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.

Visit Mississippi/Flickr 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!

Visit Mississippi/Flickr 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.

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.

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John Crowley/Google 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. C.H.O.P. Clay’s House Of Pig, 205 S Veterans Memorial Blvd, Tupelo, MS 38804, USA

Kermit’s Soul Kitchen is another top-notch BBQ joint in Tupelo.

Mitch Rutherford/Google

Kermit’s Soul Kitchen/Facebook 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. Kermit’s Soul Kitchen, 124 W Main St, Tupelo, MS 38804, USA

Some of the best restaurants in Tupelo are hiding in plain sight. That’s certainly the case with Neon Pig Café, which is nestled in a shopping center.

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MacJennings/Google 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. Neon Pig Tupelo, 1203 N Gloster St f, Tupelo, MS 38804, USA

If you prefer your BBQ with live music and craft beers, Tupelo’s Blue Canoe is for you!

lisa bechtel maxwell/Google

Blue Canoe/Facebook 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. Blue Canoe, 2006 N Gloster St, Tupelo, MS 38804, USA

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!

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Bar-B-Q by Jim, LLC/Facebook It’s not just a Tupelo landmark, though. Bar-B-Q by Jim is an official stop on Mississippi’s BBQ Trail. Bar-B-Q By Jim, 203 Commerce St, Tupelo, MS 38804, USA

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!

Visit Mississippi/Flickr

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.

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.

google.com

John Crowley/Google

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.

C.H.O.P. Clay’s House Of Pig, 205 S Veterans Memorial Blvd, Tupelo, MS 38804, USA

Mitch Rutherford/Google

Kermit’s Soul Kitchen/Facebook

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.

Kermit’s Soul Kitchen, 124 W Main St, Tupelo, MS 38804, USA

google.com

MacJennings/Google

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.

Neon Pig Tupelo, 1203 N Gloster St f, Tupelo, MS 38804, USA

lisa bechtel maxwell/Google

Blue Canoe/Facebook

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.

Blue Canoe, 2006 N Gloster St, Tupelo, MS 38804, USA

Bar-B-Q by Jim, LLC/Facebook

It’s not just a Tupelo landmark, though. Bar-B-Q by Jim is an official stop on Mississippi’s BBQ Trail.

Bar-B-Q By Jim, 203 Commerce St, Tupelo, MS 38804, USA

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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