Twenty-two years ago, The Tomato Place was nothing more than one of four fruit and veggie stands run by Luke Hughes.

“I was here sorting tomatoes, when this guy comes up, takes a look at my tomatoes and asks if we could make him a sandwich. I made him a sandwich. Guess he must’ve really liked it,” Hughes says with a chuckle. “Because the very next day, he came back for another one. The rest, as they say, is history.”

And, so began The Tomato Place, located just south of a wicked curve on the blues highway — U.S. 61 South — in Vicksburg.

A sign in the business brings a smile to the faces of all who come: “Welcome Home! We are a slow food, smell the roses, hear the music, feel the atmosphere kind of place.”

So, there was never a need for a Robert Johnson-esque deal with the Devil for success. The great food, friendly atmosphere, Americana art and souvenirs have made the little roadside business a worldwide attraction.

Matt Mitchell, lab technician with Medical Associates, checks out the tomatoes at The Tomato Place in Vicksburg, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
The Tomato Place owner Luke Hughes with a handful of tomatoes, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
A customer heads into The Tomato Place, located at 3229 US 61 South (Blues Hwy.) in Vicksburg, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
Actor Joshua Moody adds tomatoes to his shopping list during a stop at The Tomato Place, located at 3229 US 61 South (Blues Hwy.) in Vicksburg, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
The Tomato Place owner Luke Hughes, with a bottle of his special Mississippi Fever, a sweet pepper sauce made with jalapenos for that extra kick, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
Luke’s and Koby’s Blend are blended sorghum molasses and ribbon cane syrup for baking, available at The Tomato Place in Vicksburg, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
Homemade BBQ sauce and breads at The Tomato Place, located at 3229 US 61 South (Blues Hwy.) in Vicksburg, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
Eli Perez dices watermelon for a cool treat to eat straight out of the cup at The Tomato Place in Vicksburg, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
Hannah Green (left) and manager Carolyn Henderson chat while Green shells field peas at The Tomato Place in Vicksburg, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
The Tomato Place is located at 3229 US 61 South (Blues Hwy.) in Vicksburg, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
Eli Perez works the counter as a steady stream of customers stop in at The Tomato Place in Vicksburg, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
Matt Mitchell, lab technician with Medical Associates, checks out the blueberries at The Tomato Place in Vicksburg, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
Eli Perez works the counter as customers Kelley Massey and Tim Bennett select peaches for purchase at The Tomato Place in Vicksburg, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
The Tomato Place owner Luke Hughes jokes with a customer at the Vicksburg business, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
The Tomato Place in Vicksburg, where visitors can enjoy a great meal, purchase fruit, vegetables and souvenirs while soaking up the friendly atmosphere, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
The Tomato Place in Vicksburg, where visitors can enjoy a great meal, purchase fruit, vegetables and souvenirs while soaking up the friendly atmosphere, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
The Tomato Place in Vicksburg, where visitors can enjoy a great meal, purchase fruit, vegetables and souvenirs while soaking up the friendly atmosphere, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
The Tomato Place in Vicksburg, where visitors can enjoy a great meal, purchase fruit, vegetables and souvenirs while soaking up the friendly atmosphere, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
1 / 18

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.