The Must Try Mississippi Buffet Where The Dessert Pies Keep Everyone Coming Back
Hunger hit hard on a long Mississippi drive, and the plain building by the highway did not look like much. Inside, though, the smell of fried chicken and warm crust changed everything.
Long tables of Southern comfort food led straight to a dessert spread loaded with homemade pies. For families who want a filling, friendly meal that pleases picky eaters and big appetites alike, this stop is easy to love.
A Southern Buffet Just Off the Highway
Poppa’s Buffet & Grill sits at 204 US-51 in Brookhaven, Mississippi, a short hop from Interstate 55. Travelers heading between Jackson and New Orleans often pull off here when the kids start asking about lunch.
The location makes it a handy break on a road trip without a long detour.
At heart, this is a casual Southern restaurant built around a big buffet. Seafood gets plenty of attention, with fish dishes leading the way, but chicken, pork chops, casseroles, and vegetables fill the rest of the line.
Homemade pies wait at the end, and they are a big reason people plan return visits.
Nothing about the place tries to be fancy. You walk in, get seated, and head to the food with a plate in hand.
For parents, that simple routine is a relief, since nobody has to wait long for a meal to come out of the kitchen.
Some guests drive from nearby towns, while others come from as far as New Orleans when they get the chance. That kind of loyalty says a lot about a small-town buffet.
It also hints that the trip off the interstate is easy to justify.
Church Potluck Comfort on Every Table
Picture the best church supper you ever attended, then imagine it served every day. Visitors often describe the food here with that same potluck feeling.
Catfish, creamed corn, beans, and fried chicken share space on a long and generous line.
Casseroles are a big part of the charm. Sweet potato casserole, rice and broccoli casserole, potato casserole, and macaroni and cheese all show up, along with ribs and sausage.
These are the kinds of dishes many Southern families save for holidays and special gatherings.
Fried chicken gets its own fan club. Guests mention people waiting near the line for a fresh batch, praising the crisp crust and juicy meat.
Fish is another favorite, and regulars point to it as one of the stars.
For variety, the buffet also mixes in a few pasta dishes and some Asian-style options. Shrimp and grits appear too, which surprised at least one first-time guest who had never seen it on a buffet.
That range helps when one child wants chicken, another wants noodles, and a grown-up wants something truly local. Everyone can build a plate that fits, and nobody has to settle.
Homemade Pies and a Full Dessert Spread
Save room. That is the best advice for anyone visiting, because the dessert area is where many meals end on a high note.
A whole table is set aside for homemade pies, and guests describe a wide assortment to pick from.
Pies are only the start. Nearby you will find banana pudding and other creamy desserts, a table of cakes, cookies, bread pudding, fresh fruit, and ambrosia.
One visitor called the bread pudding the best thing they tried, which is high praise on a line this long.
Kids usually head straight for the ice cream. A soft serve machine and a sundae bar let little ones top their own bowls, and the vanilla gets special mention from guests.
Pairing a scoop with a warm slice of pie is a popular move.
Families can make dessert a fun little event. Let each child choose one pie to share around the table, then compare favorites.
It turns the last part of the meal into a tasting game instead of a rush out the door, and it gives everyone a reason to talk about coming back.
Seafood Favorites From Frog Legs to Crab Legs
Seafood fans have plenty to celebrate here. The restaurant has a fish focus, and its line often features catfish, boiled shrimp, oysters, and frog legs.
Crab legs have earned praise too, with management calling them a highlight of the house.
Boiled shrimp and soft rolls make an easy combo that guests rave about. Whole catfish is another favorite, especially with hushpuppies on the side.
Seafood pasta adds a creamier option for those who like their shrimp mixed into something hearty.
For kids trying seafood for the first time, a buffet is a low-pressure place to experiment. A single hushpuppy or one shrimp costs nothing extra to try.
If it is not a hit, there is fried chicken just a few steps away.
Adventurous eaters may want to sample frog legs, a Southern classic that sparks plenty of giggles at the table. Oysters bring a taste of Gulf traditions inland to Brookhaven.
