The One Small Town In Mississippi With Delicious BBQ On Every Corner
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published June 06, 2022
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Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
BBQ joints are abundant in Mississippi. That seems to be especially true for one town in particular – and that town is Tupelo. Great BBQ food can be found on just about every corner, and that’s part of the reason Tupelo is consistently revered as one of the best small towns for foodies.
We know what you’re thinking: Tupelo isn’t a small town.
Yes, in Mississippi terms, Tupelo, which has about 40,000 residents, is on the larger side. However, in comparison to cities in other states, it qualifies as a small town.
Plus, Tupelo’s culinary scene is just too good to ignore!
While Tupelo is best known as the birthplace of Elvis Presley, that’s not its only claim to fame. It also boasts a "constantly changing" food scene. The concentration of great restaurants hasn’t gone unnoticed, either. Tupelo’s been named one of the "7 Small Towns in the U.S. That Are Secret Food Destinations" – and that’s just one of the accolades it’s received over the years.
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You can find just about any fare in Tupelo, but there’s no denying that BBQ reigns supreme. There are tons of great BBQ joints in Tupelo, including Clay’s House of Pig.
One of Tupelo’s favorite BBQ restaurants isn’t actually a restaurant. Technically, it’s a bait-shop-turned-BBQ-joint. Don’t let the unusual location deter you, though. The slow-smoked BBQ topped the 2019 readers’ poll in Mississippi Magazine as the best in the state.
Serving up "the healthiest soul food in the country," Kermit’s is a farm-to-table restaurant that specializes in carnivore-centric dishes, including mouthwatering BBQ.
Okay, so Neon Pig Café isn't technically a BBQ restaurant, but since it’s a restaurant and butcher shop in one, it serves up some of the freshest hunks of meat around. It’s also home of the Smash Burger, the best burger in America.
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If you prefer your BBQ with live music and craft beers, Tupelo’s Blue Canoe is for you!
Though the menu includes mostly hands-on bar food, Blue Canoe does serve a few BBQ dishes, including BBQ shrimps and grits. Try not to fill up on the main course, though. Blue Canoe’s blueberry donut bread pudding is the best dessert in Mississippi, according to Mississippi Magazine.
Bar-B-Q by Jim is one of Tupelo’s longest-running BBQ joints. It’s been serving up its classic ‘cue for more than 20 years!
It’s not just a Tupelo landmark, though. Bar-B-Q by Jim is an official stop on Mississippi’s BBQ Trail.
So, did you know Tupelo had a bevy of BBQ joints? Ever visited any of the eateries mentioned above? If so, which ones and what’d you think? Did we miss your favorite Tupelo BBQ spot? Tell us!
Looking for more must-visit destinations in the Magnolia State for food fans? Then you’re sure to love this resort in Mississippi. A paradise for foodies, it boasts five incredible restaurants.
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