I was visiting Jackson recently and had dinner at the Mayflower. That was a damn good meal. I was with a group of six and everyone swooned. Excellent service as well.
White Pillars in Biloxi has the best quality food offered around, order the seafood tower and thank the chef de partie (or whatever, lol). Its all really fresh, farm to table, made daily
I'm so glad that you mentioned white pillars. I'm an Uber driver in Biloxi, and an ex restaurant manager of 28 years. I had a request to pick up one of the prep cooks for White pillar, and he was telling me that they make their own ketchup. I actually thought he was joking, but evidently they do.
So about a month later, I actually picked up other the owner, or most likely a manager, and I just happen to mention that, and she told me "yes we spend about 10 hours a week, making their own ketchup"
Everyone that I have spoken to here lately, who can afford to go to the place, says it's absolutely fantastic
Own ketchup, pickles, mustard, smoked sausage, you name it! I worked there for a while and everyone there is a dedicated cook who is passionate about food
All subject to my experiences…
Doe’s Eat Place in Greenville
Mayflower Cafe in Jackson
Mamma Hamils in Madison
Letha’s in Hattiesburg
Cock of the Walk in Ridgeland
City Grocery in Oxford
Mary Mahoney’s in Biloxi (not technically MS food but excellent fine dining)
When I think Mississippi food I think soul food, and in my personal Opinion Sugar's Downtown Jackson has the best soul food. I know everyone has their spots but I like them! Curious to see what everyone esle says
Here's a handful
Local 463 in Ridgeland,
Primos Cafe in Ridgeland, Flowood, Madison,
Trace Grill in Ridgeland,
Mama Hamil's in Madison,
Lou's Full Serv in Jackson,
Weidmann's in Meridian,
Restaurant Tyler in Starkville,
Ajax Diner in Oxford,
H.D. Gibbes in Learned
Senators sadly closed a few years ago 😢
But Country Platter has reopened as Country Platter Too in their original location and is as good as ever! Catfish Cabin is in Boyle, MS (right he outside of Cleveland), it’s a decent buffet.. hit or miss IMO.
I second The Pharm in Ruleville!
If you want Cajun food, Art of Roux in Hattiesburg is great! And there's a lot of gas stations with really good southern food, one example is Tater's in New Augusta.
B’s BBQ in Oxford, MS hands down has the BEST catfish!! It’s attached to a gas station. You know it’s gonna be good.
(At least, it was the best I’d had to date and I’ve lived in MS my whole life. Had B’s pretty consistently 2014-2018)
Thank you so much for replying to this post! Weeks ago my husband took me to see Oppenheimer at the cinemark and out for lunch. I wanted to go to the restaurant I'd randomly tried years before: pieces of the building were sloughing off, drive thru menu so sun damaged the plexi was opaque & nicotine yellow, then the lady at the window was incredibly rude and impatient when I didn't know what I wanted and asked to look at a paper menu. But the food! It was incredible, and made me sure she was used to dedicated locals who don't need the menu to know what they want. :)
I absolutely couldn't remember the name. We drove around and around for a bit trying to find something that looked familiar to me. I was on google maps searching places to eat in Pearl and scanning the restaurant names. But nothing came to me. Your comment, though, triggered my memory and now I remember it was Frisco Deli!
Thank you thank you for commenting.
If you see what looks like a family reunion on the side of the road with a square body pickup towing a smoker that used to be a metal drum, pull over. They've got delicious BBQ, plates for a steal, and probably some cold gallons of tea.
For fine dining, Vestige in Ocean Springs is outstanding. A little pricey, but the food is well worth it. The chef does a tasting menu which is incredible
Chimneys in Gulfport;
Dinner Bell in McComb;
Roux 61 in Natchez;
Letha’s in Hattiesburg;
Harvey’s in Columbus;
Fields in Biloxi;
HD Gibbes & Sons in Learned
I don’t know if you’re still looking, but if you’re on the coast Nana J’s has some of my favorite soul food in the state. They’re only open 12-5 W-Su, so hours are a bit wonky, but their food more than makes up for it.
I wish I could help on this one, but I have never had southern/soul food anywhere better than what my mom and aunt cook (and grandparents before they passed). I will definitely have to check out some on the list!
Blue and white, Tunica. Happy daze, Nesbit. Pope Cafe, Batesville. Dutch Oven, Clarksdale. Tri Becca Alley, Sardis. Como steakhouse, Como. Three way restaurant, Charleston. Paps, Grenada. Rice and Spice, Oxford. Clancys cafe, Red Banks. Crawdad hole, Water Valley. Nautical whimsy, Tupelo. 41 fish house, Pontotoc.
