13 Hole-In-The-Wall Mississippi Restaurants That Locals Say You Have To Try
Mississippi is full of restaurants you might miss if you’re just passing through, but locals know exactly where they are. They’re the kind of spots that don’t need big signs or fancy décor to prove anything. You walk in, and it feels comfortable right away.
The cooks probably know most customers by name, and the plates always come out hot and hearty.
Every place has its own story, usually tied to a family or a long-time tradition. If you want to really taste Mississippi, these are the spots worth sitting down for.
1. Doe’s Eat Place, Greenville
This legendary steakhouse started in a family home back in 1941. You walk through the kitchen to get to your table, which feels odd at first but adds to the charm.
The steaks here are massive and cooked exactly how you want them. They serve them on metal plates with hot tamales on the side, a Delta tradition you won’t find everywhere. The atmosphere is casual and unpretentious.
Regulars say the porterhouse is worth every penny. Service is straightforward and honest, just like the food itself.
2. Borroum’s Drug Store & Soda Fountain, Corinth
Step inside and you’re transported back to 1865. This is the oldest drug store soda fountain in Mississippi, still operating with original fixtures and charm.
The milkshakes are thick and made the old-fashioned way. You can order classic sandwiches and burgers while sitting at the vintage counter. The malts taste exactly like they did decades ago.
It’s not just a restaurant, it’s a piece of living history. The wooden floors creak and the atmosphere feels genuine, not staged for tourists.
3. The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint, Ocean Springs
Built from salvaged materials and tin roofing, this place looks like a backyard project that got out of hand. Live music plays while you eat smoked meats under the trees.
The ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender with a smoky flavor that lingers. Their pulled pork is moist and doesn’t need much sauce, though they offer several homemade varieties. Everything is cooked low and slow over real wood.
The atmosphere is relaxed and fun. You might find yourself tapping your feet to the music between bites.
4. Phillips Grocery, Holly Springs
From the outside, it looks like an old country store that time forgot. Inside, you’ll find some of the best burgers in north Mississippi.
The burgers are hand-patted and grilled to perfection with a slight char. They’re served on wax paper with chips on the side, simple but satisfying. The meat is juicy and seasoned just right without being fancy.
The building has character with worn floors and walls covered in old signs. Locals say this place has been making burgers the same way since 1948.
5. Mammy’s Cupboard, Natchez
You can’t miss this place because the building itself is shaped like a giant figure wearing a hoop skirt. The restaurant sits underneath the skirt, which sounds strange but works somehow.
They serve lunch with Southern favorites like chicken salad and pimento cheese sandwiches. The pies are homemade and change based on what’s in season. Everything tastes fresh and made with care.
It’s quirky and unusual, but the food stands on its own merit. People stop for the novelty and return for the cooking.
6. Big Apple Inn, Jackson
Located in the Farish Street district, this tiny spot has been serving soul food since 1939. The menu is simple but everything packs a punch of flavor.
Their pig ear sandwiches are famous throughout the state. If that sounds too adventurous, try their smoked sausage sandwich instead. Both come dressed with mustard, slaw, and hot sauce on a soft bun.
The place is small with limited seating, so expect to stand or take your food to go. Locals have been eating here for generations.
7. Old Country Store, Lorman
This place sits along Highway 61 and has been feeding travelers since 1875. The building looks like it might fall apart, but that’s part of its appeal.
They serve fried chicken that’s crispy and flavorful, served family-style with all the fixings. The sides include black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread that soaks up every bit of flavor. You eat at communal tables with strangers who quickly feel like friends.
It’s authentic country cooking without any pretense. The experience feels genuine and welcoming.
8. Handy Andy, Oxford
This neighborhood grocery store doubles as a lunch spot that college students and locals both love. The deli counter serves made-to-order sandwiches that are surprisingly good.
Their roast beef po’boy is stacked high with tender meat and dressed perfectly. You can grab a sandwich, some chips, and a drink without spending much. Everything is fresh and made while you wait.
The store itself is small and unpretentious. It’s the kind of place where you might run into your neighbor while picking up groceries and lunch.
9. Abe’s Bar-B-Q, Clarksdale
Operating since 1924, this Delta institution knows barbecue inside and out. The brick building sits unassumingly on Highway 61, easy to drive past if you’re not paying attention.
Their pork sandwiches are simple but perfectly executed. The meat is tender with a vinegar-based sauce that cuts through the richness. They also serve hot tamales, another Delta specialty that pairs wonderfully with the barbecue.
The interior is basic with no frills. What matters here is the food, and they’ve perfected it over nearly a century.
10. Taylor Grocery & Restaurant, Taylor
This converted 1889 general store now serves some of the best catfish in Mississippi. The building still looks like an old-time grocery from the outside.
Their fried catfish is light and crispy without being greasy. It comes with hush puppies, slaw, and fries that complete the meal perfectly. The portions are generous and the prices are fair.
You’ll likely wait for a table because word has spread about this place. The atmosphere inside is casual with checkered tablecloths and walls covered in customer signatures.
11. Bully’s Restaurant, Jackson
Opened in 1963, this place knows how to make Southern comfort food right. The building looks plain from outside, but inside you’ll find friendly faces and hearty portions.
Their fried catfish is crispy on the outside and tender inside. The turnip greens taste like someone’s grandmother made them with love. Everything comes with cornbread that’s slightly sweet and perfectly golden.
Breakfast is served all day, which regulars appreciate. The staff treats everyone like family, whether you’re visiting for the first time or hundredth.
12. Blue & White Restaurant, Tunica
This roadside diner has been serving travelers and locals since 1924. The blue and white paint job gives it a clean, classic look that matches the straightforward food inside.
Breakfast is their specialty, with fluffy biscuits and gravy that locals swear by. The eggs are cooked to order and the bacon is crispy. Lunch brings plate lunches with meat and three sides, all homemade.
Service is quick and efficient. The staff remembers regular customers and their usual orders, which says something about the loyalty this place inspires.
13. Bozo’s Grocery & Grill, Pascagoula
What started as a small grocery store now serves some of the coast’s best po’boys. The name might make you smile, but the food is serious business.
Their shrimp po’boy is loaded with Gulf shrimp, fried golden and piled high on fresh bread. The oyster po’boy is equally impressive when they’re in season. Everything is dressed with lettuce, tomato, and mayo unless you say otherwise.
It’s a no-nonsense spot where locals grab lunch. The prices are reasonable and the portions never disappoint.