Just like you can’t judge a book by its cover, you can’t judge a restaurant by its outward appearance. Some of the best food in the state can be found in eateries that are considered dives or holes-in-the-wall. So just to make sure you don’t make the mistake of passing up one of these amazing restaurants, we put together this list of some of our favorites.
- Juju and Crista’s Shrimp Boat Café, Corinth
airlink9972/TripAdvisor
airlink9972/TripAdvisor A Corinth staple for years, this eatery is known for its variety of perfectly fried seafood and other local favorites, like alligator and hushpuppies. Juju and Crista’s is located at 1907 E. Shiloh Road in Corinth.
- Southern Fried Rabbit, Columbia
eadurbin/TripAdvisor
Southern Fried Rabbit/Facebook Aside from rabbit, which is prepared a variety of ways, this local favorite is the place to go for mouthwatering burgers. Southern Fried Rabbit is located at 229 S. High School Avenue in Columbia.
- Leatha’s Bar-B-Que Inn, Hattiesburg
TravT/TripAdvisor
Anthony S./Yelp This barbecue joint has been attracting locals, foodies, and celebrities since 1976, and for good reason. Not only has Leatha’s been the recipient of numerous awards but the nationally renowned restaurant has been featured on several television shows and the subject of the book, “If These Walls Could Talk.” Leatha’s is located at 6374 US-98 in Hattiesburg.
- Nyla’s Burger Basket, Osyka
Greg77777/TripAdvisor
Chris S./Yelp This beloved dive may have gained recognition for being a favorite of Britney Spears, but it’s the delicious burgers, southern-style home cooked meals, and affordable prices that customers can’t stop talking about. Nyla’s Burger Basket is located at 1071 Second Street in Osyka.
- Johnnie’s Bar-B-Q Drive-In, Tupelo
Mia B./Yelp
Rusty P./Yelp Another local and celebrity favorite, Johnnie’s was frequented by Elvis Presley, who couldn’t get enough to the cheeseburgers. After all these years, Johnnie’s is still open and still serving up some of the best burgers and barbecue around. Johnnie’s is located at 908 E. Main Street in Tupelo.
- White Front Café, Rosedale
OmAnCiGa/TripAdvisor
Gordon Y./Yelp This unassuming white wood frame house just so happens to be a legendary hot tamale stop, known for its spicy beef-filled tamales that come wrapped in corn shucks. The White Front Café is located at 902 Main Street in Rosedale.
- Beatty Street Grocery, Jackson
Keepinitlocal/TripAdvisor
visitmississippi.org In business since the 1940s, this iconic eatery, which is a stop on the Mississippi Culinary Trail, is known by locals for its tasty burgers and white bread BLTs. It can get pretty crowded at lunch time, so be prepared for a bit of a wait. Beatty Street Grocery is located at 101 Beatty Street in Jackson.
- The Little Dooey, Starkville
Mark S./Yelp
Little Dooey Management/TripAdvisor Located inside a modest brick building, this Starkville favorite is known for its slow-cooked barbecue and variety of signature sauces and was even featured on the Food Network. The Little Dooey is located at 100 Fellowship Street in Starkville.
- Darwell’s Café, Long Beach
Brian R./Yelp
Val W./Yelp For great food and an atmosphere to match, Darwell’s is the place to go. This hidden gem is a bit off the beaten path but once you try the fresh seafood and smoky barbecue, you’ll quickly realize the trek was worth it. Darwell’s is located at 127 E. First Street in Long Beach.
- Tomato Place, Vicksburg
Penny B./Yelp
Brenda B./Yelp This unassuming roadside stand is known for its home cooked food, real fruit smoothies, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and other made-from-scratch goodies. The Tomato Place is located at 3229 U.S Highway 61 in Vicksburg.
- Cuevas Fish House, Picayune
google.com
Hannah B./Yelp The kind of place you only hear about from locals, this fish house is definitely worth a visit. Aside from all-you-can-eat catfish, you’ll find other fried favorites and a variety of delicious sides, including fries, Cole slaw, and hushpuppies so good, they’ll melt in your mouth. Cuevas Fish House is located at 2508 MS-43 in Picayune.
On or off the list, what’s your favorite dive restaurant in Mississippi?
airlink9972/TripAdvisor
A Corinth staple for years, this eatery is known for its variety of perfectly fried seafood and other local favorites, like alligator and hushpuppies. Juju and Crista’s is located at 1907 E. Shiloh Road in Corinth.
eadurbin/TripAdvisor
Southern Fried Rabbit/Facebook
Aside from rabbit, which is prepared a variety of ways, this local favorite is the place to go for mouthwatering burgers. Southern Fried Rabbit is located at 229 S. High School Avenue in Columbia.
TravT/TripAdvisor
Anthony S./Yelp
This barbecue joint has been attracting locals, foodies, and celebrities since 1976, and for good reason. Not only has Leatha’s been the recipient of numerous awards but the nationally renowned restaurant has been featured on several television shows and the subject of the book, “If These Walls Could Talk.” Leatha’s is located at 6374 US-98 in Hattiesburg.
Greg77777/TripAdvisor
Chris S./Yelp
This beloved dive may have gained recognition for being a favorite of Britney Spears, but it’s the delicious burgers, southern-style home cooked meals, and affordable prices that customers can’t stop talking about. Nyla’s Burger Basket is located at 1071 Second Street in Osyka.
Mia B./Yelp
Rusty P./Yelp
Another local and celebrity favorite, Johnnie’s was frequented by Elvis Presley, who couldn’t get enough to the cheeseburgers. After all these years, Johnnie’s is still open and still serving up some of the best burgers and barbecue around. Johnnie’s is located at 908 E. Main Street in Tupelo.
OmAnCiGa/TripAdvisor
Gordon Y./Yelp
This unassuming white wood frame house just so happens to be a legendary hot tamale stop, known for its spicy beef-filled tamales that come wrapped in corn shucks. The White Front Café is located at 902 Main Street in Rosedale.
Keepinitlocal/TripAdvisor
visitmississippi.org
In business since the 1940s, this iconic eatery, which is a stop on the Mississippi Culinary Trail, is known by locals for its tasty burgers and white bread BLTs. It can get pretty crowded at lunch time, so be prepared for a bit of a wait. Beatty Street Grocery is located at 101 Beatty Street in Jackson.
Mark S./Yelp
Little Dooey Management/TripAdvisor
Located inside a modest brick building, this Starkville favorite is known for its slow-cooked barbecue and variety of signature sauces and was even featured on the Food Network. The Little Dooey is located at 100 Fellowship Street in Starkville.
Brian R./Yelp
Val W./Yelp
For great food and an atmosphere to match, Darwell’s is the place to go. This hidden gem is a bit off the beaten path but once you try the fresh seafood and smoky barbecue, you’ll quickly realize the trek was worth it. Darwell’s is located at 127 E. First Street in Long Beach.
Penny B./Yelp
Brenda B./Yelp
This unassuming roadside stand is known for its home cooked food, real fruit smoothies, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and other made-from-scratch goodies. The Tomato Place is located at 3229 U.S Highway 61 in Vicksburg.
google.com
Hannah B./Yelp
The kind of place you only hear about from locals, this fish house is definitely worth a visit. Aside from all-you-can-eat catfish, you’ll find other fried favorites and a variety of delicious sides, including fries, Cole slaw, and hushpuppies so good, they’ll melt in your mouth. Cuevas Fish House is located at 2508 MS-43 in Picayune.
Looking for more must-visit restaurants around the state? Check out “10 Neighborhood Restaurants In Mississippi With Food So Good You’ll Be Back For Seconds.”
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