Why Mississippians Swear This Little Sandwich Shop Is The State’s Best Kept Secret
Tucked away in Jackson, Mississippi, there’s a sandwich shop that locals guard like a family recipe.
Big Apple Inn, founded in 1939, has been serving up soul-satisfying bites for decades, earning fierce loyalty from generations of Mississippians.
While tourists flock to trendy spots downtown, those in the know quietly slip into this humble counter joint for flavors you won’t find anywhere else.
A Historic Jackson Hangout
Big Apple Inn sits proudly on North Farish Street, part of Jackson’s historic African American business district and a landmark of the civil rights era.
This neighborhood once buzzed with jazz clubs, theaters, and small businesses that shaped Mississippi’s cultural fabric. Walking through these doors means stepping into a living museum where every sandwich comes with a side of heritage.
Families who marched for justice decades ago now bring their grandkids here for lunch. The walls practically hum with stories of community resilience and triumph. Big Apple Inn isn’t just feeding bellies, it’s preserving a vital piece of Jackson’s soul, one delicious bite at a time.
Sandwiches With Local Flavour
Forget your boring turkey-and-Swiss routine. Big Apple Inn serves its signature pig ear sandwiches, crispy on the edges, tender inside, and topped with slaw and mustard, that’ll make you rethink everything you thought you knew about lunch.
Their famous “smokes” (small smoked sausage sandwiches served on soft buns) disappear faster than manners at a buffet.
Each bite delivers a punch of seasoning that dances on your taste buds. No fancy ingredients or pretentious descriptions needed here, just honest-to-goodness Southern cooking that hits different every single time you order.
Low-Key Charm, High Taste
Don’t expect Instagram-worthy Edison bulbs or reclaimed barn wood at Big Apple Inn. This place rocks linoleum floors, fluorescent lighting, and counter service that keeps things moving. The décor screams “we’re here to feed you, not impress your followers.”
That stripped-down approach is precisely what makes regulars feel at home. Nobody’s judging your outfit or rushing you out the door for the next reservation.
You order at the counter, grab your food, and settle in like you’re visiting your favorite aunt’s kitchen, comfortable, welcoming, and refreshingly real in a world obsessed with polish.
Open When Others Aren’t
Big Apple Inn opens its doors early and typically serves from morning through early evening (around 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday), filling a crucial gap in Jackson’s food scene. While not a late-night spot, it remains a dependable stop for breakfast, lunch, or an early dinner.
Locals know they can count on Big Apple Inn when hunger strikes at inconvenient times. Shift workers grabbing breakfast at dawn and night owls needing a late bite all find refuge here.
That reliability has cemented its reputation as Jackson’s dependable friend, always ready with hot food and a welcoming counter when you need it most.
Budget-Friendly & Big Portions
Your wallet won’t need CPR after eating at Big Apple Inn. Prices stay refreshingly reasonable while portions arrive generous enough to satisfy even the hungriest construction worker.
A pig ear or “smoke” sandwich costs just a few dollars, and two or three will fill you up without emptying your bank account.
Word spreads fast when great food meets fair pricing. College students, families on tight budgets, and anyone tired of overpriced meals flock here for satisfying eats that respect their finances.
You’ll leave stuffed and happy, probably with enough change left over for tomorrow’s lunch, a rare combination that keeps people coming back week after week.
Community Staple & Cultural Anchor
Big Apple Inn belongs to Jackson the way gumbo belongs to Louisiana—essential, irreplaceable, and woven into the community’s identity. Grandparents who ate here as teenagers now watch their great-grandchildren order the same sandwiches they loved decades ago.
Out-of-town visitors lucky enough to get recommendations from locals discover something special here beyond the food. They witness neighbors greeting each other by name, stories being swapped across tables, and connections that can’t be manufactured by corporate marketing.
Big Apple Inn serves as Jackson’s unofficial living room, where culture, history, and hunger intersect beautifully every single day.
Why It’s Still Under-The-Radar
Despite local fame and national media coverage from outlets like Eater and Serious Eats, Big Apple Inn remains Mississippi’s delicious secret because it refuses to play the modern restaurant game.
No social media blitzes, no celebrity chef gimmicks, no franchised locations chasing trends, just consistent, killer sandwiches served the same way for generations. The Farish Street location keeps it off the beaten tourist path, hidden from casual visitors cruising main drags.
Flashy marketing budgets get spent elsewhere while Big Apple Inn lets its food do the talking. That old-school approach means you’ll only find this treasure if someone who truly knows shares the secret, making your first visit feel like joining an exclusive club.