exactly what people want. The patties are hand-formed, the buns are soft, and the fries are crispy.
Nothing complicated, nothing overpriced. Hattiesburg families have been bringing their kids here for generations. The booths are worn smooth from years of use, and the menu board hasn’t needed updating because nobody wants changes.
You order at the counter, grab your number, and wait for your name to be called. Simple systems work best when the food delivers every single time.
10. Abe’s Bar-B-Q, Clarksdale
Barbecue in the Delta has its own rules, and Abe’s follows them perfectly. The meat is smoked slow over hickory, and the sauce has a vinegar tang that cuts through the richness.
People drive from Memphis just to eat here, but locals know to come early before it sells out. The building sits right in the heart of blues country, which feels appropriate for food this soulful.
Portions are generous, prices are fair, and nobody leaves hungry. It’s the kind of barbecue that makes you understand why Mississippians get defensive about their food.
11. The Tomato Place, Vicksburg
Fresh vegetables drive the menu here, with tomatoes taking center stage when they’re in season. The sandwiches pile high with local produce, and the salads actually taste like something worth eating.
Locals appreciate the freshness and the fact that eating healthy doesn’t cost extra. The atmosphere is bright and casual, with mismatched chairs and tables that give it personality.
Families come for lunch, and everyone leaves feeling good about what they ate. The prices stay reasonable because the owners source locally and keep things simple. Good food doesn’t need to be expensive, just honest.