In Mississippi, food is more than a necessity—it’s culture, memory, and connection all rolled into one. Whether it’s a family gathered around the Sunday dinner table, neighbors sharing a plate of fried catfish, or college students swapping stories over a late-night po-boy, our meals carry meaning. Few restaurants capture that spirit better than Oby’s, a Mississippi-grown favorite with a story that stretches from Pearl Harbor to Starkville.
It all began with Starkville native Don O’Bannon, whose Navy service took him to Pearl Harbor. There, he discovered a small delicatessen that quickly became his favorite spot. The sandwiches were unlike anything he had ever tasted back home, and the idea of opening a restaurant began to take root. When he returned to Mississippi, Don went on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and worked as a computer programmer. But his dream never faded. Eventually, he realized it was time to take a leap of faith.
Don set out on a journey of discovery, traveling across the Delta, the Gulf Coast, and New Orleans to learn the ins and outs of the restaurant business. He studied equipment, menus, and operations, but most importantly, he studied food. He fell in love with the New Orleans muffuletta and brought his own twist on the sandwich home. From the Coast, he learned how to make shrimp, crawfish, oyster, and alligator po-boys that would later become staples on his menu. Each trip gave him a recipe, a skill, or a story that would eventually flavor his restaurant.
In 1976, Oby’s opened its doors in Starkville with just 55 seats. Students and locals quickly filled them, drawn not only to the food but to the sense of welcome the restaurant offered. Don leaned into nostalgia with pewter plates and old-fashioned décor, making Oby’s feel less like a business and more like a gathering place. As the years passed, Oby’s grew to seat 175 guests and cemented its place as a local institution.
The success story expanded in 2005, when Mississippi natives Ayers Spencer and David Calhoun brought Oby’s to Oxford. Just like in Starkville, the new location became a hit with students and families alike, offering the same combination of hearty sandwiches and homegrown hospitality.
After more than four decades of service, Don retired in 2020, handing the reins to Spencer and Calhoun. Today, Oby’s continues to thrive, serving up muffulettas, po-boys, loaded fries, and plenty of Southern charm. The restaurant remains what Don always intended it to be: a place where people gather, laugh, and enjoy food that feels both familiar and unforgettable.
Oby’s is more than a restaurant—it’s a Mississippi tradition. It’s proof that the best meals aren’t just about flavor, but about the stories, friendships, and memories they create. And like so many of our state’s treasures, it all started with a simple dream and a love for good food.
