12 Wildly Famous Restaurants In Mississippi That Are Totally Worth The Hullabaloo

From the magnificent fare to the one-of-a-kind setting, a trip to Mary Mahoney’s is sure to be a memorable one. Now a Biloxi landmark, the popular eatery is housed in one of the country’s oldest homes, earning it the nickname "the old French house." Just as impressive as the setting, the menu includes local favorites, like fried green tomatoes topped with crab meat, and a ton of signature seafood creations, such as Sisters of the Sea Au Gratin.

Ask any local where to get a good po’ boy on the Gulf Coast and they’ll undoubtedly mention Bozo’s Seafood Market and Deli, which probably has something to do with the fact that Bozo’s has been serving the area the freshest seafood, shrimp, and crawfish for over 60 years. More than a local favorite, Bozo’s has been featured in several publications, including USA Today.

Serving up award-winning barbecue in a building made from actual junk, a visit to The Shed is sure to be an unforgettable (and tasty) one. The standout barbecue has been featured on several television shows, including Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and Man v. Food Nation.

Head to this Lorman eatery and you’ll find an impressive buffet of southern favorites, including some of the best fried chicken you’ve ever tasted. The famous fried chicken has been featured on the Food Network’s Best Thing I Ever Ate and included in Yahoo’s listing of the "Best Fried Chicken." Only adding to its allure, the restaurant is housed in a still-functioning general store that dates back to the 1800s. After eating, you’ll definitely want to spend some time browsing the nostalgic merchandise.

Located in Oxford’s Courthouse Square, Ajax Diner is considered one of the top diners in the state. Boasting a menu filled with local cuisine, the eatery has won numerous awards, holds many local titles, and just so happens to be one of Eli Manning’s favorite dining spots.

What originally started off as a grocery store has transformed into one of the state’s top restaurants, especially when it comes to steak. Doe’s specialty, the porterhouse, has won numerous awards including being named "No. 1 of the 100 Best Things to Eat in America" by Men’s Journal and landing spots on Bon Apetit Magazine’s "Best Picks for American Eats" list and the Travel Channel’s "Steak Paradise 3 Travel Guide."

Attracting people from all over the country, Taylor Grocery has been serving up the "south’s best catfish" since the late-1970s. And at this local staple, the deep fried cuisine is always joined by good music and sweet tea, which can be enjoyed on the comfy front porch. The place tends to get pretty crowded, so a wait is likely but after just one bite of the restaurant’s perfectly fried catfish, you’ll agree it was worth it.

First opened in 1870, this renowned eatery has garnered national recognition for its mouthwatering cuisine. In 2001, it caught the attention of actress and Meridian-native Sela Ward, who went on to become an investor in the local favorite. The restaurant’s iconic image lives on thanks to informed servers who are more than happy to give customers a history lesson on Weidemann’s.

Since opening in 2005, Darwell’s has transformed from a local favorite to one of Mississippi’s top destination restaurants. It’s even been visited by Guy Fieri and his television show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Fieri loved the crawfish etouffee so much, he included the recipe in his cookbook. Last year, the eatery gained another accolade when it landed a spot on Forbes list, "10 Best Restaurants of 2016." A feat that’s even more impressive when you consider that the list included restaurants in huge cities, like Miami, Brooklyn, and Las Vegas.

Some of the best places in Mississippi are tucked away in small towns, and that’s exactly the case with Phillips Grocery in Holly Springs. In business for decades, it has garnered national recognition and was even named one of the "top three burger joints in the United States." In 2013, George Motz, host of the Burger Land series, visited the long-running eatery to sample one of the nation’s top burgers for himself.

Even though this iconic Greenwood eatery offers an extensive fare of steak and seafood, it’s the lemon ice box pie that Cat Cora couldn’t get enough of when she and her television show, Best Thing I Ever Ate, visited the Crystal Grill.

According to the food, drink, and travel site Thrillist, this café is home to the "Best Burger in America," otherwise known as the Smash Burger. The mouthwatering creation includes aged filet, ribeye, strip steak, sirloin, bacon, comeback sauce, melted cheddar, pickled onions, pickles and more bacon piled on a ciabatta bun, perfect for soaking up all the juices.