Nothing beats the comfort of Southern soul food, especially when it’s made with love and tradition. Mississippi is home to some of the most mouthwatering soul food kitchens in the country, where recipes passed down through generations come to life. We’ve rounded up spots across the Magnolia State that serve up plates so good, they might rival your grandmother’s cooking—just keep that opinion to yourself at the next family reunion!
1. Bully’s Soul Food Restaurant in Jackson
Lines form early at this James Beard Award-winning establishment where hefty portions arrive steaming hot on no-frills plates. The smothered oxtails fall right off the bone after simmering for hours in savory gravy that begs to be sopped up with cornbread.
Family-owned since 1982, Bully’s walls tell stories through photos of satisfied customers and local celebrities who’ve made this their regular spot. The mac and cheese has that perfect crusty top layer that soul food aficionados dream about.
Regulars know to save room for the peach cobbler—bubbling with sweet fruit and a buttery crust that somehow stays crisp despite the juicy filling underneath.
2. Aunt B’s Soul Food Restaurant in Tupelo
Hidden in plain sight, Aunt B’s welcomes you with aromas that’ll make your stomach growl before you even sit down. Their fried chicken achieves that mythical balance—shatteringly crisp outside, juicy inside—that keeps locals coming back weekly.
The daily specials rotate through classics like oxtails on Thursdays and smothered pork chops on Wednesdays. Sweet potato casserole here tastes like Thanksgiving no matter the season, topped with a praline crust that should be illegal.
Owner Bernice’s warm presence makes everyone feel like family, often remembering regular customers’ orders before they even open their mouths. Cash only, so come prepared!
3. GrateFull Soul in Hattiesburg
College students and professors alike flock to this downtown gem where the meat-and-three tradition lives gloriously on. The turkey necks are fall-apart tender, swimming in potlikker that could cure whatever ails you.
Housed in a renovated historic building, GrateFull Soul marries atmosphere with authenticity. Their collard greens strike that perfect balance between bitter greens and smoky pot liquor, with just enough heat from pepper sauce available on every table.
Cornbread comes in cast iron skillets, hot enough to warrant a warning from friendly servers who’ve seen too many burned fingers. The banana pudding sells out daily—locals know to request it be set aside when they first order.
4. Big Daddy’s Soul Food To Go in Gulfport
Don’t let the modest exterior fool you—this takeout spot packs massive flavor into every styrofoam container. The oxtail stew sells out by early afternoon, rich with gravy that somehow tastes like it’s been simmering since last week.
Big Daddy himself might be working the counter, offering suggestions to first-timers with the confidence of someone who knows his food will impress. Their yams taste like candy—buttery, cinnamon-spiced, and sweet enough to serve as dessert.
Gulf shrimp make appearances in unexpected places, like the shrimp rice that’s studded with tender seafood and bell peppers. Call ahead for daily specials—Wednesday’s neck bones have a cult following among coastal locals.
5. Bettina’s Soulfood Kitchen in Jackson
Football-sized portions arrive at your table in this no-nonsense eatery where the focus is squarely on the food. Their smothered chicken bathes in onion gravy so good you’ll be tempted to drink it straight.
Open since 1993, Bettina’s remains steadfastly old-school in both decor and cooking methods. The black-eyed peas taste like they’ve been blessed by generations of grandmothers, with chunks of smoked turkey adding depth to every spoonful.
Regulars strategically time their visits to coincide with the occasional appearance of their famous caramel cake—a multi-layered marvel with icing that somehow stays soft instead of crystallizing. A true Jackson institution that refuses to change with the times, thankfully.
6. Nana J’s Soulful Kitchen in Ocean Springs
Seafood meets soul food at this coastal treasure where gumbo comes loaded with local catches. The crab-stuffed catfish has converted even the most dedicated catfish skeptics with its buttery, herb-flecked filling.
Cheerful yellow walls and nautical decor create a sunny backdrop for serious eating. Their greens get a coastal twist with crab boil seasoning in the pot liquor, creating a unique flavor profile you won’t find inland.
Owner Janette learned cooking from her grandmother (the namesake Nana) who insisted that seafood should be fresh enough to “still be dreaming of the water.” The bread pudding features local pecans and a bourbon sauce that somehow manages to be both delicate and decadent.
7. Maxine’s Old Country Kitchen in Jackson
Sunday after church, the line stretches out the door at this institution where patience is rewarded with plates that could feed a family of four. Their smothered pork chops achieve that mythical texture—fork tender but not mushy—in a gravy worth bottling.
