Mississippi does sandwiches and smoked meat a little differently, and the best versions usually come from places with picnic tables, short menus, and no fuss. This list covers five spots where po’boys and barbecue are the whole point, from the Gulf Coast up to Natchez and out along US 49.
Some are counter-serve shacks, one is a country general store, and one is a barbecue joint built to look like a junkyard. Each one earned its place for a different reason, whether that is a roast beef po’boy with gravy, a hot sausage sandwich, or a brisket plate with blues on the side.
Hours vary a lot between them, so the practical details are included too. Save this one for your next road trip, or send it to the friend who always knows where to eat.
1. Pirate’s Cove, Pass Christian, MS
Roast beef and gravy on French bread is the order that put Pirate’s Cove on the map in Pass Christian. The restaurant sits at 208 Menge Ave, and the setup is simple: order at the counter, grab a seat at a picnic table, and wait for your name.
The po’boy lineup goes well beyond the classics. Fried oyster and fried shrimp are there, but so are a Meat Combo, a Cubano, a Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch version, and even a French Fry po’boy for anyone who believes carbs belong on carbs.
Portions run large. The Cajun sausage po’boy is big enough to split between two people, and half sizes are available on some sandwiches.
Families will find high chairs, a kids’ menu, and chicken strips that get plenty of attention on their own. Corn nuggets and Messy Fries round out the sides, and Blue Bell ice cream cones and shakes handle dessert.
Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the place is closed Sundays. Reservations are not taken, and Friday afternoons get busy, so an early lunch is the smart move.
2. Wardo’s Poboys, Natchez, MS
Natchez is better known for antebellum homes and river views, but this little shack on North Broadway brings a New Orleans accent to town. Wardo’s keeps it casual with counter seating inside and picnic tables out in a shaded area.
Shrimp po’boys are a top seller here, and the hot sausage po’boy has a devoted following of its own. For something heartier, the Ribeye Poboy takes the sandwich in a steakhouse direction.
Then there is The Mighty Mississippi Muffuletto, built with light bread and olive relish. It is a fun local twist on the famous muffuletta.
I like that the sides and sweets feel homemade. Gumbo, potato salad, white chocolate bread pudding, and pralines all show up on the menu.
Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables. Plan around Tuesdays, when Wardo’s is closed, and expect weekend crowds, especially Sunday afternoon.
3. Lil Rays, Gulfport, MS
Some restaurants chase trends. Lil Rays on Courthouse Road in Gulfport has stayed a longtime local institution by sticking to Gulf seafood and po’boys served in old-school digs with aquatic touches.
The bread matters here, and it is authentic French bread. Roast beef, shrimp, and oyster po’boys are the core of the menu, with sausage po’boys earning their own fans.
Gumbo and fried shrimp are two of the strongest reasons to stop in. Fried green tomatoes, fried pickles, grilled shrimp, and shrimp tacos give the table some variety.
Unlike several spots on this list, Lil Rays offers table service and accepts reservations. There is also a drive-through and curbside pickup for anyone eating on the go.
Watch the hours. It closes at 3 p.m.
Monday through Wednesday, stays open until 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and is closed Sundays.
4. Shady Acres Village, Seminary, MS
Road trippers on US 49 might pass this place thinking it is just a produce stand. That would be a mistake.
Shady Acres Village in Seminary is a country general store with fresh produce and a kitchen turning out Southern-style barbecue and home-cooked meals. The hot plates are the draw, with smoked chicken, ribs, and sausage alongside Southern sides.
Collard greens and sautéed onions are two sides worth adding. And in a twist for a barbecue stop, the shrimp po’boy here has a strong reputation too.
This is a quick-visit kind of place, which makes it easy to work into a drive between Hattiesburg and Jackson. Grab lunch, pick up some produce, and get back on the road.
Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Sundays closed. Friday and Saturday afternoons are the busiest times.
5. The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint, Ocean Springs, MS
Picture a barbecue restaurant assembled from what looks like junkyard finds, then add string lights, picnic tables, and live blues. That is The Shed, sitting along MS-57 in Ocean Springs.
The menu sticks to the barbecue basics and does them in generous portions. Baby back ribs, pulled pork, and brisket lead the way, whether as plates, sandwiches, or the Brisket and Ribs combo for bigger appetites.
Chicken wings are another option, and the house barbecue sauce is sold on its own. Sides and dessert fill out the trays.
Live music is a big part of the experience, especially on weekends. The crowd is a mix of families, groups, college students, and travelers, and dogs are allowed inside and out.
The Shed is open every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday afternoons and Friday evenings get packed, so weekday visits are calmer.
It is a fitting final stop, since barbecue and blues are two things Mississippi does as well as anywhere. Pair it with a Gulf Coast po’boy earlier in the day and you have covered both halves of this list in one trip.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.