Road trips between Memphis and Nashville have a funny way of bending toward one particular exit in Jackson, Tennessee. Locals will point you there before you even finish asking where to eat.
The draw is a Southern buffet that opens its doors at 6:30 in the morning, tucked inside a building styled after a 19th-century general store. There is also an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, a candy counter that sells sweets by the pound, and a railroad museum just steps away.
Families stop for a quick bite and end up staying for an hour. Travelers plug in their electric cars and wander off to browse.
The story behind this place stretches back around six decades, and the details below cover what to expect, when to go, and how to make the most of a visit.
A Country Store at Casey Jones Village
Every good road trip story needs a landmark, and in West Tennessee that landmark is Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store. The full address is 56 Casey Jones Ln A, Jackson, TN 38305, United States.
The store sits inside Casey Jones Village, a campus that bundles dining, shopping, and railroad history into one stop. It is classified as an American restaurant, though that label only tells part of the tale.
Inside, a Southern buffet shares space with a retro ice cream parlor and a sprawling gift shop. The whole setup is styled after a general store from the 1800s.
Its spot in Jackson makes it a natural pause for anyone driving between Memphis and Nashville. Plenty of travelers plan their route around it on purpose.
The parking lot is roomy, and there is open space for dogs to stretch their legs after a long stretch of highway. That small detail matters a lot to pet owners on the move.
Many first-timers come in expecting a simple meal. They usually leave with a full plate, a shopping bag, and a scoop of ice cream in hand.
So what keeps this corner of Jackson so busy, morning after morning? The answer starts with its long history.
Sixty Years of Country Roots
Some businesses chase trends. This one has spent roughly 60 years leaning into tradition instead.
The Old Country Store has been part of the Jackson landscape for about six decades. Over that time it has grown into one of the best-known stops in the area.
Some call it a tourist favorite, and that is fair. It is packed with t-shirts, souvenirs, and plenty of curious items to browse.
Still, the heart of the place remains its home-style cooking. Many guests say the dishes remind them of meals made by their mothers and grandmothers.
The buildings outside add to that feeling. Log construction and tin roofs bring back memories of rural homes for many people raised in the country.
That mix of nostalgia and comfort is hard to fake. It comes from decades of doing the same thing well.
For first-time guests, the history might not be obvious at the front door. It becomes clearer the longer you look around.
Every shelf, sign, and wooden beam hints at a story older than most of the cars in the parking lot.
Breakfast Starts Before Sunrise Errands
Early risers, rejoice. The doors open at 6:30 AM Monday through Saturday.
That early start makes the store a popular breakfast choice for commuters, families, and travelers getting back on the road. The buffet is the main event in the morning.
Breakfast regulars praise the meats, the biscuits, and the gravy. Those three seem to anchor the morning spread.
Not every item wins every heart, though. The eggs have drawn mixed feelings, so it may help to load up on the other favorites first.
The kitchen has said it wants to provide reliable breakfasts and is working on feedback. That kind of attention suggests the morning line is taken seriously.
Sunday is a little different. The store opens later at 8 AM, which suits a slower weekend pace.
Arriving early has another perk. The dining room tends to be calmer, and the food is freshly set out.
Morning or not, the buffet keeps going well past breakfast, which brings us to the main lineup.
The Southern Buffet Lineup
Variety is the name of the game here. The buffet covers fried, baked, and vegetarian options all in one long line.
Fried chicken and catfish come up again and again as standouts. Some guests say those two alone justify the trip.
Fried cornbread, mashed potatoes, and collard greens also earn plenty of praise. Mac and cheese and rice and beans have their loyal fans too.
There is a large salad bar for anyone looking to add something lighter to the plate.
Staff members keep things moving by restocking often. Even in the middle of a weekday afternoon, dishes come out fresh.
Servers sometimes walk around with extra treats, such as fresh fried green tomatoes brought straight to the table.
Cooks have been known to ask guests how the food tastes. That small gesture shows real care.
Of course, buffets can vary from day to day. A few guests have noted lukewarm dishes on busy shifts, so grabbing from fresh pans is a smart move.
The menu changes by day, and it can be viewed on the official website before you go.
Cobbler, Pudding, and Sweet Endings
Save room. Seriously, the dessert section has a reputation of its own.
Peach cobbler is the most talked-about sweet on the buffet. Some days, there are three different cobblers to choose from.
Banana pudding is another frequent favorite. It fits right in with the classic Southern lineup.
Apple fritters have also made fans out of hungry guests. They are worth looking for if they appear on the day you visit.
Desserts are part of the buffet price, so there is no extra decision to make at the register. That makes it easy to sample a little of each.
