Tracey L.

I believe anyone who has ever come through Mississippi for a brief or long stay knows about The Hot Smokes at Big Apple Inn. Now, it's up to you if you want hot, mild, or no heat. But trust me, we all get the hot. It's the right amount of heat that doesn't set your mouth on fire. You don't need a glass of water nearby. The heat, in this case, adds flavor to an already-favorable sandwich. Another thing is that no one orders, just one smoke. In the past, I saw numbers go as high as ten hot smokes and five pig ears. Yes, they serve the most tender pig ears. But yesterday, the orders were as high as 35 smokes and several pig ears. And if you don't want the pig ears on a bun, it's your choice to have them put in a container. Also, I love the family atmosphere; it's a small place with a couple of long tables. Most people come in know the next person in line, and they shoot the breeze until their order is ready. I'm sure that during my college days, I accepted lots of dates in that line. We all did! But, I want you to know there is a second location now, and I'm sure it's just as good as this one with the same recipe, but I prefer this location in the heart of Downtown Farrish Street.

LaShawn S.

This right here is down south at its best. I can't call this place a whole in the wall but it feels that way. The folks working here are entertaining and the experience or ordering is one that I have never seen before. They write your order on a paper bag or a piece of cardboard! Not to mention there is a line of people against the wall waiting on their orders and we just strike up a convo it was true southern hospitality. Now the menu is as Mississippi as you're gonna get. With fried bologna sandwich's to the chopped sausage sandwich, to the pig ear sliders. Yup pig ears. They also have delta tamales. I'm adventurous so I ordered 1 "ears" and people in line were like "oh man you gotta get at least five of 'em they small and you gonna love 'em". I'm adventurous but not like that lol. I said I'll give it a try and if they are that good I'm sure I'll be back. I talked with the locals while waiting on my "ears". Once I got my order I went to the car to give it a try. I was horrible lol the texture is not something I can't do. It's an acquired thing I'm told lol. But the rest of the food looked and smelled sooo good. The experience and the history of this place (look it up) is really worth a trip. I recommend going here if you're ever in Jackson and I recommend trying the "ears" but also get some tamales and a sausage sandwich

Mallory W.

Had to make a pit stop while I was in Jackson at the famous big apple inn. I really wanted to try the pig ear sandwich that I learned about on tiktok. It does look really old inside like it's been there for a while. I got one pig ear sandwich and one smokee sandwich. Well more like a slides. I really enjoyed the pig ear slider if you don't like texture then proceed with caution lol but it was flavorful and I enjoyed it. Not the smokee slider I didn't like at all. All in all I give this spot 4 stars. Go and try this staple for yourself. Service was excellent.

Alyssa S.

This iconic place in Jackson, MS has been around since 1939. It's small, no frills diner. They are known mainly for their pig ear sliders and smokes which is a smoked sausage slider. They also have hamburger sliders, bologna sliders, and beef tamales. I'm not adventurous enough to try a pig ear so I ordered a smoke and a hamburger slider and a half dozen tamales. The sliders are prepared when you order so there is a bit of a wait but its worth it. The sliders have a little bit of mustard sauce and slaw on them. The burger was very good. The smoke was delicious. I ordered it mild but I plan to return to try a hot one. The tamales are small but flavorful. They come in either a half dozen or a dozen. Its very easy to eat a half dozen in one sitting. They are just that good! I'm glad I was able to check out this historical place while visiting the area. I will definitely be back.

George T.

My mom raised me on the smokes. She was born and raised in Jackson and she hadn't been back home in about 15 years so it was a must to stop by. Still taste it exactly the same. I love the hot sausage and she loves the pig ear. Thought I would have a chance to order a bunch before I left out of town on Monday and didn't realize that they were closed. So disappointed. Can't wait to go back and this time I will make sure to give more than a few. Must have if you're traveling through Jackson.

Veronica H.

