Mississippi Locals Say These Are The 11 Best Mexican Restaurants In The State
A plate of birria tacos in a strip mall off a Mississippi highway can change your whole idea of a road trip lunch. Across the state, families keep returning to Mexican kitchens tucked between hardware stores and gas stations, where kids get their own menus and parents get real flavor.
This list covers eleven of those favorites, from the Gulf Coast to the northern hills. Each one earns its spot for a different reason, so plan your next family drive around a few of them.
1. Green Ghost Tacos, Jackson, MS
Variety is the whole point at this Jackson taco shop. The menu runs from premium steak carne asada and pastor tacos to shrimp tacos, a beef taco salad, and a full vegan menu, so picky eaters and adventurous ones can share a table without trading complaints.
Queso fundido makes a good starter for the group, and churros close things out on a sweet note. Counter service keeps meals moving quickly, which helps when little ones are already hungry.
Families will find high chairs, a kids’ menu, and outdoor seating for nice-weather days.
Hours stretch later than many spots in town. The kitchen opens at 11 AM daily and stays open until midnight Thursday through Saturday, while Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday close at 9 PM.
Saturday night brings the biggest crowd, so an early dinner suits families best.
Prices land around $10 to $20 per person, and free parking is usually easy to find in the lot or on the street. Busy schedules get help too, with curbside pickup, delivery, and catering available for birthdays or team parties.
Reservations are accepted, and free Wi-Fi keeps older kids entertained while orders come out fast. Expect a casual, upbeat room with plenty of energy.
2. El Chilango, Gulfport, MS
Birria ramen sounds like a dare, yet it sits right on the menu at this Gulfport kitchen on Cowan Road. Rich birria broth meets noodles in a bowl that kids tend to slurp happily, while the classic birria tacos remain the main draw.
Morning visitors get a bonus. El Chilango serves breakfast and brunch along with coffee, making it a handy stop before a beach day on the Gulf Coast.
Later in the day, tortas, chicken tortilla soup, a large guacamole, and the Taco Loco round out the house-made lineup.
Parents will appreciate the practical touches. High chairs, a changing table, a kids’ menu, and a gender-neutral restroom make it easy to bring babies and toddlers along.
The room feels cozy and often quiet, a welcome change from louder chain spots.
Doors open at 11 AM Monday through Saturday, closing at 9 PM on weeknights and 9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday. Sunday is closed.
Wednesday and Friday evenings fill up fastest, so a weekday lunch offers more breathing room. Most meals cost between $10 and $20 per person, and free on-site parking keeps arrival simple for minivans.
3. Cantina Del Sol | Mexican, Tupelo, MS
A bell hangs near the door here, and guests who loved their meal get to ring it on the way out. Kids tend to treat that little ritual as the highlight of the evening, which says plenty about the fun spirit of this Tupelo restaurant.
The dining room is eclectic and beautiful, with an upscale feel that still stays relaxed enough for families. Modern Mexican cooking fills the menu, including ceviche, barbacoa, Mexican street corn, and signature street tacos.
The molcajete arrives as a showpiece, and the Enchiladas Tapatias offer a comforting choice for less adventurous eaters.
Lunchtime brings a buffet, a smart option when children want to sample a bit of everything. A salad bar and healthy options balance out the cheesy nachos and house guacamole.
Groups can book a private dining room, handy for reunions or post-game team meals.
Hours run 11 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 9 PM on Sunday. Friday and Saturday evenings draw the biggest crowds, while Monday and Tuesday nights stay calm.
Expect to spend about $10 to $20 per person. A kids’ menu and high chairs are available, and reservations are accepted.
4. Luna Nueva Cocina Mexicana, Hattiesburg, MS
Birria pizza is the dish that gets people talking about this small Hattiesburg spot. Picture a crispy, cheesy crust layered with slow-cooked birria, a mashup that wins over kids who normally stick to plain slices.
Family-run and spotless, Luna Nueva cooks everything fresh in a compact dining room on Oak Grove Road. Portions come large and the plates look carefully arranged, so a single order often stretches far.
