The Overflowing Seafood Plates At This Mississippi Deli Stop At 6 PM, So Bring Cash And Come Early

A shrimp po’boy so stuffed that the shrimp tumble out before the first bite sounds like a tall tale, but it happens every day along the Mississippi coast. The spot serving it is a tiny walk-up window that is easy to drive right past.

Families who find it leave with plates so full the lids barely shut, and often enough food for a second meal. Knowing a few simple rules before you go, like carrying cash and arriving early, makes the trip much smoother.

A Walk-Up Window on Pass Road

Tucked along Pass Road in Gulfport, Ben’s Deli is a small, plain building with an order window and not much else on the outside. Drivers heading through town often miss it entirely, even when they are looking for it.

Inside the kitchen, though, a steady stream of po’boys, seafood platters, fried rice, and burgers gets packed into takeout containers all day long. Locals have been lining up at that window for years, and some say they have been regulars for more than a decade.

The draw is simple: big food, low prices, and quick service.

Families should know right away that it works as a takeout stop rather than a sit-down restaurant. You order at the window, wait for your food, and then either grab a spot at the outdoor picnic tables or carry your meal somewhere else.

There is no indoor dining room.

The full address is 1412 Pass Rd, Gulfport, MS 39501, and the phone number is 228-214-4099. Calling ahead is allowed, which helps a lot when you are traveling with hungry kids in the back seat.

A quick call can turn a long wait into a fast pickup, and that small step can save the whole afternoon.

How a Tiny Deli Built a Loyal Following

Word of mouth did most of the work here. With no fancy sign and no dining room, Ben’s Deli grew its reputation through people telling friends about the size of the portions and the fair prices.

Visitors often describe coming in after hearing about the place for years, then finally trying it and understanding the fuss. One regular even said the deli deserves a spot on a TV show about small hometown restaurants.

That kind of loyalty usually comes from consistency, and many longtime customers say the food has stayed dependable over time.

Plenty of folks drive in from nearby Gulf Coast towns just for a platter. Some have eaten their meal in the car at a gas station because the weather turned bad and there was no indoor seating.

That tells you how much they wanted the food.

For parents, this background matters because it explains the crowds. A place this small with this many fans can get busy, especially on Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Monday mornings tend to be calmer, which makes them a smart choice for families who prefer short lines and less waiting around with restless little ones.

Shrimp Po’Boys That Spill Over

Shrimp falling out all over the place is the most common way people describe the po’boy here. One first-time visitor said you could see the shrimp right through the wrapper before even opening it.

The po’boys come in 6-inch or 12-inch sizes, and the fillings pile high above the bread. Shrimp and oyster versions get the most attention, though you can also split the sandwich half fish and half shrimp.

Many fans say these are some of the best po’boys on the Gulf Coast for the price.

Not every opinion lines up perfectly. A few diners mention the seasoning can be light or that the bread is softer than a classic New Orleans loaf.

Keeping a little salt and pepper handy fixes the seasoning issue for most people.

For families, the 6-inch size is a great starting point for older kids, while a 12-inch sandwich can easily be split between two younger eaters. Expect some mess.

Grab extra napkins at the window, because loose shrimp have a way of ending up in laps, car seats, and everywhere in between. A plate or tray underneath helps catch the overflow.

Seafood Platters Held Shut With Rubber Bands

Rubber bands around takeout lids have become something of a trademark. Longtime customers joke that the platters are so full the containers cannot close without help.

A fried seafood platter can include shrimp, fish, oysters, stuffed crab, fries, hush puppies, potato salad, and a bun. You can also order half shrimp and half oysters, or half shrimp and half fish.

Diners describe the hush puppies as soft and the potato salad as on the sweet side.

One first-timer said she ate half her platter at lunch and saved the rest for dinner. That pattern shows up again and again.

A single plate often stretches into two meals, which is handy on a road trip day.

Parents can think of one platter as a shareable spread. A couple of kids can split the shrimp and fries while an adult tackles the oysters or stuffed crab.

Because everything comes packed tight, bring a bag or box to keep the container level in the car. A sudden stop could turn a neat lid into a seafood surprise on the floor mat, and nobody wants to clean that up after a long drive.

Fried Rice, Lo Mein, and Egg Rolls

Seafood might get top billing, yet fried rice quietly earns almost as much praise. Shrimp fried rice and pork fried rice both have devoted fans, and some locals call the pork version the best in town.

