Best country and traditional Southern plate on the square! Very much iconic and local

Ajax diner is located in The Square at Oxford. Parking is mostly paid although I hear now there is a deck that is free. Stopped in today with the family on a college visit. Heard we had to try Ajax, the diner, not the soap. We stopped in for lunch before heading to Nashville airport to come home. The diner is about what you'd expect inside. Old, kitschy and full of decor. We sat in a booth an were greeted by a waitress promptly for drink orders. Cokes and waters. They deliver the coke in a neat Ajax cup. I ordered the chicken fried steak. Wife ordered the chicken and dumplings and step son ordered catfish. Everything arrived very quickly and everything was hot and southern deliciousness, except the corn bread. The corn bread was dry and not very good at all. Pretty sure it was yesterday's leftover bread or someone needs to pull it 5 minutes sooner from the oven. Unanimous at the table, Everton e had garb corn bread. No big deal. The chicken fried steak was full of flavor and cooked perfectly. Gravy was great and the red beans and rice side was awesome. All great flavors. Wife loved the chicken and dumplings, good flavor and tender chicken. She got a side of sweet potato casserole and loved it. I had a bite and it was delicious for certain. Step son had the fried catfish, he is not a big seafood eater but he absolutely loves the catfish. I had a big piece and it was cooked perfectly and tasted great as well. The staff was outstanding, the service was great and the food was excellent sans the cornbread. Ajax is a neat little diner in the heart of Oxford. It's a little pricey as is everything in this college town, but it was worth the visit. read more

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Twice in a week! Food, service and ambiance just down to earth good. Gets crowded fast and staff handles the business well. Good teamwork. They fill your cup before you leave too. read more

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The food was great and the service was fast! I got fried okra, but it did taste like like it came from frozen. I could be wrong, but it tasted like it came from frozen. The restaurant meal was good. The ambience was not too loud, but it was certainly full. The only thing I'll say is I know it's an old place and it's quite quaint. However, the bench seating are very badly cracked and ripped in the upholstery next time we're in Oxford we will come back. It's a sentimental place to go. read more

Ajax Diner - Ajax diner veggie plate - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

Very cool local bar / diner vibe. Seemed to be a great place to hang out . Greeted with friendly smiles & welcome in. The food was exceptional & the service was on point, waiter was very attentive to our needs. Nice price considering location & quality of the food. If your local you know, here from out of town like us. Plug into the navigation . Get there & enjoy your favorites. read more

Ajax Diner - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

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Grabbed a dinner plate, a sweet tea (complimentary souvenir cup), and a glass of sky dog. The food portion was just right! The table had ordered a fried pickles but it was a bit too salty for me. The catfish was great, seemed pretty fresh and it didn't have any metallic taste. The sweet potato casserole was just the right amount of sweet and savory. I was going between the catfish and sweet potato to balance out the flavors. The fried okra was a bit bland and definitely needed the sauce. The service was great - attentive and gave great advice on food options. The interior fits the diner appearance and everything looked pretty clean and tidy. Other people in the party enjoyed their poboys and hash brown casseroles. read more

The food is great, the prices are very reasonable and the staff is always attentive and friendly! Every time I'm visiting Oxford we come to Ajax! read more

Ajax Diner - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

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We rolled into The Diner in Oxford, Mississippi, looking for some Southern comfort and maybe a few extra pounds of nostalgia. Thankfully, Zoe--our server and instant favorite human--was on duty. She was attentive, helpful, and the kind of person who somehow keeps everyone's coffee cup full without you ever seeing her do it. If they gave out Michelin stars for charm, she'd have at least two. Now, let's talk about those chicken and dumplings. I don't say this lightly: best I've ever had. Creamy, hearty, and clearly made by someone who knows both the recipe and the rhythm of Sunday afternoons. The hash brown casserole had the right idea--cheesy, comforting--but the potatoes could've used another minute or two in the oven to live their best life. The squash casserole? Flavorful, but it came on strong, like a dinner guest who keeps telling the same story a little too loud. My colleague went for the pot roast, and between bites, she said, "This tastes like my grandmother's." That's a high compliment--though her grandma probably didn't plate it with sides that felt like they were still in rehearsal. All in all, The Diner delivers what you come for: warm service, hearty food, and a sense that time slows down just enough to let your waistband expand. Not perfect, but perfectly Southern. read more

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This place was really good. Definitely a down casual place. They have a bar and a big dining area but still was pretty packed. The staff were friendly and attentive. The service was fast and the food was very good. The green beans were a bit overcooked but they tasted good. The jalapeño cornbread was a bit drier but still good. The catfish was very good. Overall definitely a place I would like to come back to when I come back to visit. read more

Ajax Diner - Catfish plate (hash brown casserole, green beans and jalapeño cornbread) - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