Mixing a few of these on one plate gives visitors a quick tour of regional seafood without ordering separate meals, and it is a fun way to teach children about the foods Mississippi is known for.
The Salad Bar Guests Keep Praising
Surprisingly, one of the most talked-about features at a fried chicken buffet is the salad bar. Guests mention it more than almost anything else, and several call it one of the best they have seen.
It offers a big selection that stays fresh.
Leafy greens, toppings, and fruit sit alongside Southern-style cold salads. Grape salad is a sweet, creamy favorite for some guests, though tastes on it vary.
A fruit bar adds even more choices for lighter plates.
Parents often appreciate this part of the meal most. It gives children an easy way to add something crunchy and colorful before dessert.
Picky eaters can grab a few familiar pieces of fruit or vegetables without fuss.
Balance also matters on a long travel day. Starting with a small salad and then moving to the hot line keeps everyone from feeling too stuffed for the car ride.
Some visitors even say the salad bar is their favorite thing about eating here.
Whether you treat it as a side or a main event, it adds real value to the price. Families with different eating styles can each find something that works.
Friendly Service and a Roomy Dining Room
Refills arrive fast at this buffet. Guests note that servers top off drinks before cups get half empty, and the sweet tea gets its own compliments.
Staff are often described as friendly and attentive, even with large groups.
The dining room is clean and spacious, which helps when you are juggling strollers, booster seats, or a big family table. Visitors also mention tidy restrooms, a detail every parent notices.
Families have celebrated birthdays here, and the room handles a crowd well.
The overall feel is down-home country rather than polished. People come in work clothes, church clothes, and road-trip clothes alike.
Nobody will mind if a toddler is a little loud at dinner.
Sunday lunch brings the biggest rush. One guest arriving just before 1 PM found a full waiting area, yet the quoted twenty minutes turned out shorter.
If your kids are not patient waiters, arriving right at opening helps.
Moods can vary from visit to visit, as with any busy local spot. Still, the welcoming staff and relaxed setting make it a comfortable choice for grandparents, young kids, and everyone in between.
Hours, Prices, and Timing Your Visit
Planning ahead pays off, since hours change by day. Monday through Wednesday the buffet serves lunch only, from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Thursday and Friday add dinner, with lunch from 11 AM to 2 PM and supper from 5 to 8:30 PM.
Weekends work a little differently. Saturday is dinner only, from 5 to 8:30 PM, while Sunday offers lunch from 11 AM to 2:30 PM.
Calling 601-833-2060 before you go is smart, since schedules can shift.
Prices generally run between $10 and $20 per person. One couple reported spending about $32 plus tip for two.
Families should ask about children’s pricing when they call, so the total at the register matches what they expect.
Timing makes a difference in what you will find. Arriving close to closing can mean some dishes are gone and not refilled.
Coming early gives you the widest choice, including fresh fried chicken and a full pie table.
Getting there is simple from I-55, with the restaurant on US-51 in Brookhaven. Many visitors drive thirty minutes to an hour, so a lunchtime stop fits nicely into a day of travel.
Why Families Make the Drive Again
Full plates, happy kids, and a pie table worth bragging about are what most families take home from Poppa’s. It delivers the kind of Southern cooking many people grew up eating at reunions and holidays.
That familiar flavor is hard to find in chain restaurants.
Not every visit is perfect, and some guests have noticed ups and downs in selection on certain days. Even so, a large number of regulars keep coming back for the fried chicken, seafood, salad bar, and desserts.
Some say the weekday buffet is just as good as Sunday.
For families on the move, the value is clear. Everyone eats what they like, the price stays reasonable, and nobody waits long for food.
Kids get to build their own sundaes, while adults get a real taste of Mississippi comfort cooking.
The best plan is to arrive hungry and early, start light, and leave space for at least one slice of pie. Chances are good someone in the car will ask when you are stopping again.
That simple question is usually how a roadside buffet turns into a family tradition worth repeating on every trip south.