One of the best things about living in Mississippi is, without a doubt, the mouthwatering food. Fortunately for us, there are great restaurants all over the state, serving everything from fried seafood to smoky barbecue. Unfortunately, many of these amazing restaurants are tucked away in remote locations, and oftentimes, their only method of advertising is word-of-mouth. Since we’d hate for you to miss out on these hidden gems, we put together 11 of the best secret restaurants in Mississippi that are well worth finding. Take a look:
- Stark’s Family Restaurant (28082 Highway 28, Hazelhurst)
Stark’s Family Restaurant/Facebook
Stark’s Family Restaurant/Facebook Located in the small town of Hazelhurst, Stark’s has been opened since 1984. Throughout the years, the restaurant has become known for its home cooked lunch specials, which consist of a meat, two sides, rice and gravy, cornbread, and tea. Aside from the hearty portions, it’s the low prices customers can’t stop talking about – a lunch special will only cost you $8!
- Jake and Rip’s (1525 Sunset Drive, Grenada)
Ashley W./Yelp
Joe W./Yelp Featuring a rustic atmosphere, complete with wood paneling and taxidermy for décor, you’ll feel right at home when you visit this local watering hole. And once you look over the menu filled with smoky barbecue, steaks, and seafood, you’ll be even more pleased.
- Jim’s Café (314 Washington Avenue, Greenville)
Amanda S./Yelp
Nolen G./Yelp Ask any Greenville local where to get a great breakfast and they’re bound to mention Jim’s Café. Exactly the kind of place you’d expect to find in the Mississippi Delta, the café serves up a mean breakfast, complete with southern classics, like fresh baked biscuits and homemade jelly.
- Lakeview Catfish Restaurant (9701 US-90, Moss Point)
Lakeview Catfish Restaurant/Facebook
brains06/TripAdvisor Despite its remote location, the parking lot at Lakeview Catfish is always packed…and that says a lot. Aside from a standard fish house fare, the Moss Point eatery also serves southern classics, including hamburger steak and barbecue. Be sure to save room for dessert; the peach cobbler is one of the restaurant’s most popular.
- Jim Neely’s Interstate Barbecue (150 Stateline Road W., Southaven)
Anthony M./Yelp
Andy N./Yelp Looking for plentiful portions of mouthwatering barbecue? Then you’ll definitely want to pay a visit to Jim Neely’s Interstate Barbecue. Not only a local favorite, the Southaven eatery has won several awards and honors for its barbecue and has even been featured in renowned publications, including People, Vogue, and USA Today.
- Chatterbox Restaurant (3443 Red Banks Road S., Byhalia)
Chatterbox Restaurant/Facebook
Chatterbox Restaurant/Facebook This family-owned restaurant has been serving up what many have called “the best catfish in Mississippi” for years now. And at the small town fish house, the quality is outmatched only by the extremely generous portions, which definitely make it hard to save room for the amazing homemade desserts you’ll undoubtedly be tempted with.
- Huck’s Cove (3000 Oak Street, Gautier)
Hucks Cove Grill on the Bayou/Facebook
Hucks Cove Grill on the Bayou/Facebook Located right on the bayou, it doesn’t get much more secluded than this Gautier gem. The Caribbean-themed eatery, which can be reached by car or boat, offers both indoor and outdoor seating and features a menu filled with fried seafood, steaks, burgers, and more. Visit on the weekend, and you’ll be treated to live music.
- E & L Barbeque (1111 Bailey Avenue, Jackson)
E & L Barbeque/Facebook
Janette G./Yelp If it’s “frills” you’re after, you won’t find them at this Jackson gem, but if it’s delicious barbeque you’re craving, this is definitely the place for you. Located on Bailey Avenue, the eatery’s premium smoked ribs, tips, and hot links have been a local favorite for nearly 30 years, and after one bit, you’ll quickly understand why.
- Martha’s Menu Restaurant (302 Taylor Street, Corinth)
Tina H./Yelp
Don A./Yelp Please note, Martha’s Menu Restaurant has permanently closed down. A quintessential small town café, Martha’s Menu features an authentic southern fare, serving up classics like fried chicken, all sorts of vegetables, corn bread, and plenty of sweet tea to wash it all down with.
- Southern Seafood Company (1005 E. Hardy Street, Hattiesburg)
Jaded-Bird/TripAdvisor
Erin H./TripAdvisor Southern Seafood Company may be located on one of the busiest streets in Hattiesburg, yet many are completely unaware of its existence – and we just can’t let that happen. Aside from serving up what has been called some of the “best seafood between the Gulf Coast and New Orleans,” the Hattiesburg eatery has received rave reviews, making it worthy of at least one visit (which will most likely turn into two, then three; well, you get the point).