Lo mein and egg rolls round out this side of the menu. Pairing a po’boy with a container of fried rice is a popular move, and it gives picky eaters an easy option that still feels like a treat.

Even a diner who was unhappy with other items said the shrimp fried rice stood out.

This mix of Southern seafood and Asian-style dishes makes the menu more flexible for families. A child who does not like fried fish might happily eat a bowl of lo mein.

Teens who want something heartier can try fried rice alongside a sandwich.

Portions here follow the same generous rule as the rest of the menu. Ordering one fried rice for the table to share is often enough, especially if you already have a platter or two coming.

Start small, see how far it stretches, and remember you can always walk back to the window if the crew is still hungry before the cutoff.

Cash in Hand Before You Arrive

Cards stay in your wallet at Ben’s Deli because they will not be accepted. The window takes cash only, and this rule comes up more than any other detail from visitors.

Many first-timers learn this the hard way and have to drive off to find an ATM. Regulars suggest stopping at a bank or gas station machine on your way there so you are not stuck at the front of the line.

Having small bills makes the exchange faster too.

Fortunately, prices are often described as very reasonable for the amount of food. Several customers call the deli surprisingly cheap given the portion sizes, and they say you get your money’s worth with every full plate.

That is good news when you are feeding a family on a travel budget.

Parents can use the cash rule to their advantage. Set a firm amount before the trip and let older kids help count out the payment.

It turns a simple stop into a quick lesson in budgeting. Bring a little extra in case someone decides at the last second that they really do need an extra side of hush puppies, fried rice, or an egg roll for the road.

Timing Around the 6 PM Cutoff

Posted hours run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with Sundays closed. Still, recent visitors say orders stop around 6 p.m., so the real window for dinner is shorter than it looks.

Showing up at 6:15 with a carload of hungry kids is not a plan anyone wants. Aim for lunch or an early supper instead.

Friday and Saturday afternoons bring the biggest crowds, while Monday mornings are usually much quieter.

Service is often called quick, and wait times stay short even when it is busy. Some customers mention being handed a little beeper that buzzes when food is ready.

That small feature lets you wait at a picnic table or in the car instead of hovering by the window.

Calling in your order ahead of time is the best shortcut. The deli accepts phone orders at 228-214-4099, and regulars recommend ordering ahead because it is pickup only.

Delivery apps are not an option, according to fans who wish they were. For traveling families, a quick call from the road can mean pulling up, paying, and getting back on schedule with a warm meal in minutes.

Picnic Tables and a No-Frills Setting

Order at the window, eat at the picnic tables. One visitor summed up the setup in exactly those words, and it fits.

The building is small and plain, with a slightly funky feel that some customers enjoy. There is no dining room, and parking is limited and a bit improvised.

One regular described it as a get-in-where-you-fit-in kind of lot, so patience helps.

Families should plan for one important detail. There is no restroom on site, which can be a big deal with toddlers or kids in potty training.

Make a stop before you arrive so nobody is caught off guard.

Service gets mixed comments. Many people call the staff friendly and fast, while a few found the person at the window brisk or rushed.

Knowing what you want before you reach the front tends to keep things easy. Having the order decided in the car works well with kids, too.

On a nice day, the outdoor tables make a simple lunch spot. When weather turns, takeout lets you head to a nearby park or back to your hotel with dinner in hand, ready to eat wherever is comfortable for your crew.

Finding the Building Without Missing It

Missing the turn is almost a rite of passage. Even folks searching carefully for the deli have driven right past the small building.

One helpful tip from a visitor: if you are heading west on Pass Road, slow down when you see Elliott Homes on the right side. Ben’s Deli sits right next door.

Using a map app with the address, 1412 Pass Rd, also helps, but keep your eyes open for the landmark.

Parking is tight, so having a passenger hop out to grab the food can save time when the lot is full. If you called ahead, one adult can run to the window while the rest of the family waits in the car with the air conditioning running.

Gulfport sits right on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, which makes this stop easy to fold into a beach day or a drive along the shoreline. Grabbing an overflowing platter to go and then heading to a spot by the water turns a quick meal into a small family outing.

Just remember the cash, the early cutoff, and the restroom stop before you leave, and the rest of the plan practically takes care of itself.