8 Beloved Mississippi Bites & Where to Eat Them

Biscuits

It’s no shock that biscuits would be on the list.  Natchez, Mississippi has the title of Biscuit Capitol of the World.  Here’s a few places to find these fluffy delights:

Big Bad Breakfast, Oxford

Biscuits & Blues, Natchez

The Biscuit Pit, Grenada

The Biscuit Shop, Starkville

Catfish

Fried, grilled, blackened, in a taco or covered in crawfish sauce – we love our catfish in Mississippi.  Not to mention, we love to raise them and lead the country in catfish production (have since the late 1980s). Whichever way you like them cooked, here’s where to eat them in their home state:

Cock of the Walk, Pocahontas & Ridgeland

Jerry’s Catfish House, Florence

Taylor Grocery, Taylor

The Crown, Indianola

Comeback Sauce

Created in Mississippi

Whether you’re dipping your saltine crackers in it, putting it on a salad or dousing some boiled Gulf shrimp with it – you just can’t go wrong. Cousin to Louisiana’s remoulade, spicy, and full of garlic – this house sauce of Mississippi was born at the Mayflower Café in Jackson where you can still get it.

Crechale’s Café, Jackson

Fan & Johnny’s, Greenwood

Mayflower Café, Jackson

Fried Chicken

Fried chicken in the South is best straight out of the cast iron skillet in Grandma’s kitchen. Mississippi’s restaurants are carrying on that beloved tradition.  And yes, sometimes we like it on top of a hot, buttered waffle with syrup drizzled on top.

The Gathering, Livingston

The Midtowner, Hattiesburg

Old Country Store, Lorman

The Dinner Bell, McComb

Walnut Hills, Vicksburg

Fried Dill Pickles

Created in Mississippi

Born when a customer at The Hollywood Café asked for food but the kitchen was practically bare.  The cook dipped dill pickle slices in catfish batter and tossed them into the deep fryer and the tangy, crunchy snack was born.  (And we eat them dipped in Comeback Sauce)

The Blue Biscuit – Indianola

The Hollywood Café  – Robinsonville

Shaggy’s  – Biloxi, Gulfport, Pass Christian, Ridgeland

Delta Tamales

Created in Mississippi

Once barely known outside of our state, it’s now a tried and true delicacy. Seasoned meat encased in cornmeal and then wrapped in a corn husk and simmered – it’s best served with a side of chili and saltine crackers.

Doe’s Eat Place, Greenville

Hick’s Tamales, Clarksdale

The Crystal Grill, Greenwood

Big Apple Inn, Jackson

Blue Plate

Mississippi is renowned as the Birthplace of the Blues and in the culinary world, we’re also the birthplace of the blue plate lunch. No matter what mom and pop food joint you stop in at in Mississippi, you absolutely can never go wrong with a “meat and three.”

Ajax Diner, Oxford

Aunt B’s, Tupelo

Bully’s Restaurant, Jackson

The Senator’s Place, Cleveland

Po-Boys

Pressed po-boys were created in Mississippi.

The po-boy is quintessential Mississippi Gulf Coast food.  Whether you get shrimp, oyster, crab or even roast beef – you’ll need to get it “dressed” with lettuce and tomato and “pressed” like a Panini. It’s the only way to go.

Bozo’s Seafood Market, Pascagoula

Fayard’s Poboys, Ocean Springs and Biloxi

Fratesi Grocery & Service Station, Leland

Gold Post Sandwich House, Hattiesburg