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While roaming Oxford Ms. we decided to pop into Ajax for a quick beer. The staff was welcoming and bar conversation was fun! The art inside is fun and quirky. Ajax is located on the square in Oxford. read more

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I had not eaten here for years because I had two bad meals in a row. I was talked into going again by a friend who doesn't eat meat. I looked at the menu online and thought that things had improved. I knew the four vegetables that I planned to order only to discover that most of them were NOT on the menu! My server said that purple hull peas were available even though they weren't on the menu. I ordered the fried okra (pretty good), sweet potato casserole ( okay, but not what I wanted), rice and gravy (cold) and the purple hull peas. They were NOT purple hull peas, they were black eyed peas and I think they were dried peas. The jalapeño cornbread was so crumbley that I had to eat it with a fork. It was not a good meal. Mama Joe, you are sorely missed in Oxford!!! read more

At the recommendation of several friends, we went here for our first meal in Oxford while visiting Ole Miss. I ordered the catfish with sides of fried okra and squash casserole, along with jalapeño corn bread, paired with w local beer. Everything was delicious but the catfish was a standout for me, perfect amount of coating seasoned well and the filet was thick and tender. I also really enjoyed the corn bread and okra. The squash was recommended by a friend, and it was tasty but not my favorite. My kids enjoyed their burgers & fries and my husband had the shrimp po boy, which he liked. We were too full for dessert. The service was very friendly, but not fussy. The ambiance is casual, and there was no wait to get in on a regular Tuesday night (I imagine game day might be crazy), you just seat yourself. Saw many folks in there with younger kids, so it looked friendly for all ages. read more

Ajax Diner - Fried catfish, fried okra, jalapeño cornbread, squash casserole, tartar sauce, lemon. - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

Incredibly quick service and great meal! Great spot in Oxford. Also really cheap prices! read more

Ajax Diner - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

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It's on the square and a little hidden but cool vibe once you get inside! I got the burger with Mac and cheese. Burger was well done and that cabbage with mayo topping was perfect! The Mac and cheese has a little heat on the back but mine was a cold. Overall I would have gone 5 stars if the Mac had been hot. Of course I forgot to take pics! read more

Wow, unbelievable great customer service and amazing delicious food. Can't ask for any more than that can you? They what I call "country food". It where you can get food like a meat and 2 or 3 vegetables. Along with sweet tea. It's also what I call a "mom and pop" type restaurant. It's not a franchise I don't think. But a lot of people I know come here that I know. Lots of people who go to Ole Miss come here. In fact, some come here when they got to the Ole Games like football and basketball. So, if you are just passing through Oxford or going to Ole Miss, I recommend coming here. Great restaurant, great customer service and great atmosphere. read more

Ajax Diner - Updated menu prices as of 11/11/2024 - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

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Visited here on the advice of a trusted Rebel alum (Hotty Toddy!) I had the catfish entree. My friend had the meatloaf. Amazing food. Huge portions. Nice divey atmosphere. The service was cheerful but kind of forgot about once our food landed. You simply can't let the glasses of iced tea run out. I would definitely return here. read more

Ajax Diner - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

Always a winner. Wonderful vegetables and entrees with a down home feel. Do not ever miss the chance to dine at Ajax!

Spiced up southern cuisine. Large menu and friendly staff. Eclectic atmosphere. Giving 3 stars because I didn't expect my cornbread dressing to be too spicy to enjoy. read more

This place has had the best food, friendliest service, and most relaxing atmosphere since I started going in 1998. I cannot go to Oxford without stopping by. It's like eating at your grandmas. read more

If you're in The Square in Oxford, you need to check out Ajax Diner! Locals and visitors alike frequent this restaurant that has some great comfort and soul food! The atmosphere is casual, the servers are friendly and the food is great! The banana pudding is out of this world! A must have item! read more

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Southern home cooking done well! The fried catfish and chicken and dumplings were super yummy. Loved the green beans and hash browns casserole. The rice and gravy instantly brought back my childhood and I haven't had butter beans like that since I was a little girl. My son said his southern fried steak and Mac and cheese was the best he's ever had! On the flip side, I would not recommend the pork chops. My husband said they were a little dry. However, I overheard several others raving about their Shrimp Po Boys and even the waiter said they were some of the best around. Just a side note, they have fried okra at lunch but not at dinner. (Insert sad emoji) It is a fairly small restaurant that doesn't take reservations but the staff is very friendly and is really good at getting customers in and seated. If you're a college kid and miss mom's cooking, head to Ajax for a hug in a mug and a taste of some homemade love. I swear these people have straight connections to grandma! read more

Ajax Diner - Fried catfish - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

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It's a bar restaurant but I hope their drinks are better than the food. The fried pot pie was a hot pocket full of inedible mush. Avoid it. The coleslaw tasted rotten. And the country fried steak while edible was not very good. The staff also bragged about how large their portions were. They might've thought their portions were large because no one finished their meal... That's not because of the size of the portion but because of the horrible food. As far as ambience... That's kind of what you would expect from a bar restaurant. I can assure you we won't be back. read more

