This MS BBQ restaurant is best in state for 2026, Southern Living says. Here’s why it’s great
A Mississippi Coast restaurant recently earned the “best in the state” title for its barbecue, according to Southern Living readers.
The Shed Barbecue & Blues Joint is a family-owned, 9,570 square-foot restaurant located in Ocean Springs that embraces “old school, down-home southern, tacky charm,” according to the restaurant’s website.
It was Southern Living’s readers’ choice for having the best barbecue in the entire Magnolia State, according to the magazine.
“Thank you Southern Living for recognizing the hard work and dedication our amazing crew puts forth every day,” restaurant staff said in a March 12 post on Facebook. “We are blessed to have such an amazing work family and phenomenal guests that visit us from all over the globe to ‘get fed at The Shed.’”
Here’s why the restaurant is a standout.
What makes The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint the best?
The Shed is a spot where locals can enjoy a one-of-a-kind culinary journey in a quirky environment with gravel floors, signed dollar bills pinned to the ceilings and other flea market memorabilia spread throughout the restaurant.
Live blues on Friday and Saturday nights along with the excellent food bring in folks from all across the South.
“The barbecue itself lived up to the billing. The ribs were unbelievably tender and tasteful,” the Sun Herald reported on a May 2024 visit to the restaurant.
Favorite menu items: Pecan-smoked baby back ribs, pulled pork, brisket and chicken wings
Awards: 3X Grand Champion, from The Memphis
Address: 7501 MS-57, Ocean Springs, MS 39565
Website: theshedbbq.com
Where are the best barbecue spots in neighboring states?
These are the best barbecue joints in the states surrounding Mississippi, according to Southern Living:
- Louisiana: The Joint in New Orleans
- Arkansas: Wright’s Barbecue in Johnson
- Tennessee: Peg Leg Porker in Nashville
- Alabama: Dreamland Bar-B-Que in Tuscaloosa
How did magazine find the best barbecue in each state?
Southern Living’s survey was conducted by Proof Insights, a market research consultancy, from Jul. 9 to Sept. 9, 2025 and asked more than 17,000 readers to rate their favorite places across the South, according to the magazine.
