Good barbecue in Mississippi is not hard to find, but great barbecue is worth planning your whole day around. Across the state, there are pitmasters turning out ribs that slip off the bone and brisket that holds its own against anything from Texas.
Some of these spots sit right on the bayou, while others hide along small-town highways where the parking lot fills up fast on weekends. Here are eight Mississippi BBQ joints where locals happily wait in line, saving you the guesswork on where to eat next.
1. The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint, Ocean Springs, MS
Few barbecue spots wear their personality quite like this junkyard-style shack sitting near the bayou off MS-57. String lights, picnic tables, and a gravel floor set the scene for weekend blues music and generous plates of smoked meat.
The ribs here fall right off the bone, and the brisket earns comparisons to the best of Texas, only with a Mississippi accent. You can build a meal around the BBQ Plate, Baby Back Ribs, a Pulled Pork Sandwich, or the Brisket and Ribs combo if you want a little of both.
Open every day from 10 AM to 9 PM, it draws its biggest crowds on Sunday afternoons, Friday evenings, and all through Saturday. Reservations are not accepted, so plan for a wait during peak hours.
Families are welcome, dogs are allowed inside and out, and there is usually plenty of free parking. Between the live music, the laid-back setting, and the smoke coming off the pit, this is a genuine slice of Gulf Coast barbecue culture.
2. Memphis BBQ Company, Horn Lake, MS
Just south of the Tennessee line, this Horn Lake spot brings Memphis-style barbecue to north Mississippi with a contemporary, comfortable dining room. Sliced brisket, ribs, and pulled pork anchor the menu, and the juicy, fall-off-the-bone muddy ribs are the reason plenty of drivers make a habit of stopping in.
The kitchen goes beyond the basics with house-made pork rinds, BBQ Nachos with Queso, and the Original Juke Burger. A tall glass of sweet tea rounds things out nicely.
Open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM, the restaurant offers table service, catering, and curbside pickup. There is usually a wait, especially on weekend evenings and Sunday afternoons, so patience pays off.
Locals in the area recommend it to visitors passing through, and repeat customers keep coming back because the quality holds steady. With a full menu, kid-friendly seating, and plenty of parking, it is an easy and reliable stop near the DeSoto County line.
3. The Pig & Pint, Jackson, MS
Creative barbecue with global influences sets this Jackson favorite apart from the pack. Housed in a hip, rustic space on N State Street, it pairs classic smoked meats with a menu that likes to have fun.
The brisket sandwich is a standout, built with moist, tender meat and a lineup of sauces that includes a classic Mississippi style and a distinctive Carolina mustard. Beyond the plates of tender brisket, pulled pork, and ribs, you will find Pork Belly Corn Dogs, Smoked Wings, Fried Boudin Balls, and a BBQ Taco Sampler.
Portions run big, and the smoke flavor comes through on everything. The atmosphere leans lively, with blues playing over the speakers and a crowd that mixes college students, families, and out-of-towners.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, 11 AM to 9 PM, with the kitchen closed on Sundays. Reservations are not taken, so weekday and weekend evenings can get packed.
Note there is no restroom on site, but parking is plentiful.
4. Murky Waters BBQ – Gulfport, Gulfport, MS
Down on 27th Avenue in Gulfport, barbecue and live blues share the spotlight at this easygoing local favorite. The smoked meats do the heavy lifting, with tender pulled pork, nicely smoked brisket, and burnt ends that regulars seek out.
The Sliced Brisket Sandwich is a smart order, and the BBQ Sampler lets you spread out across the menu. You will also find Smoked Chicken Wings, a Shrimp Po’Boy, the Beale Street Burger, and a Pick 2 Combo for the indecisive.
Portions come generous, and there are multiple sauces to mix and match. The setting is casual and welcoming, with room to watch sports and a bar on site.
Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM most days, stretching to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. Unlike many barbecue joints, this one accepts reservations, which helps on busy Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.
Kids are welcome, and there is a changing table on hand for families.
5. Kenova Smokehouse, Flowood, MS
Newcomers to the Flowood area often land here fast when they go hunting for real Mississippi barbecue. The smokehouse on Grants Ferry Road turns out tender, perfectly smoked meats and pairs them with big portions of fresh, daily-made sides.
Ribs come off the bone with a sweet sauce, and the Brisket Platter and Burnt Ends Platter give brisket fans two ways to dig in. Pulled Pork Nachos, smoked sausage, and smoked chicken round out the meats, while sides like Pit Beans, Collard Greens, and Green Beans hold their own.
Save room for the banana pudding, a fitting finish to a heavy plate. The vibe is casual and on the quieter side, which suits groups looking to settle in.
Open Monday through Thursday until 8 PM, Friday and Saturday until 9 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM. Weekends and Sunday afternoons stay busy, and reservations are not accepted, so timing your visit helps.
6. The Rib Shack, Meridian, MS
Meridian folks have a go-to answer when the barbecue craving hits, and this roadhouse-style spot on 18th Avenue is often it. Slow-smoked meats come out in massive quantities, with a smoky flavor that stands apart from the usual.
Ribs run huge and meaty, the brisket comes juicy and flavorful, and the smoked chicken lands moist with a standout sauce. Add in incredible sausage and a Pulled Pork Sandwich, and there is plenty to work through.
The collard greens deserve a mention of their own, and the sweet and spicy sauce ties the plate together. Portions here lean toward the generous end, so come hungry.
Counter service keeps things moving, and the setting is comfortable and family-friendly. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 AM to 7 PM, with Sunday and Monday closed.
Weekend afternoons and evenings are the busiest stretches, and there is free parking on hand.
7. Smoke House BBQ, Brandon, MS
Some families measure the years by how long a restaurant has been their standby, and this Brandon spot along MS-471 has earned that kind of loyalty. Down-home and easygoing, it keeps the focus squarely on well-smoked meat.
The brisket comes out flavorful with a clean smoke ring, and the ribs practically melt. A three-meat plate of pulled pork, sausage, and ribs with two sides like mac and cheese and green beans makes a full meal, while the Pulled Pork Sandwich is a reliable single order.
Sides run generous, and the service stays friendly. The setting is casual and clean, the kind of place that feels more authentic than any chain.
Open Monday through Wednesday until 8:30 PM, Thursday through Saturday until 9 PM, and closed on Sundays. Friday and Saturday evenings bring the biggest crowds, and reservations are not taken.
Parking is free and easy, and there is a kids’ menu for families.
8. Sonny’s Smokehouse, Ackerman, MS
Out in the small town of Ackerman along MS-15, there is a pitmaster whose brisket needs no sauce to make its case. It melts in your mouth on its own, and the pitmaster often takes time to chat and share a bit of the story behind the smoke.
The menu reaches beyond typical barbecue, with smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and even ribeye steaks. Generous portions, reasonable prices, and a glass of that well-loved sweet tea make it easy to settle in.
The rib plate has plenty of fans, and the brisket carries a deep smoke flavor while staying tender. Whether you are grabbing lunch or feeding a tailgate crowd, the meats hold up.
Open only Thursday through Saturday, 10 AM to 8 PM, so plan your trip accordingly. Reservations are not accepted and there is usually a wait, which tells you all you need to know about why locals keep showing up.
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