Unearth The Voyage
If you crave the kind of Southern comfort that sticks to your ribs and your memories, Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store delivers with heart. Tucked inside the Casey Jones Village in Jackson, this retro buffet and ice cream parlor feels like stepping into a warmly kept time capsule. Locals swear by the flaky biscuits, slow cooked meats, and hospitality that greets you by name. Come hungry, leave happy, and start planning your next visit before you hit the parking lot.
Walk in and you are met with the inviting aroma of skillet fried chicken, peppery turnip greens, and buttery cornbread. The buffet at Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store is a generous spread that makes choices deliciously difficult. You can build a plate like a seasoned local, piling on classics without apology.
Every tray feels curated by someone who grew up eating this food daily. Vegetables taste slow simmered, meats are tender, and gravies are rich but balanced. You will notice staff refreshing the pans constantly, keeping everything hot and crisp.
What makes it special is how it feels both abundant and personal. The team is quick with refills and friendly conversation, adding warmth to the meal. You leave feeling like you just enjoyed a Sunday supper that somehow shows up seven days a week.
The fried chicken at Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store is the dish people whisper about in line. Each piece boasts a shattering crust that gives way to juicy, well seasoned meat. There is that perfect peppery kick that makes you reach for sweet tea after every bite.
It looks simple, but the technique is steady and practiced. The breading holds without getting heavy, and the skin stays crisp even after a trip from buffet to table. You can choose light or dark meat and trust both to be excellent.
Locals time their visits to catch the freshest batches, though it turns fast all day. Pair it with mashed potatoes and milk gravy and you have a plate that explains the repeat crowd. If you try only one thing, make it this chicken.
Friday catfish draws a steady line of regulars who know exactly where to stand. The fillets come lightly breaded, fried to a crisp edge with tender flakes within. Hushpuppies ride shotgun, perfectly browned and slightly sweet, made for dunking in tartar sauce.
What sets this catfish apart is balance. It is never greasy, always seasoned, and brightened with lemon wedges that cut through richness. Add coleslaw and white beans and you have a plate that tastes like West Tennessee tradition.
Because the buffet keeps moving, the fish stays hot and fresh. You can hear the friendly chatter about old church socials and Friday routines. Try a second pass for another fillet and you will understand why the line never really disappears here.
The biscuits have that tender crumb only real buttermilk can deliver. They split open with steam, ready for butter, sorghum, or a hearty ladle of sawmill gravy. Early mornings, you see guests grinning over biscuit sandwiches stacked with country ham.
There is an art to keeping biscuits warm without drying, and the kitchen nails it. You can swipe honey, spoon jam, or go savory with sausage gravy that tastes like it simmered forever. One biscuit turns into two before you realize it.
These biscuits are a cornerstone of breakfast and an anchor for lunch plates. They mop up collard potlikker and cradle eggs like a hug. If comfort had a texture, it would feel exactly like these biscuits.
Vegetables here taste like love and patience. Collards are silky with a whisper of vinegar, and turnip greens carry that peppery bite locals crave. Butter beans are creamy, with just enough seasoning to let the beans speak for themselves.
Okra is stewed until tender, never slimy, and works wonderfully beside rice. Candied yams gleam with caramel notes, sweet but not cloying, the kind of side that steals bites from every plate. Mac and cheese, though technically a casserole, counts as a vegetable in true Southern spirit.
You can make a full meal from the veggie sides alone and leave satisfied. The buffet rotates with the seasons, keeping flavors familiar yet fresh. This is where home cooking meets community standards and wins every time.
Salty and robust, the country ham wakes your palate immediately. Paired with redeye gravy, that classic coffee kissed pan sauce, it turns breakfast into a memory. Add a spoon of creamy grits and a hot biscuit and you are set.
The ham is sliced to satisfy, not overwhelm, giving you the right bite every time. Redeye gravy divides folks, but the kitchen strikes a balanced version that highlights drippings without harshness. It soaks biscuits beautifully.
This plate feels like a nod to grandparents who never rushed mornings. It is hearty, honest, and best enjoyed with black coffee. If you thought buffet breakfast could not feel soulful, this changes minds quickly.
On Sundays, the roast beef station becomes a gathering point. Slices are carved to order, rosy centered and draped with rich brown gravy. Mashed potatoes form the perfect base, creamy and ready to catch every drop.
This tastes like a family tradition dressed in restaurant polish. The roast carries real beef flavor, not just seasoning, and the gravy has depth from slow simmered drippings. Green beans provide a crisp, buttery counterpoint.
Take your time, build a plate, and settle in among families celebrating milestones. The team knows how to keep the line moving while staying friendly. It is the kind of meal that makes you slow down and talk a little longer.