Maxine herself still oversees the kitchen on busy days, ensuring standards haven’t slipped since opening in 1985. The mustard greens maintain a pleasant bitterness that stands up to the rich meats, with pot liquor you’ll want to sip like soup.
Cash only and closed Mondays, this spot operates by its own rules. The sweet potato pie features a secret blend of spices that’s prompted marriage proposals to the baker (all declined so far).
8. Mississippi’s Finest in Port Gibson
Rural charm meets culinary excellence at this roadside spot where travelers often stop once and become lifetime regulars. Their fried chicken livers come perfectly crisp outside and pink inside, served with a hot sauce that builds heat without overwhelming.
Housed in a former gas station, the humble surroundings belie the sophisticated flavors. Okra here isn’t slimy—it’s stewed with tomatoes and onions until it reaches a texture that converts even the most dedicated okra-haters.
Weekend specials often feature wild game donated by local hunters, transformed into sophisticated dishes that honor Mississippi’s hunting traditions. The chess pie recipe reportedly came from the owner’s great-grandmother who refused to write it down, making her teach it by feel.
9. Wilson BBQ & Soulfood Express LLC in McComb
Smoke signals rise from this family-owned spot where barbecue and soul food create a perfect marriage on your plate. The fall-off-the-bone ribs get a four-hour smoke bath before being finished with a sauce that balances sweet, tangy, and spicy notes.
Started as a food truck before graduating to brick-and-mortar, Wilson’s maintains its hustle mentality. Their baked beans contain chunks of brisket ends, creating little treasure bites throughout the sweet and smoky side dish.
Mr. Wilson himself might deliver your food, asking newcomers where they’re from and regulars about their families. The peach cobbler comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into the hot filling—worth the trip alone.
10. Faye’s Kitchen in Moss Point
Gulf influence shines at this coastal gem where seafood gumbo comes loaded with shrimp so fresh they practically snap between your teeth. The crab cakes contain more crab than binding, held together seemingly by willpower and Faye’s cooking magic.
Weathering multiple hurricanes, this resilient spot has become a community anchor. Their greens get simmered with turkey necks and a splash of apple cider vinegar that cuts through richness and brightens every bite.
The banana pudding arrives warm with vanilla wafers that maintain structural integrity despite the custard—a technical achievement that doesn’t go unnoticed by regulars. Family photos line the walls, many showing generations of satisfied customers spanning Faye’s 30+ years in business.
11. Eastside Soul Food Restaurant in Hattiesburg
University students discover what real food tastes like at this homestyle spot where portions require takeout containers for the inevitable leftovers. Their oxtails achieve that perfect gelatinous texture where meat and fat melt together in a rich symphony.
A true meat-and-three setup allows for mathematical combinations that boggle the mind. The mac and cheese contains four different cheeses, creating stretchy forkfuls that prompt silence at tables as diners focus entirely on their plates.
Desserts rotate daily, with Thursday’s banana pudding inspiring early arrivals. The sweet tea comes in giant styrofoam cups with enough sugar to fuel an all-night study session—no wonder it’s popular with college kids from nearby Southern Miss.
12. Mama’s Eats-N-Sweets in Jackson
Sweet meets savory at this dual-purpose establishment where soul food shares menu space with bakery items that could win state fair ribbons. The fried catfish features a cornmeal crust with just enough cayenne to wake up your taste buds without setting them on fire.
Opened by a former school cafeteria cook who got tired of feeding kids processed food, Mama’s prioritizes scratch cooking. Their collard greens maintain a bright color and pleasant chew—no mushiness here—with pot liquor that tastes like liquid gold.
The caramel cake has developed a cult following, with whole cakes requiring 48-hour advance orders. Weekday lunch specials draw government workers from nearby offices who know to arrive by 11:30 before favorites sell out.
13. Mary Mahoney’s Old French House in Biloxi
Historic elegance meets soul food traditions at this 300-year-old home turned restaurant where waitstaff in formal attire serve up plates of down-home goodness. Their shrimp and grits elevates the humble dish with cream sauce spiked with sherry and Gulf shrimp the size of your thumb.
Hurricane Katrina nearly destroyed this Biloxi landmark, but they rebuilt better than ever. The gumbo comes with a family history lesson—the recipe survived multiple generations and natural disasters, remaining unchanged since 1964.
While fancier than most soul food joints, the essence remains authentic. Their bread pudding uses French bread from a local Vietnamese bakery, creating a cross-cultural masterpiece topped with whiskey sauce that should probably require a driver’s license to order.
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