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Nestled in the heart of Jackson, Mississippi, Big Apple Inn is a charming sandwich shop and restaurant that offers an authentically Southern culinary experience with a unique twist. Known far beyond the city limits for its signature Pig Ear Sandwich, this local gem invites adventurous food lovers to dive into a menu rich with history and bold flavors. Sitting at 509 N Farish St, the atmosphere is delightfully no-frills—a true dive spot where friendliness and flavor take center stage.
The heart of Big Apple Inn’s menu lies in its sliders and tamales, each telling a story of local tradition and distinct taste. The Pig Ear Slider is a standout—celebrated for its crunchy yet gelatinous texture that creates an unforgettable mouthfeel, akin to the richly satisfying skin of a smoked holiday ham. Whether you savor it solo or alongside a smoldering Smoked Sausage Slider, the complex flavors and textures deliver a genuine Southern bite that resonates deeply with the history of the region.
Beyond the pig ear, the menu offers an array of sliders including the spicy chopped Bologna Slider and the classic Hamburger Slider, each priced affordably around $2.50. The tamales are another highlight—served in half-dozen or dozen portions, they bring a comforting warmth that perfectly complements the savory sandwiches. Adding some crispy Chips or sipping on a nostalgic Strawberry Sunkist completes the meal with that treasured down-home touch.
What truly sets Big Apple Inn apart is not just the food, but the experience steeped in history. It’s a place where iconic civil rights leaders Medgar Evers and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once met, making each bite a connection to a profound cultural legacy. Regulars and first-timers alike appreciate the friendly, welcoming staff who enhance the down-to-earth dining atmosphere, making it feel less like a restaurant and more like a cherished community spot.
Customer testimonials beautifully capture this sentiment: Mikee B praises the joint’s affordability and friendly atmosphere, noting the spicy sausage slider as a highlight, while June Olomo emphasizes its historical significance and delicious sandwiches, promising to bring family members back for the full experience. Visitors from afar, like Moises Gutierrez Jr., have found their pilgrimage worthwhile, recounting their first Pig Ear Slider as a memorable culinary adventure that embraced them warmly into Jackson’s food scene.
In essence, Big Apple Inn is more than a sandwich shop—it’s a flavorful journey into Southern tradition and culture. The allure of these bold, expertly crafted sandwiches, accompanied by hearty sides and rooted in a rich local narrative, makes it a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts seeking authenticity, history, and a friendly, unpretentious atmosphere.
This is a dive in a good way. Ordered a pig ear slider it was creamy but not much flavor but is the local favorite. The chopped sausage slider was good & spicey. The joint is inexpensive & staff was very friendly.
We stopped by to try the pig ear slider.. we ended up getting one of each just to see how they tasted.. we also purchased the tamales.. the sliders were good.. the service was excellent.. it is definitely historic..
I was in Vicksburg, MS and realized that Jackson wasn’t too far away. I had seen this place on TV years ago. I Googled “pig ear sandwich” and The Big Apple Inn came up. I had the Pig Ear Slider and it had a similar taste as the skin of your holiday ham. It was good and an experience that I will never forget, I’m glad I went to Jackson. I live 426 miles to the west in the DFW, TX area and next time I go I’ll have one of each of the sandwiches and a tamale too. (they sell those too)
The first time I went to the big apple was in 2003, I had never tried a pig sandwich and it was awesome. It’s down 2025 and I’m looking forward to going back there in the year of 2026 just to get that old flavor again. In my opinion, everything about that sandwich was delicious. I suggest everybody tries that eat pork.
This place is an important part of history!!! Medgar Evers and MLK met here! The pig ears sandwich was delicious. It had a crunchy and gelatinous texture that was amazing. The smoked sausage sandwiches were also very good. Just simply on historical fact, it’s worth the trip. I will bring my parents back to experience this part of history.