- The Lunch Box (210 Highway 90 Ste. A, Waveland)
Dave L./Yelp
The Lunch Box/Facebook Tucked away in the small town of Waveland, the Lunch Box has gained a reputation among locals for serving some of the best po’ boys on the Gulf Coast. But that’s not all you’ll find at the eatery; the fare also includes muffulettas and daily specials made up of home cooked dishes, like red beans and rice, fried chicken, and jambalaya.
What hidden Mississippi eatery would you add to this list?
Stark’s Family Restaurant/Facebook
Located in the small town of Hazelhurst, Stark’s has been opened since 1984. Throughout the years, the restaurant has become known for its home cooked lunch specials, which consist of a meat, two sides, rice and gravy, cornbread, and tea. Aside from the hearty portions, it’s the low prices customers can’t stop talking about – a lunch special will only cost you $8!
Ashley W./Yelp
Joe W./Yelp
Featuring a rustic atmosphere, complete with wood paneling and taxidermy for décor, you’ll feel right at home when you visit this local watering hole. And once you look over the menu filled with smoky barbecue, steaks, and seafood, you’ll be even more pleased.
Amanda S./Yelp
Nolen G./Yelp
Ask any Greenville local where to get a great breakfast and they’re bound to mention Jim’s Café. Exactly the kind of place you’d expect to find in the Mississippi Delta, the café serves up a mean breakfast, complete with southern classics, like fresh baked biscuits and homemade jelly.
Lakeview Catfish Restaurant/Facebook
brains06/TripAdvisor
Despite its remote location, the parking lot at Lakeview Catfish is always packed…and that says a lot. Aside from a standard fish house fare, the Moss Point eatery also serves southern classics, including hamburger steak and barbecue. Be sure to save room for dessert; the peach cobbler is one of the restaurant’s most popular.
Anthony M./Yelp
Andy N./Yelp
Looking for plentiful portions of mouthwatering barbecue? Then you’ll definitely want to pay a visit to Jim Neely’s Interstate Barbecue. Not only a local favorite, the Southaven eatery has won several awards and honors for its barbecue and has even been featured in renowned publications, including People, Vogue, and USA Today.
Chatterbox Restaurant/Facebook
This family-owned restaurant has been serving up what many have called “the best catfish in Mississippi” for years now. And at the small town fish house, the quality is outmatched only by the extremely generous portions, which definitely make it hard to save room for the amazing homemade desserts you’ll undoubtedly be tempted with.
Hucks Cove Grill on the Bayou/Facebook
Located right on the bayou, it doesn’t get much more secluded than this Gautier gem. The Caribbean-themed eatery, which can be reached by car or boat, offers both indoor and outdoor seating and features a menu filled with fried seafood, steaks, burgers, and more. Visit on the weekend, and you’ll be treated to live music.
E & L Barbeque/Facebook
Janette G./Yelp
If it’s “frills” you’re after, you won’t find them at this Jackson gem, but if it’s delicious barbeque you’re craving, this is definitely the place for you. Located on Bailey Avenue, the eatery’s premium smoked ribs, tips, and hot links have been a local favorite for nearly 30 years, and after one bit, you’ll quickly understand why.
Tina H./Yelp
Don A./Yelp
Please note, Martha’s Menu Restaurant has permanently closed down. A quintessential small town café, Martha’s Menu features an authentic southern fare, serving up classics like fried chicken, all sorts of vegetables, corn bread, and plenty of sweet tea to wash it all down with.
Jaded-Bird/TripAdvisor
Erin H./TripAdvisor
Southern Seafood Company may be located on one of the busiest streets in Hattiesburg, yet many are completely unaware of its existence – and we just can’t let that happen. Aside from serving up what has been called some of the “best seafood between the Gulf Coast and New Orleans,” the Hattiesburg eatery has received rave reviews, making it worthy of at least one visit (which will most likely turn into two, then three; well, you get the point).
Dave L./Yelp
The Lunch Box/Facebook
Tucked away in the small town of Waveland, the Lunch Box has gained a reputation among locals for serving some of the best po’ boys on the Gulf Coast. But that’s not all you’ll find at the eatery; the fare also includes muffulettas and daily specials made up of home cooked dishes, like red beans and rice, fried chicken, and jambalaya.
Looking for more secret restaurants in the state? Check out “10 Amazing Hidden Mississippi Restaurants And Where To Find Them.“
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