Families often find that the dessert table is where the kids suddenly regain their appetite.
Still, some guests skip the buffet sweets entirely. They have their eyes on something colder waiting at the front of the store.
That frosty temptation deserves a section all its own.
An Old-School Ice Cream Parlor
Ask a family what they remember most, and the ice cream parlor might top the list.
The retro parlor and soda shop serve cones and shakes in an old-fashioned setting. Many guests call it their favorite part of the whole stop.
It is common for groups to finish a full buffet meal and still walk out with something cold in hand. That says plenty about the draw.
Travelers who have already eaten elsewhere often stop just for a scoop. Even a quick visit can feel worthwhile.
The parlor also works well as a reward for patient kids after a long drive. A cone can make the next hour on the highway much smoother.
Service at the counter is known for being friendly and quick. That helps when the line gets long on busy days.
For anyone short on time, the parlor offers a taste of the experience without committing to a full meal.
Next door, though, another sweet surprise is waiting by the pound.
Candy by the Pound and Gift Shop Finds
Old-fashioned candy fans, this aisle is for you.
The store carries a huge variety of classic sweets, sold self-serve by the pound. It is easy to fill a bag faster than planned.
The gift shop is just as busy. Shelves hold t-shirts, souvenir clothing, and plenty of unique items to browse.
Many people describe the shop as fun and cute. It is a pleasant place to pass time if there is a wait for the dining room.
Some say the store feels like a general store from the Old West. It has a little bit of everything tucked into its corners.
That variety makes it a good spot for picking up small gifts for folks back home.
Browsing also helps meals settle before getting back in the car. Few people leave without at least one bag.
And just beyond the store, a different kind of attraction rolls into view.
Railroad History Next Door
Train buffs get a bonus stop here.
Casey Jones Village includes a railroad museum and plenty of railroad history to explore. It sits on the same campus as the store.
Many guests pair a meal with a quick museum visit. It adds a little learning to an otherwise tasty pit stop.
The museum is described as small, which makes it easy to fit into a short break. Families can tour it without losing half the day.
Together, the museum, shops, and restaurant feel like a little bit of everything Tennessee in one place.
That combination is a big reason the village works so well for road trips. Different people in the same car can each find something they like.
Some guests mention not having enough time to see it all. Planning an extra hour may be wise.
The village keeps its tracks running in more ways than one, especially for drivers watching their battery levels.
Who Feels at Home Here
Families, road trippers, and comfort food lovers all seem to land here eventually.
The vibe is relaxed and welcoming. Staff are often described as kind and attentive, with servers keeping drinks filled and plates cleared.
Here is how it works. You walk into the store, pay for the buffet and your drink at the counter, then head to the dining area.
A server brings drinks to the table. After that, the buffet line is all yours.
The setting suits multi-generation groups well. Grandparents enjoy the nostalgia, and kids enjoy the ice cream.
It also works for solo travelers who just want a hearty plate and a quick stretch break.
Busy times can bring short waits, but quieter evenings, such as a weekday dinner, may have no line at all.
Not every dish will match every taste. Even so, most people agree the stop is a fun experience worth having at least once.
Hours, Costs, and Handy Perks
A little planning goes a long way.
Hours run from 6:30 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, the store opens at 8 AM and closes at 5 PM.
Meals typically fall in the $10 to $20 range per person. The buffet has been listed around $19.99 per plate, which covers a generous spread.
Discounts are offered for military members, first responders, and anyone 60 and over. Be sure to ask at the counter.
Electric vehicle drivers have extra reason to stop. The parking lot has many charging stations, including 250 kW chargers.
That means a meal and a charge can happen at the same time. It turns downtime into dinner time.
The daily buffet menu is posted on the website, caseyjones.com. Checking it ahead helps if you are hoping for a certain dish.
With the logistics covered, there is only one question left to settle.
Worth the Exit Ramp
So, should you pull off the interstate? For most travelers, the answer leans toward yes.
Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store offers a full package. There is a Southern buffet, an ice cream parlor, a candy counter, a gift shop, and railroad history all on one campus.
The food may not wow every single person. Still, fried chicken, catfish, cobbler, and homestyle sides win over plenty of plates.
The early breakfast hours make it a reliable start for a day of driving. Later visits bring calmer dining rooms and time to browse.
It works for families, for couples, and for anyone craving a meal that feels like home cooking.
Perhaps the best advice is simple. Leave extra time, bring an appetite, and save a little room for ice cream.
Jackson has its share of places to eat, but few manage to bundle so much into a single stop.
Ask around town, and someone will probably send you right back to Casey Jones Lane.
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