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We tried to eat here years ago during a football weekend and no chance. I'm glad we came to Oxford just for a visit while things were not busy. This place beat our expectations. Really good southern food, great atmosphere, and very friendly service. We ate at several other places during our visit and some much more expensive but NONE better. Don't change! read more

Ajax Diner - Great southern food - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

Great classic old school restaurant in the heart of Oxford Mississippi. We went for lunch on a Friday afternoon and the square was buzzing. Luckily when we got to Ajax Diner we were able to snag a table quickly - its seat yourself. They have a nice beer, wine and cocktail menu - we each had a Stella Artois beer and shared a Lemonade Margarita (super tasty). For lunch we had the pork chop lunch plate (comes with 2 sides - we got okra and mashed potatoes) and the fried shrimp po boy with fries and a side of okra. The okra was perfectly cooked - not soggy at all. The shrimp was lightly battered which I personally prefer. The bread was incredibly soft and all together the po boy was really really good. The pork chop plate also was cooked perfectly and delicious. Each lunch was just under $20 which is super reasonable. Fun place to have lunch and the service was impeccable. A must stop if in Oxford! read more

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I came here for lunch with my sorority sisters. The Place was jampacked and we probably had to wait around 10 minutes which was not bad. The waitresses were very friendly and accommodating to us and willing to meet our needs when we discuss our group and how we wanted to sit by each other. I ordered the catfish with macaroni and cheese as my side as well as steam broccoli the catfish was definitely High but it seemed like the broccoli and mac & cheese have been sitting out for a while, which is very disappointing to me. I had a sent back so that it could be reheated up and that honestly did not do much either as well. The food tasted good, but it just was Luke Warm and cold, which was not a fun experience to have eating food read more

Ajax Diner - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

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First meal while traveling to Mississippi and it did not disappoint! Very authentic southern food, but unfortunately I have the sensitive tummy of northern girl. Still though, I powered through my "veggie" plate that did not consist of any veggies but had a wonderful Mac and cheese involved. The cheese grits had a nice flavor but weren't super hot. Really loved the sweet potato casserole, maybe my favorite veggie in the veggie plate. Tried some of my husbands country fried steak and argued with him over if "chicken fried steak" is the same thing (it is) and if there is actual chicken involved (there isn't). That was really yummy too, but I think if I find myself back here again I would have to try the chicken and dumplings read more

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Ajax came highly recommended from a friend. I ate there on a Wednesday- the place was not busy, no excuse for the food quality. Having lived in and being a fan of all things Texas, I consider myself a chicken fried steak connoisseur. That was on the menu, and that was my order- "do you want white gravy?" Of course I do, no other gravy goes on a CFS. I did vary it up and skipped mashed potatoes for their hashbrown casserole, and fried okra for the other side. The meal was on the table in an extraordinarily fast time, maybe 3 minutes which I thought was odd. The CFS was almost perfectly round, which indicates that they don't make it fresh in house, but rather a pre-breaded pressed patty thing frozen and out of a bag. The gravy was kind of yellow, definitely not white CFS gravy. It was like some sort of turkey gravy left over from a past Thanksgiving. Taste was not good, barely mediocre at best. The hashbrown casserole was by far the worst thing on the plate. It tasted like a chemical, searing and bitter. I wonder if they grilled onions on a grill that had been doused in grill cleaner and hadn't been adequately cleaned after, and then put into the potatoes and baked. 2 bites and I couldn't touch any more of it. Fried okra- can't mess that up, right? Think again, Ajax can screw it up with frozen pre-breaded okra that was served COLD. The centers were literally cold, and I had two pieces of okra and was done. A substantial amount of time passed, and I wanted to just escape this place. I had 75% of the meal left on the plate when the server came by and said, "ready for the check?" Obviously they didn't even care or notice that the meal had hardly been touched. They just wanted to drop the check and be done.. I paid $25.05 including tip for that plate of partially eaten, substandard slop and a glass of tea, and was happy to get out of there. I needed to hurry back to my hotel and place an order for a pizza to be delivered. Ajax Diner should be embarrassed that they served such an awful plate to a human being. I will never return and caution you all not to eat there. Diner Beware! read more

Ajax Diner - 75% wasted due to terrible food quality. - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

Ajax Diner is a must if you're looking for a casual and timeless lunch or dinner on the Oxford Square. I ordered the cheeseburger and fries. The burger was well seasoned and cooked perfectly. The lettuce, tomato and pickles were fresh and crisp. The cheddar cheese added a savory kick to each bite, and the fluffy bun did a great job of holding the burger together. The side of crinkle cut fries were delicious as well -- crispy and not too salty. I always enjoy the interior of the restaurant as well -- the laid-back ambiance and old-school decor make you feel as if you're eating in a day of the past. The service was also spectacular. I look forward to returning and exploring more of the menu. read more