Save room for dessert because the cobblers are worth strategic planning. Peach and blackberry arrive bubbling, the fruit bright beneath buttery crust. A swirl of vanilla soft serve on top melts into a creamy sauce within seconds.
This combo feels playful and nostalgic, like summers spent visiting grandparents. The crust has texture, the fruit keeps its character, and sweetness stays balanced. You can sprinkle crushed nuts if you want a little crunch.
People wander back for seconds without shame. It is that good, and the dessert station keeps pace with the demand. End your meal this way and the ride home feels extra content.
Beyond the buffet, the retro ice cream parlor brings pure Americana charm. Think chrome stools, classic sundaes, and milkshakes thick enough to test your straw. You can order a banana split and feel nine years old again.
Flavors lean classic with quality you can taste. Hot fudge is glossy, caramel is buttery, and whipped cream is real. Staff members make suggestions, and somehow they are always right.
It is ideal for date night or a family victory lap after a hearty meal. Grab a photo under the vintage signs and soak up the nostalgia. Simple joy lives here, one scoop at a time.
Doors open at 6:30 AM most days, and early birds flock in for plates that fuel real workdays. You will find scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, pancakes, and biscuits ready to go. Coffee pours nonstop, strong and comforting.
The morning crowd knows each other, and conversations carry a friendly hum. Staff greet by name and keep plates hot, moving with practiced ease. It feels like a community breakfast hosted every weekday.
If you enjoy slow starts, this is your spot. If you need a quick bite, the buffet makes timing easy. Either way, you leave caffeinated, fed, and a little more cheerful than when you arrived.
The restaurant sits inside Casey Jones Village, which adds extra charm to your visit. Before or after eating, you can stroll the grounds, peek at shops, and enjoy the small museum vibe. It turns a meal into a mini outing without any fuss.
The exterior is photogenic with rustic touches and friendly signage. Families snap pictures by the storefront, and the atmosphere feels relaxed. Parking is straightforward, and you can wander as long as you like.
Being here makes the food taste even more nostalgic. You are not just dining, you are participating in a local ritual. It is a destination wrapped around a buffet that truly earns its reputation.
Service at Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store is a big reason people return. Sweet tea appears before you ask, and plates vanish without interrupting conversations. Staff offer seconds with a grin and a quick story.
It is genuine hospitality, not scripted lines. You can ask for recommendations and get spot on tips, plus the occasional local tidbit. The pace is steady, even when it gets busy, because everyone knows their role.
That warmth amplifies the comfort food on your plate. It feels like eating at a favorite aunt’s house, where you are welcomed and cared for. By the time you leave, you have already planned your next visit.
Timing matters when you want the hottest trays and shortest lines. The restaurant opens at 6:30 AM most days and runs until 8 PM, with Sunday hours 8 AM to 5 PM. Peak times hit around church let out and early dinner.
Arrive a bit early for weekend lunches or plan a late afternoon meal. The buffet refreshes often, so you will still get crisp chicken and fresh sides. Calling ahead for larger groups helps the team seat you quickly.
Parking is ample, and the Casey Jones Village setting encourages a leisurely pace. Bring an appetite and maybe a light jacket for the cool dining room. You will leave satisfied and ready to recommend it to friends.
Expect fair prices for generous portions, squarely in the middle for sit down Southern fare. The buffet delivers variety and quality that make seconds feel like a smart splurge. Families appreciate the predictability and the lack of surprise add ons.
Considering the scratch cooked vegetables, carved meats, and dessert options, the value holds up. You can easily tailor a lighter plate or go full comfort without stress. Sweet tea refills keep coming and the smiles are free.
Locals come weekly because the experience remains consistent. You know what you are getting and it tastes like home. That reliability is worth every dollar and explains the steady crowd.
The dining rooms channel a 19th century general store, complete with antiques and playful displays. Wooden floors creak in the best way, and shelves hold vintage tins and tools. It is immersive without feeling like a theme park.
That atmosphere shapes how you taste the meal. Comfort food lands deeper when surrounded by memories and artifacts. You will probably find yourself pointing out objects to your tablemates between bites.
It is a thoughtful backdrop that never overshadows the food. The vibe invites lingering, storytelling, and another helping of cobbler. Come for the buffet, stay for the charm that lingers long after dessert.
Start with a reconnaissance lap to spot fresh trays and daily specials. Build your plate around one star item like fried chicken or catfish, then add two vegetables and a biscuit. Keep room for cobbler because you will regret skipping dessert.
Drink sweet tea early, then switch to water to pace the meal. Chat with staff for recommendations and timing tips. If you are visiting on Sunday, arrive before peak church crowds to enjoy a relaxed pace.
Take a few photos in Casey Jones Village, then swing back for the ice cream parlor. Share bites so you can sample more without overdoing it. You will leave full, happy, and already planning round two.