Beyond birria tacos, the menu includes a milanesa plate, arroz con pollo, enchiladas suizas, taquitos dorados, and a vegetarian Pando burrito.
Jarritos sodas in bright fruit flavors make a fun treat for younger diners. A kids’ menu and high chairs help families settle in, and the quiet, cozy atmosphere suits parents who want to actually hear each other talk.
Doors open at 11 AM Monday through Saturday, closing at 9 PM Monday through Thursday and 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. Sunday is closed.
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings bring the busiest stretches, while mornings stay calm. Prices sit around $10 to $20 per person.
Takeout and delivery work well for families heading home after a long day, and reservations are accepted for bigger groups.
5. Lamar Taco Shop, Oxford, MS
Handmade tortillas set the tone at this Oxford taco shop on Lamar Boulevard. Each one comes pressed fresh, wrapped around fillings like signature carne asada and tender lengua, with a Southern twist that fits right into north Mississippi.
Tacos are only part of the lineup. Burritos and bowls give families flexible choices, especially when one child wants rice and beans while another wants everything wrapped up neatly.
A kids’ menu keeps things simple for the youngest diners.
Cold evenings feel cozy thanks to a fireplace inside, and warm days call for the outdoor seating. Game days bring an extra buzz, since the place works well for watching sports with the family.
College students mix with locals and visitors, giving the room a lively, casual vibe.
Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. Monday evenings and Friday nights get busiest, while weekday mornings stay quiet.
Meals usually cost $10 to $20 per person. Curbside pickup and delivery help on hectic weekends around campus events, and free parking makes stopping in easy.
Reservations are accepted, a smart move before a big home game.
6. Casa Bravo Mexican Restaurant, Starkville, MS
Sunday is the magic day for families in Starkville, because kids eat free at Casa Bravo. That one perk alone makes it a regular weekend stop for parents feeding a hungry crew on a budget.
Guacamole gets made tableside here, and watching it come together is a small show that children love. Classic street tacos come with extra salsas for those who like more kick, and fajitas rank among the most popular plates.
A full vegetarian menu adds options for families with different eating styles.
The space feels cozy yet energetic, with college students, locals, and visitors filling tables near Mississippi State. Outdoor seating offers a breezy option, and dogs are welcome, so the family pet can tag along too.
High chairs and a kids’ menu are ready for little ones.
Hours run 11 AM to 9:30 PM Monday through Wednesday and Saturday, until 10 PM Thursday and Friday, and until 9 PM on Sunday. Friday evening is the busiest window.
Plan for about $10 to $20 per person. Reservations are required, so call ahead before showing up with a big group.
Catering, delivery, and takeout make game-day gatherings easier.
7. Pepe’s Bosque Mexican Grill, D’Iberville, MS
Longevity matters on the Gulf Coast, and Pepe’s Bosque has been feeding D’Iberville families for years. The upbeat dining room and shaded patio feel familiar the moment you walk in.
A condiment bar stocked with different salsas and sauces lets everyone dress up their plate their own way. Kids enjoy experimenting, and parents can find the spice level that suits them.
Servings run huge, so sharing is a smart strategy.
Bosque Fajitas carry the restaurant’s name for good reason, and the chicken comes tender and well seasoned. Choriqueso, burritos, and chips with salsa round out the savory side.
Mondays bring a California Burrito special, a fun excuse to start the week here. Dessert lovers can choose between flan and fried ice cream, the second being a guaranteed hit with children.
Hours run 10:30 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday, with Sunday closed. Most evenings get busy, while mornings tend to be calm, so a late-morning lunch is easiest for families.
Expect around $10 to $20 per person. A private dining room, catering, high chairs, a kids’ menu, and a full vegetarian menu make it easy to plan celebrations of every size.
8. Los Cabos Mexican Grill, Southaven, MS
Cheese dip earns near-legendary status at this Southaven grill, with three versions to choose from: a creamy cheese dip, chile con queso, and chori-queso with sausage. Families often order more than one and turn the start of the meal into a friendly taste test.
