Local

From biscuits to Buc-ee’s: 7 must-visit 2025 Mississippi ventures

Stories by Biloxi SunHerald journalists, with AI summarization

Mississippi's culinary and retail landscape continues to diversify, driven by large-scale developments and creative local ventures. Anchored by the highly anticipated opening of Buc-ee’s, a travel center projected to attract millions annually, infrastructure upgrades and new commercial spaces are spurring further investment.

Simultaneously, a surge in distinctive dining experiences—from Vicious Biscuit's bold brunch offerings and Luckies Diner's nostalgic burgers to El Fornino's wood-fired Italian fare—demonstrates a growing appetite for both tradition and innovation. Regional entrepreneurs and restaurateurs are capitalizing on community roots and cultural flair, infusing new energy into formerly quiet locales. Fast-casual sliders, upscale pizza, and reinvented king cake pop-ups reflect broader trends of quality, character, and scale reshaping Mississippi’s economic and culinary identity.

Work continues on the construction of Buc-ee’s in Harrison County on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. By Hannah Ruhoff

NO. 1: IS BUC-EE’S A ONE-SHOT WONDER FOR SOUTH MISSISSIPPI OR WILL MORE BUSINESSES FOLLOW?

The focus has been to get the new bridge and Buc-ee’s travel center open along I-10 in South Mississippi. Now it’s time to go after more business for that area of Harrison County. | Published January 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

The specialty custard shakes at newly opened Savvy Sliders in Gulfport, Mississippi. By Scott Watkins

NO. 2: NEW GULFPORT SLIDER RESTAURANT OPENS TO HUGE CROWDS WEDNESDAY. HERE’S WHAT PEOPLE SAID

“Outstanding.” Savvy Sliders impressed on opening day in Gulfport. | Published February 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Scott Watkins

Restauranteur Robert St. John unloads Loblolly Bakery king cakes from a truck for a Gulfport popup for the bakery on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. The popup was set up outside the future home of the Downtowner, St. John’s future restaurant in downtown Gulfport. By Hannah Ruhoff

NO. 3: KING CAKE POP-UP IS A PREVIEW TO THE DOWNTOWNER RESTAURANT COMING TO SOUTH MS

Renowned Mississippi chef Robert St. John brought his king cakes to Gulfport, where he plans to open The Downtowner later this year. He sold out of 150 of them in about 30 minutes. | Published February 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

A rendering shows the orange and black color scheme of Smalls Sliders, a restaurant coming to the Biloxi beach. By City of Biloxi

NO. 4: NEW RESTAURANT IS COMING TO SOUTH MISSISSIPPI BEACH SITE WHERE CAJUN’S ONCE OPERATED

A shipping container will drop soon in an empty lot, with a slider restaurant to shortly follow. | Published February 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

The churros at El Fornino Pizzeria in Biloxi, Mississippi. By Scott Watkins

NO. 5: BILOXI HAS A BRAND NEW ITALIAN RESTAURANT OFF HIGHWAY 90. THE FOOD RATES 5 OUT OF 5 STARS

El Fornino combines wood-fired pizza and authentic Italian entrees. | Published March 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Scott Watkins

The Luckies Diner Choice Burger at Luckies Diner in Vancleave, Mississippi. By Scott Watkins

NO. 6: A 5-STAR MEAL: FOLKS ARE RAVING ABOUT MS COAST’S NEW ‘50S-STYLE DINER, AND NOW I KNOW WHY

Here’s how a new family-owned restaurant proves going back to a simple classic is sometimes needed. | Published March 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Scott Watkins

Breakfast served at new brunch restaurant Vicious Biscuit in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. By Scott Watkins

NO. 7: FIRST VICIOUS BISCUIT IN MS IS THRIVING. IS IT WORTH THE DRIVE ... AND THE WAIT?

We made the trip up Highway 49 for biscuits. Here’s whether or not you should, too. | Published April 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Scott Watkins

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.