The 7 Mississippi Delis And Markets Where The Stacked Sandwiches Are Worth Every Mile Of The Drive
Long drives across Mississippi with hungry kids in the back seat can turn into the best part of a trip when lunch is the right kind of stop. Plain counters, small markets, and unfussy cafes across the state are hiding sandwiches so tall they need two hands and a stack of napkins.
Each place below earns its spot with something different, from overflowing po boys on the coast to fresh-baked bread in the capital. Plan your route around a few of them, and the miles will feel shorter for everyone.
1. Ben’s Deli, Gulfport, MS
Overflowing is the right word for a po boy here. Shrimp and oysters pile out of the bread so generously that the sandwich looks more like a seafood platter wearing a jacket.
Ben’s Deli has built its local following on exactly that kind of overstuffed build.
Small and plain, the deli on Pass Road keeps things fast and friendly. Orders move quickly, which matters when little ones are restless after a morning at the beach.
Fried rice also shares the spotlight on the menu, and it pairs nicely with a crunchy seafood sandwich for anyone who wants to split plates.
Bring cash, because cards are not accepted. Prices land around $10 to $20 per person, and portions are big enough that kids can often share.
There is no restroom on site, so plan a stop beforehand with younger travelers.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM, and the doors stay closed on Sunday. Friday afternoons and Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds, while Monday mornings tend to be calm.
Takeout is available, making it easy to grab a bag of po boys and head for a picnic spot by the water instead of squeezing into a tight dining space.
2. Long Beach Market & Deli, Long Beach, MS
Picture a specialty grocery with shelves of international goods, then add a deli counter turning out some of the most talked-about po boys on the coast. Long Beach Market & Deli is family-owned and operated, and that care shows up in every order.
Shrimp here gets battered and fried in house before it is packed onto the bread. Roast beef po boys hold their own too, but the Korean po boy is the twist that sets this spot apart.
Asian flavors run through the menu, giving coastal classics a fresh personality.
Families get plenty of perks. A kids’ menu keeps picky eaters happy, the setting feels cozy and casual, and there is free Wi-Fi plus a restroom.
The patio welcomes dogs, so the four-legged family member does not have to wait in the car.
Doors open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 8 PM, with Mondays closed. Sunday afternoons and weekend crowds can fill the room, so arriving a little early helps.
Parking is free and usually easy to find. Reservations are accepted, which is handy for larger groups, and delivery and takeout are both options when everyone would rather eat back at the rental.
3. Frisco Deli, Pearl, MS
Drive-thru deli sandwiches sound like a shortcut, yet Frisco Deli treats them like serious business. Smoked turkey and smoked ham anchor a menu that also stretches to muffalettas, corned beef on rye, and a Cajun roast beef sandwich with real heft.
Road-trippers passing near Jackson will appreciate the setup. You can roll through the drive-thru, or head inside to a clean dining room with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.
Restrooms are available, which makes it an easy pit stop with kids.
Beyond sandwiches, the kitchen serves BBQ ribs, fried chicken, catfish, and chicken strips. That variety helps when one child wants a tall sandwich and another only wants something crispy to dip.
Timing matters here. Frisco Deli runs Monday through Friday from 10:30 AM to 8 PM and closes on weekends, so weekend travelers will need a different plan.
Weekday afternoons into evenings stay busy, but service is friendly and moves steadily. Expect to spend around $10 to $20 per person, with good value for the size of what lands on your tray.
Free parking in a lot or along the street keeps arrival simple for minivans and loaded cars alike.
4. Manhattan Deli & Grill, Tupelo, MS
New York energy lands in North Mississippi at this halal deli on South Gloster Street. Manhattan Deli & Grill turns out a long lineup of sandwiches, wraps, and burgers, and the chopped cheese is the order regulars point to first.
For anyone new to it, a chopped cheese is a griddled mix of beef and melted cheese tucked into a roll, a street-corner favorite from New York City. Here it arrives packed and hearty.
Fresh smoothies round out the menu, a welcome treat for kids who would rather sip than chew.
Flexible hours make planning easy. Breakfast starts at 7 AM most days, and the kitchen stays open until 9 PM.
On Fridays there is a midday break from 12:30 to 2 PM, and Sunday opens at 8 AM.
Families with mixed diets will find a full vegetarian menu alongside the halal options. Service is counter-style, with no table service and no reservations, so the pace stays quick.
Parking can be tricky, so allow a few extra minutes. Delivery and takeout are available if a hotel picnic sounds better after a day exploring Tupelo.
5. Cater’s Market Starkville, Starkville, MS
Lunch and grocery shopping rarely feel this pleasant together. Cater’s Market in Starkville pairs a cheerful cafe with a market full of gourmet products, Southern specialties, gifts, and seasonal produce from local farms.
Sandwiches, soups, salads, hot plates, and desserts are made in house every day. The muffaletta and the reuben both come out generously portioned, and the taco salad earns attention too.
Staff keep orders moving at a steady clip.
Visiting near Mississippi State University? The market sits close to campus, and parking is plentiful and free.
Parents can browse ready-made casseroles to take back for an easy dinner while kids pick out a sweet treat.
Plan around the hours, which run Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM to 4:30 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM. Sundays and Mondays are closed.
Friday mornings into early afternoon bring the biggest rush, while Saturday is usually calmer.
Service options cover nearly every need, including dine-in, curbside pickup, takeout, and delivery. Expect to spend roughly $10 to $20 per person.
Restrooms are available, a small detail that makes a big difference on a long family drive.
6. Offbeat in General, Oxford, MS
Shelves of gifts, groceries, and fresh bread greet you before the deli counter even comes into view. Offbeat in General feels like an old-fashioned general store with a sandwich habit, and that mix is exactly its charm.
Sandwiches here are toasted and made to order, built from the same deli meats and cheeses sold in the store. The result is a warm, layered sandwich that tastes like it was made just for you, because it was.
Service gets plenty of praise for being attentive and kind.
Kids tend to love wandering the aisles while the order is prepared. Parents can pick up snacks, bread for the road, or a small gift from Oxford without making a second stop.
A restroom is available, which helps on longer travel days.
Hours vary through the week. The store is closed Mondays, open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 AM to 6 PM, Thursday through Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM.
Delivery is not offered, so plan to stop in person. Visits tend to be quick, making it an easy add-on to an afternoon around town.
7. Broad Street Baking Company & Cafe, Jackson, MS
Great sandwiches begin with great bread, and Broad Street Baking Company bakes its own. Inside Banner Hall in Jackson, this industrial-style cafe turns homemade loaves into deli sandwiches with interesting pairings and large portions across several varieties.
The menu reaches well past lunch. Pasta, pizza, soups, salads with a standout house dressing, espresso, and a case of homemade desserts mean nobody in the family is stuck with one option.
Breakfast is served too, starting at 7 AM every day.
Hours stretch to 8 PM Tuesday through Saturday, while Monday and Sunday wrap up at 3 PM. Weekend mornings and Friday mid-day are the busiest windows, so an early arrival can mean easier seating.
The vibe is welcoming and relaxed, with free Wi-Fi and restrooms.
Travelers coming off the interstate will find the location handy, with free parking in the lot and on the street. Dine-in and takeout are available, but delivery is not.
Plan on around $10 to $20 per person. Grabbing an extra loaf or a few pastries for the hotel room the next morning is a smart move before you leave.