The Dinner Bell: A McComb Culinary Landmark

The Dinner Bell is a culinary landmark in McComb, Mississippi, celebrated for its Southern cuisine and unique dining experience. The restaurant operates out of a historic home built between 1921 and 1923 for John White, showcasing architectural details like molded ceilings and ceramic tile flooring.The restaurant's story began in New Orleans with a single 18-seat table, where strangers became friends over shared meals. It moved to its current location in McComb in 1959. The Dinner Bell serves lunch Wednesday through Sunday, offering a daily-changing menu of Southern staples. The heart of The Dinner Bell experience is the round-table buffet. Diners sit at large, round tables featuring a rotating lazy Susan piled high with dishes. This family-style approach encourages sharing and creates a sense of community. The menu features classic Southern dishes like fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, and fried catfish. Sides include sweet potato casserole, black-eyed peas, and fried eggplant. The restaurant is also known for its sweet tea and desserts like banana pudding. The Dinner Bell's history stretches back over 80 years. It was initially a hobby business for Mr. and Mrs. Jack Corbett. The restaurant briefly closed in 1978 before being revived by the Lopinto family in 1980.