Bring Your Hungriest Crew To These 7 Mississippi Buffets Where The Fried Chicken Keeps Coming Back Out
Our road trip plan across Mississippi was simple: stop wherever the fried chicken was crispy and the plates were bottomless. What we found were small-town dining rooms, old general stores, and roadside buffets that fed our crew until even the kids pushed their plates away.
Buffets are a smart choice for families, since picky eaters can choose their own sides and hungry teens can go back for more without a bigger bill. Here are the seven stops that earned a spot on our list, with tips to help you plan your own trip.
1. The Old Country Store, Lorman, MS
Wooden floors creak underfoot the moment you walk through the door of this old general store on US-61. Antique shelves still line the walls, so the building feels more like a trip back in time than a lunch stop.
Kids tend to wander a bit, peeking at the old-fashioned details before anyone even grabs a plate.
Fried chicken is the reason most people make the drive to Lorman. The crust is crisp and well seasoned, and the recipe has been refined over many years.
Around it on the buffet line sit collard greens, lima beans, potato salad, and other vegetables, plus a salad bar for anyone wanting something lighter.
Save room for dessert, because the peach cobbler gets nearly as much attention as the chicken. A large spread of sweets rounds out the meal, and the tea selection keeps everyone refreshed.
Plan for lunch, since hours run from 10 AM to 4 PM every day. Expect to pay about $20 to $30 per person.
Reservations are not taken, but parking is free and usually plentiful, and the casual, cozy setting handles groups and families with ease. Takeout and a drive-through are available too if little ones need a nap in the car.
2. Mama Hamil’s Southern Cookin’ and Bar B Que Buffet, Madison, MS
Since 1977, one family has been feeding Madison from a massive buffet that blends barbecue with country cooking. That pairing is what sets this stop apart.
Your barbecue fan and your fried chicken fan can both leave happy without anyone compromising.
Long communal tables and wood booths fill the roomy dining area, built with big families in mind. High chairs are on hand, and a private dining room is available for larger gatherings.
Reservations are accepted, which helps when you are traveling with a crowd.
The crispy fried chicken shares the line with BBQ ribs, creamy mashed potatoes, collard greens, and chicken livers and gizzards for the more adventurous eaters. A salad bar offers fresh options, and the dessert spread is a favorite with kids.
Prices stay friendly at roughly $10 to $20 per person. Timing matters here: lunch runs 10:30 AM to 2 PM Monday through Wednesday, while Thursday through Saturday adds a 4 to 8 PM dinner window.
Sundays are closed. Wednesday and Thursday afternoons fill up fast, so Thursday evening is the calmest choice for families who want elbow room.
3. Hartz Chicken Buffet, Ocean Springs, MS
Chicken is right there in the name, and the Ocean Springs location takes that promise seriously. Pieces come out crispy and juicy with a good dose of spice.
For families who want fried chicken and nothing fussy, few stops are more straightforward.
All-you-can-eat here covers more than drumsticks. Fried chicken livers and gizzards, fish, country-style green beans, turnip greens, cornbread, and mashed potatoes with gravy fill the line.
A salad bar adds some crunch for balance.
Kids usually head straight for dessert, where bread pudding and peach cobbler wait. Parents will appreciate the practical touches, including high chairs and a kids’ menu for tiny appetites that will not tackle a full buffet.
Service is counter-style, which keeps things moving quickly with restless children. Prices land around $10 to $20 per person.
Doors open 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM daily, so it works for lunch or an early dinner after a day near the coast. Weekend afternoons and Thursday evenings get busy, while Monday mornings are the quietest.
Dogs are allowed outside, and a drive-through handles orders to go.
4. Cajun’s Fabulous Fried Chicken, Gulfport, MS
Spice lovers, take note. In Gulfport, the fried chicken carries a Cajun kick that stays flavorful without overwhelming younger eaters, and the meat stays moist under the crunchy coating.
Stepping inside feels a little like a trip to the 1980s, with informal surroundings that suit a relaxed family meal. Nobody minds a little noise or a few spilled crumbs.
High chairs are available, and the counter-service setup gets food in front of hungry kids fast.
Fried chicken livers come out hot and crispy, alongside fish, yeast rolls, cabbage, potatoes, greens, cornbread, carrots, and fried okra. A salad bar and dessert complete the spread, giving everyone at the table plenty of choices.
Value is a big part of the draw. The buffet generally runs $10 to $20 per person, which feels generous given how many trips back to the line most diners make.
Hours are 10:30 AM to 8 PM every day of the week. Afternoons stay busy almost daily, so arriving right at opening helps families grab a table quickly.
Reservations are not accepted, though takeout and a drive-through are options.
5. Dunk’s Southern Style Buffet & Catering, Diamondhead, MS
Blink and you might miss it. Dunk’s opens only three days a week, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM, so this stop takes a bit of planning.
Families who time it right are rewarded with a peaceful, unhurried lunch.
Tucked into a small suite in Diamondhead, the restaurant has a quiet, casual mood that helps little ones settle down. High chairs are available, and on-site parking makes unloading strollers simple.
Sports often play in the background, which can keep older kids entertained between bites.
The buffet is small and focused rather than sprawling. Fried chicken leads the way, joined by smothered chicken, smothered pork chops, and a hearty chicken stew.
Expect authentic down-home cooking made in small batches, plus dessert to finish.
Because the spread is compact, it suits families who would rather eat a few dishes done well than sort through dozens of trays. Prices fall between $10 and $20 per person, and service moves quickly.
Takeout is available for anyone wanting extra chicken for the road, and the business also offers catering for family reunions or special events back home.
6. Western Sizzlin Wood Grill, Meridian, MS
A steakhouse might seem like an odd final stop on a fried chicken tour. In Meridian, though, the Western Sizzlin buffet serves some of the best fried chicken in town, right beside steaks and grilled favorites.
That combination solves a common family puzzle. One parent can order a steak cooked to order while the kids load up on chicken, catfish, and hot wings from the all-you-can-eat line.
A salad bar and desserts keep the choices wide.
The location is on the smaller side, with a clean, casual setting that feels easy for families. High chairs and a kids’ menu are available, and table service means parents get a bit of help during the meal.
Reservations are accepted, and a private dining room works for larger groups.
Easy access off the highway frontage road makes it a handy stop on long drives. Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM most days, stretching to 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Sunday afternoon is the busiest stretch, so weekday visits are calmer. With prices around $10 to $20 per person, it is an affordable way to wrap up a fried chicken road trip.
7. Berry’s Seafood Restaurant, Florence, MS
Seafood is in the name, yet the fried chicken here holds its own. That makes Berry’s a smart pick for families split between catfish lovers and chicken fans.
Everyone gets their favorite from the same buffet.
Antique farm tools hang throughout the dining room, giving it a down-home Mississippi feel that kids enjoy pointing out. The staff are attentive and helpful, and families will find high chairs, changing tables, and a kids’ menu ready to go.
On the line, expect fried and baked chicken, fried and baked catfish, shrimp, meatloaf, and hushpuppies. Sides include okra, mac and cheese, peas with carrots, and fried green tomatoes.
A salad bar with many toppings sits nearby, and banana pudding is the classic finish.
Plan to spend about $20 to $30 per person. The restaurant opens at 10:30 AM Monday through Saturday and stays open until 9 PM, with short afternoon breaks on Friday and Saturday.
Sundays are closed. Friday nights and Saturdays draw crowds, so a weekday lunch offers a calmer pace.
Reservations are accepted, free wi-fi is available, and a private dining room can host bigger family groups.