This Mississippi Buffet Lines Up Fried Catfish And Shrimp Next To Brisket And Ribs, And You Only Pay Once

We were hungry, a little tired, and not expecting much from a plain building off a busy Mississippi road. Then we saw the buffet line, where fried catfish and shrimp sat right beside brisket and ribs.

One payment covered all of it, and the kids could pick whatever looked good without a single argument over the menu. For families who want real Southern cooking without a big bill, this kind of stop can turn an ordinary travel day into a happy memory.

A Southern Buffet Off Thornhill Drive

Hattiesburg sits in the Pine Belt of south Mississippi, and locals often call it the Hub City. On Thornhill Drive, The Front Porch BBQ & Seafood serves an all-you-can-eat Southern buffet that pairs barbecue with seafood under one roof.

The idea is simple. You pay at the front, take a seat, and then head to a long line of hot pans filled with comfort food.

Brisket, ribs, fried catfish, fried shrimp, gumbo, and plenty of vegetable sides share space on the same buffet, so nobody at the table has to choose between smoky meat and crispy seafood.

For families on the road, that setup removes a lot of stress. Picky eaters can try a little of everything, hungry teens can go back for seconds, and parents know the cost before anyone grabs a plate.

The restaurant works well as a lunch break on a Mississippi road trip, too. Travelers heading home to neighboring Louisiana have stopped here on the way, and many visitors from out of town make it a regular pause whenever they pass through Hattiesburg.

It is a straightforward place with a clear mission: feed people well, Southern style, and keep the plates coming.

Vintage Signs and a Plain, Tidy Dining Room

Old metal signs hang on the walls, giving the room a gentle retro feel. Beyond that, the space keeps things simple, with sturdy tables, practical chairs, and a layout built around the buffet line.

Some guests describe the look as fairly plain, and that is a fair summary. Fancy décor is not the point here.

What stands out instead is how clean the place stays, with visitors regularly mentioning tidy tables and well-kept restrooms, which matters a lot when you are traveling with little ones.

Calm is another word that comes up. The atmosphere tends to be relaxed rather than loud, so families can talk without shouting across the table.

Toddlers who need a minute to settle usually have room to do so without feeling rushed.

Larger groups should know that tables can be pushed together for bigger parties. One visitor with a group of six waited a while before staff rearranged seating, so calling ahead or arriving a little early with a big crew can help things go smoothly.

The overall setting feels like a hometown cafeteria with a nostalgic wink. It is comfortable, unpretentious, and easy to settle into after hours in the car.

Brisket and Ribs at the Heart of the Line

Ribs and brisket earn more attention from diners than anything else on the buffet. Among all the food people talk about here, those two meats lead the conversation by a wide margin.

Regulars often say they always grab both. The brisket gets praise for being tender, and several visitors single it out as excellent on a good day.

Ribs show up in nearly as many conversations, usually paired with the brisket as the reason people return.

Not everyone finds the barbecue heavy on smoke. One traveler described it as tender but mild in smoky flavor, which can actually be a plus for kids who are still warming up to bold barbecue.

A gentler taste makes it easier for younger eaters to enjoy a rib without wrinkling their noses.

Because the format is all you can eat, families can start small. Let the kids try one rib and a slice of brisket, then go back if they like it.

Nothing is wasted on a full plate nobody wanted.

On some evenings, a carving station has offered extras like prime rib during special events. Those specials vary, so it helps to ask what is on the line before you pay.

Fried Catfish, Shrimp, and Hush Puppies

Mississippi and catfish go together like porches and rocking chairs. The state is famous for farm-raised catfish, so it makes sense that fried catfish holds a proud spot on this buffet.

Right nearby, fried shrimp adds another crunchy option. Diners mention both regularly, and hush puppies, those golden balls of fried cornmeal batter, round out the seafood corner.

For kids, hush puppies are often the gateway snack that gets them curious about the fish next to them.

Having seafood and barbecue together is the real draw. A parent who loves catfish can sit next to a teen piling on ribs, and everyone pays the same single price.

No one has to compromise on a restaurant choice during a long travel day.

Gumbo is another seafood-leaning favorite that people talk about. Its warm, savory broth makes it a nice starter, especially on cooler days.

