For some, it’s about the crispiness. For others, it’s about the seasoning.
When it comes to the culinary delights of one of the Deep South’s most basic staples, everyone can agree to disagree on their favorite fried chicken.
When diners get a serious hankering for the golden-brown deliciousness of fried chicken, an hour or two drive to satisfy that craving isn’t unreasonable. In fact, a weekend trip scheduled around a visit to a specific fried chicken locale is essential foodie operating procedure.
Even though there is nothing definitive about the following list, Today in Mississippi attempted to come up with a guide to some of the best fried chicken in the state.
Is your favorite fried chicken joint missing? Please take to social media and let us know in the Facebook comments about the error of our ways.
But for now, keep this story handy in case an overwhelming craving hits you, and you want to venture out on the highways and back roads of Mississippi for a taste of the best fried chicken the state has to offer.
Mr. D’s Old Country Store
18801 Highway 61 • Lorman • 601-437-3661
The 140-year-old building that houses The Old Country Store in Lorman was once a bus depot, post office, and train station.
Today, the building is a restaurant that serves some of the best fried chicken in America. The best fried chicken in America? Well, that’s the opinion of journalists and foodies from Southern Living magazine and The Food Network.
In fact, Mr’s D’s owner and operator Arthur Davis, 77, said an article about his place in the July 2006 issue of Southern Living changed his life.
“A picture can change your life. I can’t tell you how many people started coming here after it published asking to see the man in the tie and apron,” Davis said recently before a lunch crowd gathered in the store.
In that photo, Davis was wearing an apron and tie, and to this day, he still does, seven days a week.
When you arrive at Mr. D’s, you will see a sign directing you to the bathroom to wash your hands. If you don’t see the sign and Davis eyes you heading straight for a table, he will kindly and politely direct you back to the bathroom. And don’t think of skipping the hand sanitizer he wants you to use before grabbing a plate and walking to the buffet.
It’s all worth it though once you taste the chicken.
A picture can change your life. I can’t tell you how many people started coming here after it published asking to see the man in the tie and apron.
“It was my grandmother’s recipe,” he said.
Davis said Oprah Winfrey, Matthew McConaughey, and many Mississippi governors have professed their love of the chicken following visits.
Davis, originally from Florida, bought the building after spotting it when dropping off his sons at nearby Alcorn State University. At first, he held social events for the college kids there on Thursday nights. Then he decided to turn the store into a restaurant and opened in December 1999.
The restaurant tables are surrounded by the store – shelves and shelves of any kind of antique item you can think of, as well as business cards pinned to the shelves from years of visitors.
“Everything in here is for sale. Including me,” Davis said with a smile.
And if you happen to dine at Mr. D’s with a woman, prepare for the singing.
“I like to cut up and have fun,” Davis said.
Davis will serenade your table while you’re enjoying his chicken and soul food sides.
“There are so many beautiful women who come here each day. Why would I want to be anywhere else?”
Thelma’s Kitchen
1017 South Industrial Parkway • Yazoo City • 662-763-9188
To say Thelma’s Kitchen is a family restaurant is an understatement.
Owner Thelma Burks, 64, works at the restaurant with her son, three daughters, sister, and a family friend who is “just like a daughter” to the restaurant’s namesake.
The restaurant opened in 2017 after Burks ran a nearby chemical plant’s kitchen and a small snack bar in town that sold burgers, veggies, and fried chicken lunches for local farmers.
Burks came up with her fried chicken recipe while experimenting in her kitchen.
“I grabbed a sack of flour. I started seasoning it. That’s it really. Just old-fashioned fried chicken,” Burks said.
She said the batter seasoning is nothing special – salt and pepper plus two other seasonings she didn’t want to mention.
Thelma’s is also known for her pecan pie cake, Burks said.
I grabbed a sack of flour. I started seasoning it. That’s it really. Just old-fashioned fried chicken. Everything is cooked with love and prayer.
Thelma’s Kitchen is open six days a week from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fried chicken is on “the meat and three” menu everyday but Saturday, when she serves grilled chicken. She also includes fried catfish on Fridays and Sundays.
Why do people line up at Thelma’s Kitchen for lunch?
“Everything is cooked with love and prayer,” Burks said.
Jean’s
820 22nd Avenue • Meridian • 601-692-7042
Jean’s in downtown Meridian is a traditional Mississippi “meat and three” lunch spot that has been around for more than 40 years.
Jean’s owner Elic Purvis took over in 2019, updating the classic menu with farm-to-table local ingredients, but keeping Jean’s comfort food classics authentically Southern.
The most frequently ordered meat? The fried chicken.
“The secret to the chicken is we brine it with sweet tea. We’ve also tweaked that some,” Purvis said.
Purvis, 32, grew up in Meridian and grew up eating at Jean’s.
“We have a modern approach to classic Southern cooking here. But I promise, you are going to love our fried chicken,” Purvis said.
Golden Brown Goodness
Here’s a list of 11 other places that serve some of the best fried chicken in Mississippi:
4 CORNERS CHEVRON
(Chicken on a stick)
502 S. Lamar Blvd.
Oxford
662-234-0275
SPUD’S
104 MS-15 Unit B
Pontotoc
662-489-4444
HUCK’S PLACE
121 5th St. S.
Columbus
662-327-6500
SHORT STOP CAFÉ
8543 MS-178
Byhalia
662-838-2020
MISSISSIPPI FRIED CHICKEN & BAR-B-Q
518 Mississippi Dr.
Waynesboro
601-735-3302
DELI AT MARKET PLACE
410 West Park Ave.
Greenwood
662-453-3535
MOVIE STAR RESTAURANT
5209 Old Highway 11
Hattiesburg
601-265-0606
MAIN STREET CAFÉ
119 Main St.
Collins
601-765-3313
MOLTEN KOUNTRY KITCHEN
313 St. Francis St.
Leakesville
601-394-5411
DOUBLE QUICK
1410 W. 2nd St.
Clarksdale
662-627-2689
MS. AUDREY’S SOUTHERN KITCHEN
1316 30th Ave.
Gulfport
228-214-4287
Video Extra
Go to Today in Mississippi’s Facebook page to watch Mr. D’s owner Arthur Davis serenade a customer as she enjoys his famous fried chicken.