Ajax Diner - Cheeseburger and Fries - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

If you like southern cooking, this is the best. Great catfish. Big portions. A bit pricey. Killer banana pudding. Nice staff. Great location. read more

Ajax Diner - Catfish - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

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Ajax Diner remains rock solid. My most recent visit happened to coincide with an Ole Miss game, so the bar service was slower than expected. However, a huge positive is their top tier selection of side dishes. I ordered the 3 Veggie Plate and had over 20 sides to choose from for my meal. A great option for the Oxford Town Square! read more

Ajax Diner - 3 Veggie Plate - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

Whenever I come to Oxford, I always think "when will I eat at Ajax"? It's mandatory for me. This restaurant located on the Square is a mainstay of Oxford life. Yes there are many eateries in town and a lot of them are nicer and fancier but if you want some "down home cooking" you come here. You know the kind that your mother and grandmother made for you when you were a kid. I had dinner here last week and ordered the chicken and dumplings with green beans and purple hull peas with a roll for $14.40. The food arrived less than 15 minutes later. Let's just say the meal met my expectations and they were high. The chicken and dumplings were so satisfying to eat, a true "comfort" food. The peas were delicious and those green beans had a twang of vinegar in them that made me smile. Ajax is a must dine spot when visiting Oxford and if you live here you are lucky! read more

Ajax Diner - Chicken and dumplings, purple hull peas and green beans - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

I've only been here once but overall it was a positive experience. Presentation was lacking but the service was good. Heck, I'd go back just for the fried catfish. read more

Ok we were in oxford or employee day trip. We just lucked up and stopped here after seeing a place they the windows. Good old fashioned soul food. Greens, cornbread, fish, chops all seasoned like grandma service was cool. Portions good and priced reasonable. read more

First of all the decor and atmosphere in this place is super comfy and cute. When we entered the restaurant we knew we were in for a major treat! After a long day of volunteering and our first visit to Oxford , we were anxious to eat a good hearty meal. AJAX did NOT disappoint! We were greeted by Emily, who is not only just beautiful- but a real star! Her smile was contagious! She gave great insights on the menu and her suggestions were spot on! We had the red bean rolls- when you go here- EAT SOME OF THESE! Our appetizers came out immediately and then our food followed in a matter of minutes. Everything came to the table piping hot and flavorful! Needless to say I will be returning here on my next trip to Oxford. If you come here, and you will- ask for Emily and tip her WELL! read more

Ajax Diner - Red bean rolls... so good - Southern Near Me - Oxford, Mississippi

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This was our second visit and still pleased! The queso dip appetizer is a must-try. The burger I had was good, but wish the patty had more seasoning. The southern plates were all good and you can't go wrong with any of the sides! read more

Home style comfort food in a cute dinner located in the square. The service was above and beyond, so welcoming and friendly. The food was delicious, affordable and the portions were huge. We will definitely be back next time we are in Oxford. read more

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We had dinner at Ajax on a friend's recommendation. Our waitress told us the catfish was a must -- she wasn't wrong. It was absolutely phenomenal. Perfectly cooked, seasoned just right, and hands down some of the best we've ever had. The sides were just as impressive -- true Southern comfort food, cooked with care and flavor. And we couldn't leave without trying the blackberry cobbler for dessert. Let's just say, if you go to Ajax and skip the cobbler, you're making a mistake. The atmosphere is everything you want in a classic Oxford spot -- laid-back, welcoming, and full of character. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this is one of those places that belongs on your "can't miss" list. We'll definitely be back. read more

Touring Ole Miss tomorrow we stumbled upon this place. It looked like a very fun atmosphere with big bulb Christmas lights hanging all over and cute decor. But did the food match the atmosphere! YES IT DID!!! I had the Pop Shrimp salad. The shrimp were boiled and delicious! I didn't care for the creole mustard vinaigrette and there was very little feta but still it was good! The sides I ordered were great! Don't skip the sweet potato casserole, or the broccoli rice casserole!!! Great reviews from the kids on the chicken tenders and husband loved the meatloaf! I could not try the friend pickles due to my allergy but they got rave reviews from everyone else. Overall definitely a fun family place with some good southern sides. read more

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The food is overcooked and served lukewarm. Great veggie side menu but poorly executed. Green beans - mushy chicken fried steak and okra obviously been sitting under warming lights for way too long. Banana pudding soggy and unappetizing. Bright point, you will get large portions. read more

Good, fast, friendly service. Great food. Large servings. It's a bit of a hole in the wall, but it was busy with lots of talking people, but you could have a conversation without shouting like you do in the new warehouse-style restaurants. read more