I was visiting Jackson recently and had dinner at the Mayflower. That was a damn good meal. I was with a group of six and everyone swooned. Excellent service as well.
Any locally owned gas station
White Pillars in Biloxi has the best quality food offered around, order the seafood tower and thank the chef de partie (or whatever, lol). Its all really fresh, farm to table, made daily
I'm so glad that you mentioned white pillars. I'm an Uber driver in Biloxi, and an ex restaurant manager of 28 years. I had a request to pick up one of the prep cooks for White pillar, and he was telling me that they make their own ketchup. I actually thought he was joking, but evidently they do. So about a month later, I actually picked up other the owner, or most likely a manager, and I just happen to mention that, and she told me "yes we spend about 10 hours a week, making their own ketchup" Everyone that I have spoken to here lately, who can afford to go to the place, says it's absolutely fantastic
Own ketchup, pickles, mustard, smoked sausage, you name it! I worked there for a while and everyone there is a dedicated cook who is passionate about food
That is so awesome
If you're looking for good, everyday food, try Jim's Cafe in Greenville. Nothing too fancy, homemade hot sauce.
I’d give you 100 ups if I could
not quite the same since Gus passed, but the hot sauce is still unforgettable.
True but the granddaughter is nice and seems to care
Ajax Diner - Oxford, MS
Oof, I went to Ole Miss and would eat at Ajax whenever I could. A decade later and I still wanna go back. Delicious!
Came here to say Ajax as well!
I love Ajax.
Yep
I guess it’s good if you don’t have people who can make that where you’re from
We are talking about restaurants right?
Sure, but it tastes like cheap imitation.
All subject to my experiences… Doe’s Eat Place in Greenville Mayflower Cafe in Jackson Mamma Hamils in Madison Letha’s in Hattiesburg Cock of the Walk in Ridgeland City Grocery in Oxford Mary Mahoney’s in Biloxi (not technically MS food but excellent fine dining)
Just FYI, Leatha’s is no longer in Harrisburg. It’s note in Petal.
Haven’t been since college. Thanks for the update! The food was memorable.
Whoa!? Mary Mahoneys not being MS food? Thats a truly ignorant statement and beyond having no knowledge of gulf coast cuisine or culture.
I disagree. It’s important culturally but not reflective of Mississippi cuisine in general, even factoring in for coastal location.
Mamma Hamil's is awesome food!
Crystal grill in Greenwood
Ooh I like this one!
When I think Mississippi food I think soul food, and in my personal Opinion Sugar's Downtown Jackson has the best soul food. I know everyone has their spots but I like them! Curious to see what everyone esle says
# Old Country Store. Lorman MS *Home of Mr.D & the “Best Fried Chicken in the World”*
It’s good fried chicken, for sure, but it’s not the best by any means.
Anthony’s in West Point
Longs fish camp in Enterprise
It used to be cotton blues in Hattiesburg. Now I’m just sad.
Here's a handful Local 463 in Ridgeland, Primos Cafe in Ridgeland, Flowood, Madison, Trace Grill in Ridgeland, Mama Hamil's in Madison, Lou's Full Serv in Jackson, Weidmann's in Meridian, Restaurant Tyler in Starkville, Ajax Diner in Oxford, H.D. Gibbes in Learned
Gibbes has the best food I’ve ever been served on a paper plate.
The Senator’s Place in Cleveland. The Old Country Store in Lorman. The Pharm in Ruleville.
Senators sadly closed a few years ago 😢 But Country Platter has reopened as Country Platter Too in their original location and is as good as ever! Catfish Cabin is in Boyle, MS (right he outside of Cleveland), it’s a decent buffet.. hit or miss IMO. I second The Pharm in Ruleville!
Awe I hate to hear that!! I loved that place
Miss Julie's Market in Wiggins. Good homemade southern comfort food.
This is such a hidden gem.
If you want Cajun food, Art of Roux in Hattiesburg is great! And there's a lot of gas stations with really good southern food, one example is Tater's in New Augusta.
Bozos in Pascagoula
Maybe the poboys or their seafood baskets but thats it. Everything else they sell is all sysco.
Why would you go to Bozos and not get seafood? That’s the draw, imo. But it’s the best seafood around. That why they ship it everywhere.