Tastes differ, though, and one late-day diner was not impressed, so freshness may depend on timing.

A smart move for families is to visit during the busier lunch window. When the line turns over quickly, fried items tend to come out hot and crisp, which is exactly how catfish and shrimp should be enjoyed.

Home-Style Vegetables and Sweet Potato Casserole

Seasoning vegetables well is a true Southern skill, and visitors have praised a cook here who clearly knows how. Greens, beans, and casseroles fill a big portion of the buffet, giving the meal its home-cooked feel.

Collard greens come up often in conversations about the food. Lima beans have earned compliments, and macaroni and cheese sits on the line as a classic kid magnet.

Turnip greens have appeared too, though opinions on their tang vary from guest to guest.

Sweet potato casserole is a standout for many families. Diners call it especially tasty, and its sweet, soft texture often wins over children who might skip other vegetables.

Sweet potatoes in general show up as a favorite among people who enjoy the buffet.

For parents, the vegetable section is a quiet win. Kids can fill part of their plate with something green or orange without a battle, since they get to choose for themselves.

Letting them scoop their own sides gives a sense of control that sometimes leads to brave new tastes.

A salad bar also sits among the options, with guests describing it as good. Fresh lettuce and toppings balance out the fried dishes nicely.

Fried Chicken, Pork Chops, and Other Crowd-Pleasers

Seafood and barbecue may headline the sign, yet some guests come back for the side characters. Crispy fried chicken, chicken fingers, and fried pork chops have loyal fans of their own.

One regular goes as far as calling the chicken fingers the best in Hattiesburg. For families, that is useful news.

Chicken fingers are a safe bet for younger kids, and having them on the same buffet as brisket means even the pickiest eater has something familiar to enjoy.

Fried pork chops are another surprise favorite. A diner who felt lukewarm about parts of the spread still said they would return just for those chops.

Southern-style fried chicken gets warm mentions as well, often listed right alongside the ribs.

Chicken gizzards appear among the dishes people talk about, too. They are a traditional Southern treat with a chewy bite, and adventurous kids may enjoy daring each other to try one.

All these options add up to a buffet that suits mixed groups well. Grandparents, parents, and toddlers can each find a comfort food that feels like home.

One grandparent shared that even their two- and three-year-old grandchildren gave the meal an enthusiastic thumbs up.

Lunch Timing and the Best Window for Families

Lunch is when the buffet shines brightest. Service runs from 11 AM to 3 PM every day of the week, and that midday stretch tends to bring the biggest crowds and the freshest pans.

Evening hours are more limited. Thursday stays open until 7 PM, while Friday and Saturday reopen from 4 to 7:30 PM after an afternoon break.

Sunday through Wednesday, the doors close after lunch.

Timing matters more than many people expect. Visitors who arrived late in the evening found the dining room nearly empty and some dishes running low.

One guest who stopped by around 6:30 on a Friday ended up eating alone by closing time.

For families, the takeaway is clear. Plan your stop around noon if you can.

Kids are usually hungriest then anyway, and you will catch a busy line where catfish, shrimp, and ribs keep getting refreshed.

A practical tip shared by one diner works for any buffet. If you arrive at an off hour, ask to look over the line before paying.

Staff are generally happy to let you peek, and it helps you decide with confidence.

One Price, Easy Parking, Simple Planning

Budget-friendly is the phrase diners use most when talking about cost. You pay once at the front, and that single price covers the whole buffet, desserts and drinks with service included.

Guests frequently say you cannot beat the lunch price, and many point to it as a great value for the amount of food. Dinner and special event pricing can differ, so it is smart to confirm current rates when you arrive.

Paying up front also means no surprise bill at the end of the meal.

Getting there is straightforward. The restaurant sits at 205 Thornhill Drive in Hattiesburg, a short hop from major routes like Interstate 59.

Out-of-town families can easily work it into a drive through south Mississippi, and the parking lot keeps loading and unloading kids simple.

For bigger groups, think about seating. Larger parties may need tables combined, so arriving before the main rush gives staff time to set things up.

Because everything is self-serve, the meal can move at your family’s pace. A quick refuel works fine, but so does a slow lunch where everyone samples three rounds of sides.