There’s nothing quite like biting into a juicy hamburger.
Whether you like French fries, tater tots, or onion rings on the side, it’s the taste and texture of the burger that delights the palette with a savory kick.
We all have our own favorite places to get burgers.
The question is this: where can you find the best burgers in Mississippi?
Today in Mississippi decided to venture out across our state to highlight some locations that are known for the quality of their beef patties.
Apologies in advance: there’s nothing definitive about the list. If we left off your favorite burger joint, email us or join us on social media to tell us which places should have made the list.
For those who want to discover “new to them” burger places, keep our story handy for your next burger trek.
It’s always worth the drive for a good hamburger, right?
Zip’s Café
405 Pinola Dr. • Magee
601-849-3385
There’s nothing fancy about Zip’s Café in Magee. Fancy has never been the point of this family restaurant. Good tasting food, on the other hand, is always on the menu of this burger institution.
That institution is representative in the Big Zip Burger, a very large, 8 ounce beef patty with Zip’s sauce (Ed. We’re not telling) and all the toppings you can imagine.
The waiters will tell you to order the onion rings or their breaded fries. Although both choices are winners, those breaded fries are something special.
Chris Dunn, the current owner of the restaurant, is the original owner’s grandson. Zeke “Zip” Windham first opened the restaurant in 1963 downtown. The restaurant was moved to its current location near the edge of Highway 49 in 1978.
“Our patties are hand cut fresh every day,” Dunn said.
Dunn said the cooks will customize your burger any way you want. Members of the Magee Fire Department are big fans of Zip’s burger with an egg and grilled jalapenos — dubbed The Fire House Burger, in tribute to the guys who run into burning buildings and rescue cats from tree branches high in the sky.
The burgers at Zip’s are so good, the Mississippi Beef Council and the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association took notice and awarded the establishment with their annual Best Burger in Mississippi Award in 2022 and 2016.
Members of the Magee Fire Department are big fans of Zip’s burger with an egg and grilled jalapenos — dubbed The Fire House Burger, in tribute to the guys who run into burning buildings and rescue cats from tree branches high in the sky.
PDI (Phillip’s Drive-in)
330 S. Magnolia St. • Laurel
601-426-2265
As you round the corner of the Phillip’s Drive-In drive-thru in Laurel, look up at the big red sign just above the menu.
The sign says, “Home of America’s Best Burgers.”
That’s a mighty big brag for a small-town Mississippi burger joint, but they just might be close.
Known as “PDI” by everyone in town, the drive-in first opened as a Dairy Queen in 1948 and became PDI in 1962 when franchise owner Joe Phillips wanted a place with his name. The drive-in has been run for years by the Phillips and Beard families.
Back then, PDI was the place for teens to hang out and grab burgers and milkshakes.
Brittany Smith, PDI’s general manager, said those same teenagers — all grown up now — come back to PDI for their favorite burgers and shakes today.
“I would say a lot of our clientele is older — from the same generation that hung out here when they were younger. A lot of local couples,” Smith said.
I would say a lot of our clientele is older — from the same generation that hung out here when they were younger. A lot of local couples.
Not all of PDI’s customers are members of the AARP. PDI is a favorite of Laurel couple Ben and Erin Napier, hosts of the HGTV smash, “Home Town.”
According to Southern Living magazine, Ben Napier is partial to the Jumbo No. 3 Dressed Hamburger (mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles) with a side of tots, while Erin Napier prefers a No.1 Burger (ketchup, mustard, pickles, onions) and a Sprite with crushed cherries.
Known for their hamburgers and chiliburgers, Smith said PDI grinds their beef and makes fresh handmade patties every morning.
Smith said the drive-thru line will be long.
“We don’t cook it until you order it,” she said.
Smith promised the visit is worth the wait.
Nyla’s Burger Basket
1071 Mississippi Highway 51 • Osyka
601-542-5032
Right near the Mississippi/Louisiana line off Interstate 55, the tiny town of Osyka is home to one of the state’s best burgers.
Although known for their fried catfish and homemade onion rings, there’s a reason the name of the restaurant is Nyla’s Burger Basket.
“People always complement us on our burger. It’s consistent. It probably has to do with the seasoning. It all starts with the seasoning,” said Sherry Day, Nyla’s Burger Basket’s manager.
The ground meat is fresh, never frozen, and fried on a grill, Day said.
Nyla’s Burger Basket has been around for 40 years.
Day said Britney Spears often dined at the restaurant back in her Kentwood, Louisiana days.
“I always tell everyone who visits that they are going to be pleased,” Day said.
Crestview Dairy Bar
102 Mississippi Highway 16 • Carthage
601-267-9191
Crestview Dairy Bar in Carthage celebrated 73 years in business in March of this year.
Crestview Co-Manager Laura Crowe’s grandmother opened the restaurant in 1950 after original plans for a milk route didn’t work out.
Known for their fresh ground hamburgers, Crowe said the taste of the burgers has been the same since 1950.
The secret? It might be the breadcrumbs, Crowe said.
“We grind up the bread ourselves,” Crowe said.
The longevity of this family business is probably due to the one thing that always lures customers back to a place like this — great burgers.
Cheeseburgers in Paradise
Here’s a list of 12 other great burgers in Mississippi:
The Neon Pig • 1203 N. Gloster St. • Tupelo • 662-269-2533
Edd’s Drive-In • 3834 Market St. • Pascagoula • 228-762-2177
R House • 2421 Highway 98 E. • Columbia • 601-674-2021
Highway 41 Fish and Steak House • 4390 Mississippi 41 • Pontotoc • 662-489-5640
Acy Grocery & Deli • 26730 Mississippi 430 S. • Greenwood • 662-453-2752
Hall of Fame • 54 Dover Rd. • Bentonia/Little Yazoo • 662-755-8330
Kenoy’s • 4125 Friar’s Point Rd. • Clarksdale • 662-624-9030
Roux 61 • 453 U.S. 61 • Natchez • 601-445-0004
Sidestreet Burgers • 9199 Mississippi 178 • Olive Branch • 901-596-4749
Rebel Dip • • 12399 U.S. 49 • Gulfport • 228-832-4165
Roy’s Store • • 7 Roy’s Store Rd. • Chatham • 662-827-2588
Magnolia Blues BBQ Co. • • 218 S. Whitworth Ave. • Brookhaven • 601-990-2366
Classic Beef Cheeseburgers
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (93% lean or leaner)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons steak seasoning blend
- 4 hamburger buns, split
- 4 slices cheese (such as Cheddar, American, Swiss, etc.)
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 4 tomato slices
Toppings
- Ketchup, mustard, onion slices, pickle slices (optional)
Directions
Combine ground beef and steak seasoning in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Lightly shape into four 1/2-inch thick patties.
Place patties on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 8 to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 7 to 9 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160 degrees, turning occasionally. About 2 minutes before burgers are done, place buns, cut sides down, on grid. Grill until lightly toasted. During last minute of grilling, top each burger with cheese slice.
Line bottom of each bun with lettuce; top with tomato, burger, and toppings, as desired. Close sandwiches.
Cooks Tip
To prepare on stovetop, heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Place patties in skillet; cook 12 to 15 minutes until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160 degrees, turning occasionally.
Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.
— Mississippi Beef Council
