Summer travel season is upon us, and many of us will be headed south to the Gulf Coast, Alabama, or Florida beaches or other vacation spots between now and Labor Day. Here’s a valuable tip to file away and use anytime you’re on U.S. 49 South near Mendenhall and hunger strikes: B & B Meat Market and Deli. As the restaurant proudly advertises, they are “not a fast food restaurant!” However, their name doesn’t come close to illustrating my real reason for telling you about B & B.
Yes, you can grab smoked sausages, ribs, pork chops, hand-trimmed steaks, and other meaty delicacies for the cooler, but juicy, grilled-to-perfection, topped-with-special-sauce burgers are the real reason you should make a quick right turn onto MS-13. I promise, you’ll thank me afterwards.
Just four years after opening B & B’s less than 100 feet from Highway 49, Chris and Tanya Baeuerle have created a popular spot that combines a service meat market, deli, restaurant, and even a flower shop in one cozy space. Even more notable, made-from scratch burgers topped with a secret sauce have garnered the Mississippi Beef Council’s “Best Burger in Mississippi” award in 2017 and 2019.
I’m usually a bit skeptical about awards labeling a food item the “best,” especially when so many restaurants in the state do an admirable job of creating outstanding burgers. But once you bite into one of B & B’s burgers, you’ll understand why the accolades keep coming. Word of caution: make sure a supply of napkins is nearby. B & B’s burger patties are thick and juicy in and of themselves. Once the toppings and sauce are added, it’s a challenge, albeit a pleasant one, to keep everything together inside the over-sized bun.
Now that you know where to go for a great burger, here’s what to order. I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit that once I sampled the B & B burger, I’ve never been able to deviate from my favorite, the house burger. Here’s the reason why: The award-winning burger ($7) starts with a thick, juicy beef patty. I’m sure it would be delicious served solo on a plate. However, when tantalizing layers of lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayo, mustard, ketchup, and the piece de resistance – Tucker sauce – are added, it’s one of the best burgers I’ve ever tasted.
Before you ask, I have no idea what Tucker sauce consists of, and, as of now, its ingredients are not shared with its fans. Just trust me when I say, it elevates an already-divine burger to an entirely new hemisphere.
If, unlike me, you decide to try one of the other burgers on the menu, here’s what to expect.
The Sullivan burger ($7) is a spicier version of the B & B courtesy of jalapeno and cheese, while the rooster ($9) is topped with fried bacon and eggs and a dose of Tucker sauce. Other options are the Hoover ($8) which comes dressed and topped with grilled pineapple and more of the secret sauce, and the low-carb Broadhead ($6), a dressed beef patty sans bun. If you have plenty of napkins and a big appetite, try the Big Messy ($9). It’s a big burger containing a beef patty, homemade chili, cheese, onions, sliced jalapenos, and other toppings.
Not that you’ll need anything extra after sampling one of these jumbo burgers, but if you do, try the steak fries, onion rings, sweet potato fries, fried pickles, or chili cheese fries (all in $3 to $5 range).
It’s hard to imagine anyone making this choice after taking in the smoky aroma of a burger sizzling on the grill, but if you decide against ordering one, B & B’s has plenty of other options from which to choose.
Specialty dishes include the open-faced roast beef ($12), Texas toast piled high with sliced beef and homemade gravy. Accompanied by grilled onions, mushrooms, and fries, it’s a meal that comes close to one of B & B’s famous burgers.
Another good choice is an old-fashioned hamburger steak and gravy ($13). You’ll receive a large portion of ground chuck topped with gravy and onions, a side of fries, and yes, you read it right, a fried roll.
Chicken-lovers, take heart. There’s plenty of menu items containing your favorite food. First on the list is the grilled chicken sandwich ($9), a breast topped with fried bacon, provolone cheese, and dressed to your liking; chicken tender dinner ($8) that includes fried tenders with fries, Texas toast and dipping sauce; Asian tenders ($9), courtesy of a spicy sweet and sour sauce; chicken wrap ($8) filled with grilled tenders, vegetables, and sauce, and Aunt B fried chicken sandwich ($8), a crispy fried chicken breast topped with provolone cheese, chopped vegetables, and sauce.
Also on the menu are paninis ($7) filled with your choice of turkey or ham and salads ($4.99 and up) served vegetarian-style or topped with fried or grilled chicken, roast beef, turkey, or ham.
Daily lunch specials ($9.99) are served Monday through Thursday, with items rotating throughout the week. Barbecue plates ($11.99) are offered Friday and Saturday.
B & B’s offers to-go meals that can be called in as you’re traveling and picked up at the convenient location just off the highway. If you have a little time to spare, I recommend stopping in and enjoying a leisurely meal at the cozy, family-owned restaurant. As you sit and savor your meal, you’ll receive friendly service and be entertained by the mix of locals, tourists and assorted burger-lovers dining at wooden tables throughout the cheerful room.
And, a little shopping for specialty meats and food items, home decor, and flowers before or after your meal makes the experience even more enjoyable.
B & B’s is located 3084 Simpson Highway 13 in Mendenhall. The restaurant is closed on Sunday; open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. the remainder of the week. Call 601-847-6328 to order to-go items or to obtain information on the availability of specialty meat market and deli items.