Tex-Mex is the main style, and fajitas lead the way. The house special combines chicken, shrimp, and steak on one sizzling platter, plenty for sharing.
Salmon fajitas offer a lighter twist, while mojarra frita brings a whole fried fish to the table for adventurous eaters.
Picky kids have choices too. Chicken wings, quesadillas, and nachos fajitas cover familiar flavors, and a dedicated kids’ menu keeps things simple.
Large portions mean leftovers are common.
Located near the Tennessee line, Los Cabos makes a convenient stop for families traveling to or from Memphis. Hours run 11 AM to 10 PM Sunday through Thursday and until 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Friday evening is the busiest time. Prices stay around $10 to $20 per person.
Outdoor seating welcomes dogs, high chairs are available, and reservations are accepted. Delivery and takeout help on nights when everyone is too tired to sit down.
9. Don Cheques Taquería | Mexican, Meridian, MS
Seven days a week, Don Cheques opens its doors at 10:30 AM, a rare schedule that makes Sunday family lunches easy in Meridian. Sunday afternoon is actually one of its busiest times, as families roll in together.
Tacos headline the menu, with birria tacos standing out for their rich, savory filling. Steak dishes come next, and the molcajete arrives in a stone bowl that looks impressive on any table.
Fajitas and nachos fajitas give groups something hearty to share, and portions are generous.
The dining room stays clean, cozy, and often quiet, which suits families with toddlers who need a calmer setting. Friendly servers move quickly, so meals do not drag on.
High chairs and a kids’ menu are on hand, and dogs are allowed in the outdoor area.
Closing time is 9 PM every day. Weekday evenings and Saturday midday bring steady crowds, so arriving a bit early helps.
Prices typically run $10 to $20 per person. Reservations are accepted, which is useful for birthday lunches or big family outings.
Takeout is available for road-trippers passing through on the interstate who want to eat on the go.
10. El Sombrero of Vicksburg, Vicksburg, MS
Walking into El Sombrero feels a bit like entering a rustic Mexican village. The roomy dining space is decorated with village-style details, giving kids plenty to look at while waiting for food.
Space is the big advantage here. Large families and birthday groups fit comfortably, and the restaurant is known as a good choice for kids’ birthday celebrations.
Outdoor seating adds another option on pleasant Vicksburg evenings.
The menu is large. Jalisco fajitas and combination fajitas lead the sizzling choices, while tacos al carbon, street tacos, fish tacos, tamales, and chile colorado cover the classics.
A vegetarian Azteca salad and a full vegetarian menu help families with different needs. Portions run huge, so sharing works well.
Hours run 11 AM to 10 PM Monday through Thursday, until 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday, and until 9:30 PM on Sunday. Late-night food is available, a plus after a long day touring the Vicksburg National Military Park nearby.
Friday and Saturday evenings get busiest. Expect around $10 to $20 per person.
High chairs, a kids’ menu, and reservations are all available, and parking is plentiful at Cypress Centre.
11. Los Peppers Mexican Restaurant, Kiln, MS
Kiln is a small town, which makes this colorful Mexican kitchen on Highway 603 an even better find. Families in Hancock County and travelers heading toward the coast can count on it for a satisfying meal any day of the week.
Birria tacos are the star, served alongside authentic dishes and street tacos. Seafood fans should look for the shrimp and crabmeat dish, a nod to the nearby Gulf.
Plenty of comfort food fills out the menu for kids who want something familiar.
Doors open at 10:30 AM every day and close at 9:30 PM, including Sunday, so weekend plans stay flexible. Tuesday and Friday evenings bring the biggest crowds, while Thursday mornings are the quietest time to visit.
The vibe is casual and cozy, with sports often playing for anyone wanting to catch a game. High chairs and a kids’ menu make family dinners simple.
Prices fall around $10 to $20 per person, which helps when feeding a whole crew. Curbside pickup and takeout work well for families grabbing dinner after a day outdoors, and the free parking lot usually has open spots right out front.