Gather 'Round The Table At The Dinner Bell, A Beloved Restaurant In McComb, Mississippi, Packed With History, Love, And Delicious Southern Cooking
By Courtnie Erickson|Published June 14, 2024
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
There is nothing as comforting and delicious as Southern cooking and located in the heart of McComb, Mississippi, is one of the best southern restaurants — The Dinner Bell. This restaurant is more than just a delicious place to eat with a fabulous vibe, it’s a destination packed with history and boasts a unique serving style. In fact, The Dinner Bell in McComb, Mississippi deserves a spot on every dining bucket list.
Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our 2024 Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.
There are certain restaurants where you go simply for the food or the fun and relaxing vibe, but then there are others that truly stand out and are impossible to forget. The Dinner Bell certainly falls into the latter category -- though it's also full of fabulous food and friendly vibes. Here, you’ll enjoy a round-table buffet tradition that began more than 80 years ago.
The Dinner Bell got its start in New Orleans with an 18-seat table where strangers sat down together but left as friends. It quickly gained popularity. Eventually, this restaurant moved to its present location in 1959, where many more tables were added that could seat 12 to 18 guests.
The Dinner Bell in McComb was established inside a home built between 1921 and 1923 by John White, a member of the prestigious White family. The home had many luxury details from molded ceilings to ceramic tile flooring and Belgian face curtains.
This Mississippi restaurant has changed owners throughout its many years but each one has continued the round-table tradition. Today when you visit, you’ll still enjoy family-style, all-you-can-eat Southern food served on a giant lazy Susan. This is the type of place where you’ll feel like you are gathered at your grandma’s kitchen table with friends and family.
“Around our tables, people discover that we are all more alike than we are different,” Davis says.
While The Dinner Bell’s history and unique serving style are certainly going to capture your attention, the food will also have you coming back time and time again. The Dinner Bell serves lunch Wednesday through Sunday and the menu changes daily.
You’ll also find a wide assortment of sides to complement each main dish such as green beans, mashed potatoes, rice and gravy, and more.
And to top it all off, there is always an assortment of desserts to satisfy every sweet tooth. On Sundays, the menu is enhanced and you’ll find even more sides and dessert choices on the table.
But it isn’t just the long list of options that make this restaurant unique, it’s also the quality of the food. Each day, food preparation begins by 7 a.m., and even earlier on the holidays. The food is prepared by hand and the chefs have years of experience in the kitchen.
Davis says that throughout the years, the food and the atmosphere have brought joy to numerous individuals who have sat at their large dining room tables.
“I define success by the number of smiles we've put on people’s faces over the years. Our success can be attributed to consistency and listening to our customers. Treat them like family.”
And you’ll certainly feel like family as you sit down at the large tables and dive into a delicious Southern meal. This is one place to eat where you'll be glad to pull up a seat.
Many thanks to The Dinner Bell owner Roman Davis (Andre) for sharing the story of this small business in Mississippi. Learn more and support this iconic Mississippi restaurant by visiting The Dinner Bell website and The Dinner Bell Facebook page.
Of course, The Dinner Bell is one of many amazing businesses in Mississippi that’s doing great things in the state. If you have another business you’d like to see profiled on Only In Mississippi, please nominate them for a chance to be featured. And be sure to follow Only In Mississippi on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the know on the state’s events, restaurants, local businesses, and hidden gems.
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