8 Family-Owned Mississippi BBQ Spots Grilling Steaks Locals Swear By
These are the places locals never stop talking about. Discover which spots in Mississippi rank among the very best.
A good steak here doesn’t need a review. It doesn’t need a stranger’s recommendation either.
It just needs a name passed down through the family for generations. The grill comes with that name too.
Nobody rushes the fire here. Nobody changes the rub just because a new trend shows up.
That kind of stubbornness is exactly why the smoke keeps rising from the same spots year after year. These family-owned barbecue joints grill their steaks with the same care they always have.
The locals wouldn’t dream of eating anywhere else.
1. Kenova Smokehouse
Chef Kendall Adkins did not open just another BBQ joint. He brought over 15 years of classical culinary training and turned it into something truly different.
Everything at Kenova Smokehouse is made from scratch, no canned goods, no shortcuts.
The menu pulls from all the great BBQ regions of America. You get Texas brisket, Memphis pulled pork, Kansas City burnt ends, and St. Louis ribs all under one roof.
Locals especially love the grilled steaks, which hit different when a trained chef is behind the grill.
Adkins intentionally built a menu that stands apart from traditional Mississippi BBQ spots. He wanted to offer something fresh while still respecting Southern roots.
That balance is what keeps people coming back week after week.
The atmosphere inside is comfortable and genuinely welcoming. It does not feel like you are eating at a fancy restaurant, but the food quality says otherwise.
You feel relaxed the moment you walk in.
What makes Kenova special is the commitment to quality at every single level. No pre-made sides are ever served here.
Every dish reflects real effort and real skill.
If you are visiting the Flowood area, this spot deserves a stop. The steak alone is worth the drive.
Locals have been talking about this place non-stop, and the buzz is completely earned.
Find Kenova Smokehouse at 640 Grants Ferry Rd, Flowood, MS 39232.
2. Strick’s Bar-B-Q And Catering
Nobody planned for Strick’s to become a BBQ legend. It started as a convenience store back in 1980.
Owner J.S. Strickland threw some ribs and chicken on the grill during a holiday rush, and customers went absolutely wild.
That happy accident turned into a full BBQ operation that has been feeding Hattiesburg for over four decades. The family never looked back.
What began as a side hustle became the main event.
Strick’s is known for authentic Southern BBQ that tastes like someone’s grandmother spent all day on it. The flavors are bold, smoky, and deeply satisfying.
There is nothing trendy or overthought about it.
The catering side of the business is just as impressive. Strick’s has fed thousands of people at events across the region.
When locals need BBQ for a big crowd, this is the first call they make.
Walking into Strick’s feels like visiting a place that has always been there. Because it has.
The regulars know the staff, the staff knows the regulars, and the food stays consistently great.
The ribs and chicken that started it all are still crowd favorites. Grilled steaks have also become a reason locals keep returning.
Every plate arrives with that same honest, homemade care that built the reputation.
This is not a place trying to impress food critics. It is a place that has been quietly impressing everyday people for decades.
That is honestly a better achievement.
Visit this place at 3802 W 4th St, Hattiesburg, MS 39401.
3. (CHOP) Clay’s House Of Pig
It started in a bait and tackle shop. Seriously.
Owner Clay Coleman began selling BBQ during cold winter months to bring in extra income. Nobody expected the BBQ to outshine the fishing gear, but here we are.
Word spread fast around Tupelo about the smoky, rich meats coming out of that little shop. Customers stopped caring about the fishing equipment entirely.
Clay had accidentally created something special.
Sadly, Clay passed away in 2021. His family stepped up and kept the legacy alive.
Every rack of ribs and every slice of brisket smoked in-house is a tribute to the man who started it all.
The menu at CHOP is impressive. Brisket, ribs, and pork belly are all smoked in-house with care and patience.
Locals rave about the BBQ taters, which are basically a meal on their own.
Do not leave without trying the blueberry cheesecake cobbler. It sounds unexpected at a BBQ spot.
One bite and you will completely understand why people order it every single visit.
The atmosphere is comfortable, and the staff is genuinely friendly. You get the sense that everyone working there actually loves being there.
That energy translates directly into the food and the service.
CHOP carries the spirit of a man who believed good BBQ could come from anywhere. Even a bait shop.
That kind of origin story makes every meal feel a little more meaningful.
Find it at 205 S Veterans Memorial Blvd, Tupelo, MS 38804.
4. Hog Heaven BBQ
High school sweethearts opening a BBQ restaurant sounds like the beginning of a great movie. For Brandi and Chris Lindsey, it was just a Tuesday in 2010.
They launched Hog Heaven BBQ inside a Shell gas station, which sounds wild until you taste the food.
Starting inside a gas station takes guts. But the Lindseys believed in their recipes and their community.
Laurel showed up for them early, and the support never stopped.
By 2017, the demand had grown enough to move into their current location on Ellisville Blvd. The new space gave them room to serve more people while keeping that homemade, Southern feel intact. Nothing about the quality changed when they moved.
Hog Heaven is built on three things: family values, hard work, and food that makes you close your eyes when you take a bite. The Southern-style barbecue here is the real deal.
Slow-cooked, well-seasoned, and made with love.
The vibe inside is relaxed and easy-going. You are not rushing through a meal here.
You sit down, enjoy yourself, and maybe go back for seconds because why not.