I wanted to go here to see what the hype was about the pig ear sandwiches and the smokes; however, I didn't get to order. First, let's start by the outside appearance. There were no windows in the upstairs part of the building. How can they keep bugs and animals from the food areas? Next, I can understand nostalgia, however, basic updates and cleanliness is a must in the restaurant industry. Next, once we entered, there were several people waiting on food; however we were not acknowledged because one of the ladies was seated and on her phone. There was no restroom and being that we had traveled a long distance, it was a huge inconvenience to travel somewhere else to use the restroom and then come back. So we opted for somewhere else that was cleaner. I was highly disappointed because we wanted to patronize this long time and established business. I don't know how the received an A rating.

Craig R.

Great to see an operation that has been around as long as they have and still doing everything the same. Many people may know of red hot sausage from there childhood if the were around in the 70's. But most young kids have no idea unless they are from the area. The simplicity of the smokes the mustard the slider buns just a great look into a time of segregation and a bygone era. Smokes were awesome and thin sliced pig ears something our youth just over look. And the hot tamales were something from my childhood growing up in south Louisiana. Ours were beef not turkey but still great. We were passing through and remembered Big apple inn from Andrew Zimmern. The foot was great but the look back into history was even better.

Angela H.

I was visiting Jackson for work and I had seen this place on tv, I can't remember the show. Probably something on Food Network, but I'm not sure. So I tried it. The line is long so be prepared to wait. There were a few first timers, like myself in there but it mostly regulars. So I guess, that's speaks for itself. I ordered the bologna, the smoked sausage and the tamales. I did end up with a pig ear also. Ummm, I liked the tamales, they're hot, but they were good.

Chris O.

It's wild to me that people love this place, and even while we were waiting for our food people were steadily in and out. perhaps i should have gotten the pig ear sandwich; i brought my crew here and upon arrival it looked like a greasy spoon. there is a big A rating on the wall from the food inspector, the place is need of some deep cleaning. all in all we got 3 burger slider add cheese, 2 sausage slider and 6 tamales. for three people. the beef slider are a greasy hot mess, it has a flavor that says this is gonna hurt later and it did. the buns are toasted on the flat grill soaking up fat, we did eat the burgers. the sausage sliders are another story. the color is gross and the texture is just wrong. i ate one, the other guy refused to even taste it. the tamales look like something from the grease trap and have an unrecognizable smell. we could not eat them. who knos it might have tasted good but it look and smelled so bad. i do not know how they got an A rating from the health dept or why anyone would say this is good much less come back. did they bribe that food inspector or photo shop the A? IDK

Scot L.

Hope they never change a thing! Awning rotting off in front, inside looks like my dorm room did in college years ago but an awesome experience! Had the pig ear, hot sausage and hamburger sliders. All unique and all very tasty! Prices are CHEAP....don't know how they hold them so low. Pretty long lines at 11:30, all the locals know about this place!

Shawn W.

Simple and unrefined. It's longevity is a testament to its charm and stability. I was impressed with the genuine simplicity of the establishment. I had three Pig Ear sandwiches but could have had 10. I shall return to conquer my belly.

Deanna S.

Finally! The long awaited anticipation to try this Jackson establishment for the notorious pig ear sandwiches is over!!! Cross country or not, this is a worth a visit! At $1.50 a pop for a sandwich - this is 120% a great deal and a staple of Mississippi. Once visited by the late Anthony Bourdain, this is a spectacular almost hole in the wall of authenticity! You can't forget the Tamales either at $6 for half a dozen or $10 for a dozen, they really pack a punch! This is no modern joint, but the food is delicious, you can definitely devour a bunch of the pig ear sandwiches no problem and we even brought some to go. I'm so glad that I got to make a trip to visit such an iconic place in the south and try the delectable food items here. While pig ear sandwiches are their specialty, they offer tamales and other sandwiches as well. I would say the smoked sausage is a close second to the pig ear, but if you're visiting you definitely need to try the staple. They do have a vending machine for drinks inside, but I don't think they're opposed to you bringing your own in as well! Thanks so much!!