The Dinner Bell — Restaurant in McComb

Since the early part of the century, my mother's family were residents of McComb but the end of WWII found many of the seven Carlisle children and their new families scattered across the country. I was born in McComb in 1946 but my USAF father was soon stationed everywhere but the south. Each family returned to McComb every summer to see Mama & Papa Carlisle but after they passed in the mid 1950's, trips back to McComb from the West Coast were only for attending remaining family's funerals at the Hollywood Cemetery. However, after the Preacher's last Amen, spirits were greatly uplifted because we all knew we were headed to The Dinner Bell for the best "Grandmas' cookin' " we'd had since the previous funeral. Like at our own Grandma's table we youngsters didn't budge until our plates were clean so the bread pudding or pie could be passed. All the elders are long gone but over the years I frequently visited friends in NOLA, and we always managed to find time to drive up I-55 to experience the Dinner Bell again. In 2001, I brought my husband and both adult sons "home" with me to McComb for the Carlisle Family's last Hollywood Cemetery funeral and watched with delight as they made new memories, agreeing The Dinner Bell definitely lived up to my description. My last visit to the Dinner Bell was in 2014 and since I'm 77, widowed and live in the Pacific NW, my traveling days are pretty much done. I wanted to let everyone and especially the folks at the Dinner Bell know I'm so grateful to have such sweet, sweet memories of those family meals as a child with the Carlisle family and as an adult with my own family and new friends. Every once in a while I tie on one of my Dinner Bell aprons, leaf through my Dinner Bell Golden Anniversary Cookbook and tear up the kitchen so I can once again put a little South in my mouth. Thank you for the memories and God...

In our travels, my husband and I have eaten in this style of restaurant before. Two wonderful examples are Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant in Lynchburg, TN and Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room in Savannah, GA. So, we decided to give this place a try. Unfortunately, it was very disappointing to say the very least. The vegetables tasted like it came from a can. The roast beef was dry, the ribs were tough and the chicken from Popeyes is better. Also, most of the food offered was lukewarm at best and the desserts were mediocre. The price would have been worth the entire experience, had the food been better. The high note was that the staff was attentive and doing a good job. I am sorry to say, do yourself a favor and skip this establishment, as it has totally missed the mark. The restaurant was very busy and had plenty of customers, but why these folks continue to patronize this establishment is a mystery to us. Good, southern comfort food, this...

A group of 18 from Healing Place Church had lunch there two weeks ago and only 3 of us had been there before. Everyone raved about the experience and food. One couple took home four takeout plates! You can't beat the Dinner Bell for bringing you the sense of a family Sunday meal from long ago. It reminds me of eating at my grandma's house when I was a child.

Some of my best memories of eating at the Dinner Bell are sharing a table with total strangers. I have been blessed to meet folks from other states; and at times find that I'm sitting next to a home town person.

They have the best fried chicken and fried eggplant. Then there is the smothered cabbage, yellow squash, rice and homemade gravy, bean of the day, cornbread, ribs and the best sweet tea in the South! Probably in the US, but I've never had it out of South Louisiana.

Some advice based on much experience, wear your loose...