Friendly smiles and Southern hospitality greet you at the door. The staff treats every customer like a regular, even on your first visit.
That warmth is part of what makes this place so special.
Locals swear by the BBQ here, and after one visit, you will completely understand why. Hog Heaven earns its name every single day.
The address is 3204 Ellisville Blvd, Laurel, MS 39440.
5. Murky Waters BBQ – Ocean Springs
Two recent college graduates with a passion for BBQ and blues music decided to build something real. Around 2012 and 2013, Murky Waters BBQ was born in Ocean Springs.
Nobody told them it would be easy, and nobody had to.
The concept was simple but bold: slow-smoke the meats every single day and pair it with live blues music. That combination turned out to be pure magic.
People came for the food and stayed for the music.
The environment at Murky Waters is warm and inviting without trying too hard. It feels like a place where everyone is welcome.
You can show up solo or bring the whole family and feel equally at home.
When your salad is getting shoutouts, the kitchen is doing something right.
The laid-back vibes here are genuine, not manufactured. Ocean Springs has a certain coastal Southern charm, and Murky Waters fits perfectly into that energy.
You eat well, hear great music, and leave in a good mood.
Their commitment to slow-smoking every day means the meat is always fresh and properly prepared. No shortcuts, no frozen tricks.
Just real BBQ done with patience and skill.
This spot is a favorite among locals who want great food without a stiff or formal setting. It delivers on every level that matters.
Stop by Murky Waters BBQ at 1312 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564.
6. The Rib Shack
Ronnie Shack grew up cooking alongside his mother, learning recipes that had been passed down through the family. Those childhood memories in the kitchen never left him.
Eventually, he came back to his roots and turned those old recipes into a business.
The Rib Shack started as a catering operation in 2006. Demand grew so fast that a physical location became necessary.
The move to Meridian gave Ronnie the space to serve more people who were already lining up for his BBQ.
Their motto says it all: “No teeth required.” That is not a joke. The meat here is so tender it practically falls apart before it even reaches your mouth.
That level of texture takes real skill and real patience.
The atmosphere inside is relaxed, cozy, and inviting. It does not feel like a tourist spot or a trendy eatery.
It feels like a place that genuinely cares about feeding people well.
The staff here is friendly in that authentic, unhurried Southern way. They are not rushing you out.
They want you to enjoy your meal and leave happy, and that shows in how they treat every table.
Grilled steaks have become a standout order for many regulars who keep returning specifically for that menu item. Paired with sides made from those original family recipes, it is a meal worth planning your day around.
The Rib Shack is proof that passion and family tradition make for the best BBQ. Ronnie built something real here, and Meridian is lucky to have it.
Visit it at 818 18th Ave, Meridian, MS 39301.
7. The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint
Brad Orrison built his restaurant from materials he found dumpster diving. Yes, dumpster diving.
The result is one of the most unique and beloved BBQ spots in all of Mississippi. Sometimes the best things come from the most unexpected places.
The decor is best described as “junkadelic.” Rustic wood, eclectic finds, and a whole lot of personality fill every corner of this place. It looks like nothing else you have ever eaten in, and that is completely intentional.
The Shed is a full family operation. Brad, his sister Brooke, his brother Brett, and even their parents are all involved in running the place.
When a whole family pours itself into a business, you can feel it in every detail.
Regulars here call themselves “ShedHeds,” and some of them have even helped physically expand the building over the years. That is the kind of loyal community most restaurants only dream about building.
This one actually did it.
Award-winning BBQ and incredible live blues music are the two things The Shed is most famous for. The combination creates an atmosphere that is loud, fun, and deeply satisfying.
You come hungry and leave with a huge smile.
The BBQ itself is serious business despite the playful surroundings. Every rack, every brisket, every grilled steak is treated with the respect that great meat deserves.
The awards on the wall back that up completely.
First-timers are always a little surprised by the experience. Regulars know exactly what to expect and cannot wait to get back.
Experience The Shed Barbeque and Blues Joint at 7501 MS-57, Ocean Springs, MS 39565.
8. Tommy’s BBQ
Tommy Hughes and Eli Perez opened Tommy’s BBQ in March 2023 with a clear vision and a lot of heart. Tommy’s family has deep roots in Vicksburg spanning multiple generations.
Eli brought years of experience in special needs education and a commitment to building a wholesome, inclusive workplace.
Together, they set out to bring West Texas-style barbecue to a city that already loves its BBQ. That is a bold move.
Vicksburg welcomed them with open arms and hungry appetites.
Locals swear by the brisket here. It is the kind of brisket that makes you rethink every other brisket you have ever had.
Thick, smoky, and perfectly cooked every single time.
The beef ribs are another reason people keep coming back. Big, bold, and packed with flavor, they are a full meal on their own.
Texas Twinkies are also getting serious attention. For those who have never had one, it is a jalapeno stuffed with brisket and cream cheese, then wrapped in bacon.
It is exactly as incredible as it sounds.
Save room for the Tres Leches cake. A Texas-style BBQ joint serving Tres Leches is a plot twist nobody expected, but everyone appreciates.
It is the perfect sweet ending to a smoky, satisfying meal.
The service here is quick and friendly, and the atmosphere makes everyone feel welcome. For a restaurant that opened in 2023, Tommy’s has already built a reputation that feels years in the making.
Find it at 1540 US-61 BUS, Vicksburg, MS 39183.