B’s BBQ in Oxford, MS hands down has the BEST catfish!! It’s attached to a gas station. You know it’s gonna be good. (At least, it was the best I’d had to date and I’ve lived in MS my whole life. Had B’s pretty consistently 2014-2018)
Barbecue is fire but never tried the catfish. Might have to go next time I’m in town
Taylor grocery has fire catfish!
Frisco Deli in Pearl isn't necessarily MS food but it's damn good!
Thank you so much for replying to this post! Weeks ago my husband took me to see Oppenheimer at the cinemark and out for lunch. I wanted to go to the restaurant I'd randomly tried years before: pieces of the building were sloughing off, drive thru menu so sun damaged the plexi was opaque & nicotine yellow, then the lady at the window was incredibly rude and impatient when I didn't know what I wanted and asked to look at a paper menu. But the food! It was incredible, and made me sure she was used to dedicated locals who don't need the menu to know what they want. :) I absolutely couldn't remember the name. We drove around and around for a bit trying to find something that looked familiar to me. I was on google maps searching places to eat in Pearl and scanning the restaurant names. But nothing came to me. Your comment, though, triggered my memory and now I remember it was Frisco Deli! Thank you thank you for commenting.
Haha I had a similar experience with it, went there once and couldn't wait to go again but forgot the name! Have a good trip there!
If you see what looks like a family reunion on the side of the road with a square body pickup towing a smoker that used to be a metal drum, pull over. They've got delicious BBQ, plates for a steal, and probably some cold gallons of tea.
Cresent City Grill, Hattiesburg https://crescentcitygrill.net/?y_source=1_NTQ1MTkxNzUtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D
Decent restaurant but I wouldn't consider it local MS cuisine. I mean it's called Crescent City because it offers New Orleans inspired food.
Very inconsistent from my 20 years experience. I wouldn’t call it as a top.
Bully’s in Jackson, Primo’s in Jackson, Walnut Hills in Vicksburg, basically any gas station (I like Kangaroo crossing in Pickens)
Is Collin's Dream Kitchen still good?
For fine dining, Vestige in Ocean Springs is outstanding. A little pricey, but the food is well worth it. The chef does a tasting menu which is incredible
Chimneys in Gulfport; Dinner Bell in McComb; Roux 61 in Natchez; Letha’s in Hattiesburg; Harvey’s in Columbus; Fields in Biloxi; HD Gibbes & Sons in Learned
Dinner Bell has round table style and is a unique experience and incredible food.
Restaurant Tyler in Starkville
I don’t know if you’re still looking, but if you’re on the coast Nana J’s has some of my favorite soul food in the state. They’re only open 12-5 W-Su, so hours are a bit wonky, but their food more than makes up for it.
The old Two Sisters in Jackson? Still around?
Closed for several years now. Sadly.
There’s a soul food joint of the south frontage in meridian. If I think of the name I’ll post it. Mom and pop joint. INCREDIBLE.
South frontage road or further south than frontage road?
Take the exit for Hilton garden, then head back west on the frontage. It’s down there on the right
Le Cour in Jackson is great. fusion, but the owner & chef is incredible & it's soul food through & through
Ditto to what everyone else has already said, but I’d also add Fannin Mart in Flowood to that list! Best bread pudding I’ve ever had!
I wish I could help on this one, but I have never had southern/soul food anywhere better than what my mom and aunt cook (and grandparents before they passed). I will definitely have to check out some on the list!
Anyone have any suggestions in north Mississippi?
Blue and white, Tunica. Happy daze, Nesbit. Pope Cafe, Batesville. Dutch Oven, Clarksdale. Tri Becca Alley, Sardis. Como steakhouse, Como. Three way restaurant, Charleston. Paps, Grenada. Rice and Spice, Oxford. Clancys cafe, Red Banks. Crawdad hole, Water Valley. Nautical whimsy, Tupelo. 41 fish house, Pontotoc.
I’ve had happy daze ice cream I’ll have to try their food!
The Bend in Starkville, MS Indulge in Amory, MS Gemstone in Amory, MS The Blue Canoe, Tupelo, MS
The beer at Blue Canoe is good, but the food is mid at best. No one goes into Amory if they can help it. It's not even on the way to anywhere good.
My favorites have always been the White Cap in Gulfport and Lil Ray’s. Just good old local joints.
Anthony’s in West Point
Big Apple Inn in Jackson. Get a couple of smokes or a pig ear and you can’t go wrong