The “Meat & Three” or Two, or Four … you pick.
Tallahatchie Gourmet
1221 Van Buren Ave, Oxford, MS 38655
(below Neilson’s Department Store)
What they’re sayin’: “There isn’t a thing on the menu that isn’t phenomenal.” TripAdvisor review
Price: $11.50 for meat & three
Menu: Static with daily specials
Specialties: Louisiana-style food, king cakes, pre-made freezer casseroles
Angele Mueller brought meat and three fare with a taste of Creole to the Square, and the good folk of Oxford can’t get enough of it. I’m a fan of her seasonal king cakes, but on the daily you can’t go wrong with the Plate Lunches, Shrimp and Grits, a delicious Shrimp Po’boy, or the Asian Ramen Salad. My Nana is also a huge fan of her freezer casseroles, perfect for any get-together or occasion where you might not want to get the kitchen messy.
Little Easy Catering
3 County Road 215, Oxford, MS 38655
(inside Little John’s Quick Stop)
What they’re sayin’: “Mmm … if you don’t know, then you just don’t know, but you better ask somebody.” Damein Wash via Facebook
Price: $6–8, depending on the meat entree
Menu: Weekly specials and daily desserts and specials
Specialties: Catering and tailgate orders available
When I first tried Little Easy’s blue plate lineup, I wasn’t quite sure what to do, and felt like the opposite of the “Okay, Boomer” memeification of my parents’ generation. I nervously asked what I could pick from, and between “Oh, honey, anything you want,” to “After two sides it’ll be double the price,” I understood I could select from a Fried Pork Loin, Baked Chicken, or Chicken & Dressing as well as two country vegetables. We sat down surrounded by some Oxford good ol’boys and oohed and aahed over how amazing that pork loin was; and it’s a complete meal for only $8.
Ajax Diner
118 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS 38655
(on The Square)
What they’re sayin’: “Everything fried and heavy but worth the sin.” Julie C.’s Yelp review
Price (Veggie Plate): $9/3 veggies, $12/4 veggies
Menu: Static with vegetable and soup of the day
Specialties: Is there just one? If you don’t want a Blue Plate, you can always go with a po’boy, catfish, chicken and dumplings, or a tasty cup of soup.
The walls are covered with Lamar Sorrentos and the ceiling with frilled toothpicks. There’s not a male server in the bunch, and they’ll all be your friends before cobbler is served. It’s not hard to understand why people love this little joint. It’s got red polyurethane upholstered booths, sticky tile floors, and a brass bar that shocks you from time to time, and it’s one of my top spots. Randy Yates owns the Oxford cult favorite, and he couldn’t be more thankful it has weathered 20-some-odd years in the Velvet Ditch. If you’re lucky, you’ll make it for Cheesy Artichoke Casserole day. Maybe one day Randy will put the Hot Tamale Pie on the lunch menu, just for me.
Larson’s Cash Saver
1936 E University Ave, Oxford, MS 38655
(Lunch Counter a.k.a. Bubba’s Kitchen – inside Oxford East Shopping Center)
What they’re sayin’: Where else can you get a full plate of food for … 4 dollars? It is truly incredible” Andrew M.’s Yelp review
Price: $4.75 for meat & two sides
Menu: Red Beans and Rice on Mondays, fried chicken and tenders, three types of cornbread, oh my!
Talk about bang for your buck. After much urging, I finally made my way to Larson’s Deli, also known as Bubba’s Kitchen, for a hot plate. I arrived at a full line of hungry humans at 12:30 pm, even after urging from friends to get there around 11 am. My favorite part was being offered a bread selection of three different types of cornbread OR a roll. Jalapeno and cheese, sweet cornbread, regular plain cornbread, or a roll. Man alive, get yourself here.
Moe’s Original BBQ
311 S Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655
(on The Square)
What they’re sayin’: “Good food, good people, and just a good vibe. 10/10.” Maddi F.’s Google review
Price: Around $11–15 per person for meat & two, not quite a traditional blue plate
Menu: BBQ, sandwiches, platters + 2 veggies
Specialties: Rotating daily sides, cornbread that’ll blow your mind
I had no idea what to expect for a lunch time meal at Moe’s. I’ve enjoyed the Moe’s Penny Bar on many occasions, Bushwackers with extra cherries on top in hand. But the lunch at Moe’s was delightfully different. Not your traditional meat and three or blue plate, you have the option of a po’boy + 2 sides or a platter + 2 sides. Sides rotate daily, and every single one I had left me wanting more—hashbrown casserole and jambalaya—perfectly complimented my fried shrimp and homemade skillet-toasted cornbread.
Mama Jo’s
1503 Old Hwy 7 N, Oxford, MS 38655
(at the “Three-Way”)
What they’re sayin’: “Tip: Call ahead for a burger cooked to order and don’t miss out on the cornbread dressing if she has it!”
Price: $7–8, depending on dessert
Menu: changes daily, you can call ahead and ask
Specialties: Soul food
I’ve only been to Mama Jo’s once—it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, but was pretty much as promised: soul food made from scratch. It feels like you’ve stepped back in time to another place when you walk in. And they’re right about the dressing—it’s amazing.
B’s Hickory Smoke BBQ
825 College Hill Rd, Oxford, MS 38655
(in Skymart)
What they’re sayin’: “Some of the best BBQ you will ever find, and in a gas station, of all places.” Matt C. from Yelp
Price: Depends on your meat; plan on $8-16
Menu: Full range BBQ with Southern sides
Specialties: Pulled pork and brisket
There’s a reason it was hard for Lamar Lounge to make it in Oxford, or any BBQ restaurant for that matter. The amount of stout and consistent local BBQ eats is just out of this world. If you want the affordable option with the widest variety and no frills, B’s is your place. From brisket to ribs, wings, turkey legs, and their signature pulled pork, you won’t go hungry.
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