12 Hidden Fried Chicken Joints in Mississippi That Locals Say Fry It Best
Mississippi knows how to fry chicken right, and the best spots aren’t always the ones with the flashy signs.
Hidden across the state are little joints where locals have been getting their crispy fix for decades, places where the recipes are secret and the flavor is unmatched.
These aren’t your chain restaurants, they’re the real deal, serving up golden, juicy chicken that’ll make you want to come back every single week.
1. The Old Country Store (Mr. D’s)
Lorman is barely a dot on the map, but folks drive from all over just to taste what this place has been serving for decades. The Old Country Store, known to regulars as Mr. D’s, sits in a weathered building that looks like it could tell a thousand stories.
What makes their fried chicken legendary? It’s all about the seasoning blend that’s been passed down through generations, creating a crust so flavorful you’ll be licking your fingers before you even realize it. The chicken comes out hot, crispy, and ridiculously juicy every single time.
Don’t expect fancy dining—this is country cooking at its finest, served family-style with all the fixings.
2. Faye’s Kitchen
Walking into Faye’s feels like stepping into your grandmother’s house on Sunday afternoon. This cozy spot in Moss Point, Mississippi has been a local secret for years, where the owner treats every customer like family and the chicken tastes like home.
The magic happens in a tiny kitchen where Faye herself oversees every batch, making sure each piece gets the perfect golden-brown finish. Her special touch includes a buttermilk marinade that makes the meat so tender it practically falls off the bone, while the coating stays wonderfully crunchy.
Regulars swear by the wings, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with any cut here.
3. Walnut Hills Restaurant
Round tables are the signature at this Vicksburg institution, where strangers become friends over platters of incredible food. Since 1946, Walnut Hills has been serving up Southern hospitality alongside some of the crispiest fried chicken you’ll ever taste.
The family-style service means dishes keep coming until you wave the white flag of surrender. Their chicken features a peppery kick that sneaks up on you, balanced perfectly with a hint of sweetness in the breading.
Fair warning: come hungry, because you’ll want to try everything on those lazy Susan tables. The chicken is the star, but the sides deserve standing ovations too.
4. Cajun’s Fabulous Fried Chicken
Despite what the name might suggest, this isn’t your typical Louisiana-style joint—it’s a Mississippi original with a spicy personality. Located in Gulfport, Cajun’s brings serious heat to the fried chicken game without overwhelming the actual chicken flavor.
Their secret weapon is a spice blend that tingles your taste buds just right, creating that addictive quality that keeps people coming back weekly. The chicken stays moist inside while achieving that satisfying crunch outside, and they nail the cooking time every single batch.
First-timers should know: the mild is still pretty spicy, so pace yourself if you’re not a heat seeker.
5. Connie’s Chicken
Blink and you might miss this tiny takeout spot in Greenwood, but local residents would riot if it ever closed. Connie’s has been frying up perfection for decades, operating out of a building so small you wonder how they produce so much delicious food.
The chicken here is no-nonsense Southern style, crispy, salty, and grease-free despite being fried. Locals praise the restaurant’s consistently crispy coating, though details like a “double-dredge technique” aren’t confirmed by the owners.
There’s usually a line, especially during lunch rush, but it moves fast. Grab extra napkins because things get messy in the best possible way when you’re tearing into this bird.
6. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Sure, Gus’s has expanded beyond Mississippi, but the original magic still happens at the Southaven location, serving the same Memphis-born recipe that made them famous back in 1953.
What sets Gus’s apart is the cayenne-heavy coating that delivers heat without being obnoxious about it. The chicken marinates for hours before hitting the fryer, resulting in meat that’s seasoned all the way through, not just on the surface.
Pro tip: order the hot version only if you really mean it. Their “hot” isn’t playing around, and you’ll need plenty of sweet tea to cool down afterward.
7. Famous Fried Chicken
Sometimes the best marketing is just being honest, and this Crystal Springs joint lives up to its straightforward name. Famous Fried Chicken doesn’t pretend to be anything other than exactly what it promises, seriously good fried chicken made fresh daily.
The owners use peanut oil for frying, which gives the chicken a slightly nutty flavor and helps achieve that extra-crispy texture. Each piece comes out golden and glistening, with meat so juicy you’ll swear they injected it with something magical.
College students from nearby Southern Miss have made this place a campus tradition. Get there early on weekends before they sell out of the good cuts.
8. Krispy Krunchy Chicken
Yes, it’s technically a gas station chain, but hear us out—Mississippi locations of Krispy Krunchy serve chicken that rivals dedicated restaurants. Found in convenience stores across the state, these counters pump out Cajun-spiced chicken that’s become cult-favorite status among locals.
The batter contains actual Cajun seasonings mixed right in, creating layers of flavor that develop as you chew. Unlike some gas station food that sits under heat lamps forever, busy locations turn over inventory so fast you’re practically guaranteed fresh chicken.
The honey butter biscuits deserve their own fan club. Grab a few pieces for the road—it tastes just as good cold later.
9. Movie Star Restaurant
Located in Hattiesburg, this unassuming restaurant may not look like much from the outside, but step inside and you’ll find chicken worth writing home about. The Movie Star Restaurant earned its quirky name from old Hollywood posters covering the walls, though the real star is what comes out of that kitchen.Their chicken features a lighter, almost tempura-like coating that shatters when you bite into it. The seasoning leans more subtle than some places, letting the quality of the actual chicken shine through instead of hiding behind heavy spices.
Locals love the lunch special, which packs a ridiculous amount of food for the price. Come with an appetite and low expectations for the decor.
10. King Chicken Fillin’ Station
Another gas station entry, but King Chicken deserves its own spotlight for being a Mississippi original based in Belden near Tupelo. Multiple locations across the area serve chicken that locals plan road trips around, making it more destination than convenience stop.
The breading here is thick and craggy, creating lots of crispy surface area that holds onto the peppery seasoning blend. They cook it slightly longer than most places, resulting in darker, crunchier coating without drying out the meat underneath.
The gizzards are legendary if you’re feeling adventurous. Fair warning: portions are huge, so don’t over-order unless you want leftovers for days.
11. The Dinner Bell
McComb’s Dinner Bell operates on a simple philosophy: cook it like Sunday dinner, serve it family-style, and watch people come back for more. This beloved restaurant has been feeding hungry Mississippians since 1894, making it older than most people’s great-grandparents.
The fried chicken arrives on big platters alongside bowls of vegetables, cornbread, and everything else that makes Southern cooking special. Their version features a classic buttermilk batter with just salt, pepper, and a little paprika—proof that simple done right beats fancy every time.
Reservations are required because everyone wants a seat at these tables. Call ahead or risk disappointment.
12. Bully’s Restaurant
Jackson locals know that when the craving hits, Bully’s delivers every single time. This longtime favorite combines soul food traditions with consistent quality, earning a reputation as the place you take out-of-town guests when you want to show off Mississippi cooking.
Their chicken gets a double-dip treatment that creates extra-thick coating with serious crunch factor. The seasoning blend includes a hint of garlic powder that most places skip, adding unexpected depth to every bite.
Located on Livingston Road in Jackson, Bully’s has earned multiple James Beard Awards for its authentic Southern fare, making it one of Mississippi’s true culinary landmarks.