There’s a reason travelers veer off I-55 and locals set alarms for lunchtime: The Dinner Bell in McComb is a soul-food rite of passage.
Housed in a stately brick home, this storied restaurant serves heaping platters around Lazy Susan tables that spark conversation as easily as they satisfy cravings.
With a 4.6-star rating and lines out the door before 11 AM, it’s a communal feast where strangers become tablemates.
If you’re hungry for crispy fried chicken, butter-soft vegetables, and Southern hospitality, read on—this is the lunch you’ll plan trips around.
A Storied Southern Gathering Place
Step inside The Dinner Bell, and you’re welcomed by the hum of voices sharing a family-style meal, whether kin or strangers. Set in a gracious brick home at 229 5th Ave, the dining room circles a celebrated Lazy Susan, spinning plates of Southern classics with ease.
The vibe is warm, bustling, and deeply communal, with attentive staff refilling bowls before they’re empty. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM, this is a lunch-only tradition with a loyal following.
Prices stay friendly, and the service—by all accounts—is as memorable as the food.
Lazy Susan Dining, Southern-Style
The Dinner Bell’s signature Lazy Susan turns lunch into a shared celebration. Platters rotate past eager hands, giving everyone a chance to try a little bit of everything—ribs slick with sauce, steak smothered in gravy, golden cornbread, and garden-fresh vegetables.
It’s interactive and unhurried, encouraging conversation as diners pass plates and swap stories. Reviewers adore the rhythm: servers top off the best-sellers so the spin never slows. For first-timers, it’s a joyous surprise; for regulars, it’s ritual.
Come hungry, share generously, and don’t be shy about another turn of the wheel.
Fried Chicken Worth the Drive
Ask any local what to order first and they’ll point to the fried chicken. Crackly-skinned and impossibly juicy, it anchors countless glowing reviews, with diners calling it amazing and worth an hour-and-a-half drive.
The seasoning sings, the crust shatters, and the meat stays tender as servers keep the platter replenished. It’s the kind of chicken that silences a table before sparking praise. Pair it with hot sauce, a forkful of greens, or a pillowy biscuit.
When the Lazy Susan spins, keep an eye out—this crowd favorite disappears fast, then returns, hot and fresh.
A Symphony of Southern Sides
Beyond the headliners, The Dinner Bell’s sides steal hearts. Think velvet-smooth sweet potatoes, peppery collard greens, black-eyed peas, lima beans, and a sunshine-bright corn salad for contrast. Rice and gravy comfort every plate while squash casserole adds creamy nostalgia.
Some reviewers note a sweeter touch to certain vegetables—a signature profile you’ll either love or simply balance with savory bites. The best part: refills arrive promptly, so you can compare, revisit, and find your perfect plate.
Southern sides here aren’t afterthoughts; they’re the supporting cast that makes the whole meal sing.
Hearty Mains for Every Craving
The Dinner Bell flexes beyond chicken with a roster of comforting mains. Saucy BBQ ribs arrive sticky and smoky, steak bathes in savory gravy, and chicken and dumplings deliver the soft, steamy solace Southerners crave.
Don’t miss the fried eggplant—light, crisp, and repeatedly praised by guests. Portions suit the communal style, encouraging you to take a sample, then circle back for favorites.
It’s generous, unfussy, and deeply satisfying—exactly what you want from a legacy lunch spot where flavor outranks fuss. Bring an appetite and an open mind; the Lazy Susan rewards curiosity.
Desserts and Sweet Finishes
Save room for dessert—the pies and sweet finishes at The Dinner Bell are local legend. Expect meringue-topped classics, pecan-studded slices, and seasonal cobblers that taste like family reunions. Reviewers rave about the dessert table’s variety and the just-baked freshness.
It’s the final flourish of a meal that leans nostalgic without feeling dated. Whether you favor chocolate silk or tart lemon, the sweets deliver balanced richness after the savory spread.
Consider splitting slices with your tablemates; it’s easier to sample widely when everyone shares. One more spin, one more slice—that’s the Dinner Bell way.
Practical Details for Your Visit
Plan ahead: The Dinner Bell is lunch-only, open Wednesday–Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM, and closed Monday–Tuesday. Arrive early to avoid waits, especially on Sundays.
Expect $10–20 per person for a generous, family-style feast. The address is 229 5th Ave, McComb, MS 39648; call +1 601-684-4883 or visit thedinnerbell.net for updates. With a 4.6-star rating and 600+ reviews, crowds are common.
Parking is straightforward, and seating is communal by design. If you have specific dietary needs, ask a server—they’re known for attentive, friendly help.
Why It Draws People From Miles Around
The pull of The Dinner Bell is equal parts food, service, and fellowship. Travelers and locals praise the attentive staff who refill favorites before you can ask, and the communal tables that turn strangers into lunchtime companions.
The menu hits every comfort note—fried chicken, ribs, vegetables, and pies—executed with steady, old-school skill. Reviews describe hour-plus drives that end in satisfied smiles. It’s a timeless ritual: arrive hungry, share generously, leave happy.
In a world of screens and solo meals, this McComb landmark restores the joy of passing plates and trading stories.