Mississippi’s Oldest Operating Drugstore Hides The Best Slugburger In The State

Borroum’s Drug Store in Corinth, Mississippi, isn’t just a relic – it’s a living piece of Southern history. Established in 1865, it holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating drugstore in the state. But beyond its preserved vintage charm and working soda-fountain counter, Borroum’s is best known for serving what many locals call the finest slugburger in Mississippi. This Depression-era sandwich, deep-fried and made with a blend of ground pork and extender, continues to draw residents and travelers alike, combining nostalgia, history, and comfort in every bite.

1. A Pharmacy With Roots in the Civil War

Borroum’s Drug Store was founded in 1865 by Andrew Jackson Borroum, a former Confederate Army surgeon who settled in Corinth after the war. The business remained in his family for generations, and today it still operates under the stewardship of his descendants.

The building that houses Borroum’s is a historic gem: its structure dates back to the mid 19th century and walls are made of hand molded bricks. Over time, the store has grown from a simple apothecary into a cultural institution, blending its pharmacy role with a soda fountain that feels frozen in time.

Between the antique fixtures, Civil War memorabilia, and family heirlooms, stepping inside Borroum’s is like stepping into a living museum where prescription bottles and history share the shelves.

2. A Soda Fountain That’s a Time Capsule

Inside Borroum’s, the soda fountain steals much of the spotlight. The long counter with its swivel stools takes visitors back to a bygone era: order a milkshake, classic soda, or cherry phosphate, and you’ll feel as though you’ve slipped into 1930s Mississippi.

The art deco style bar, vintage cash register, and original medicine cabinets combine to form a charming, nostalgic environment. It’s a place where locals linger over conversation and tourists gape at the display cases holding Civil War relics and Native American artifacts.

The fountain isn’t just decor – it’s fully operational and central to Borroum’s identity. People don’t just come for pharmaceuticals – they come for the sense of continuity, community, and the warm hum of history being kept alive.

3. The Slugburger: A Great Depression Legacy

At the heart of Borroum’s food menu is the slugburger, a sandwich born out of necessity during the Great Depression. Made with a patty of ground pork (or sometimes beef) mixed with soy flour or other fillers, the slugburger was originally priced at a nickel – a “slug” in local slang.

Deep fried to a golden crisp, the patty is served on a soft bun, dressed simply with mustard, onion, and pickles. What began as a frugal solution to meat scarcity has become a point of local pride. The flavors are humble but satisfying, offering a crunchy exterior and a soft, almost mushy interior that speaks to the resourcefulness of a bygone era.

Visitors say it’s more than a sandwich – it’s a bite of regional heritage.

4. More Than Just Burgers: A Full, Old-School Menu

Though the slugburger is Borroum’s signature, the menu extends beyond this local favorite. Patrons can order classic sandwiches, salads, soups, and lunch-counter staples – everything made simply, with care.

The preparation style leans into the store’s retro roots: nothing is over engineered, but every bite feels intentional. Portion sizes are modest, and the food is priced to remain accessible. Whether you stop in for a quick burger or linger for a soda and a light lunch, the menu feels deeply connected to the drugstore’s heritage.

It’s not a trendy diner; it’s a place where people have eaten the same kinds of meals for generations, and where the food nourishes both body and memory.

5. A Gathering Spot for Locals and Travelers

Borroum’s has always been more than a shop – it’s a gathering place. Locals come for their prescriptions and stay for conversation and comfort food. Visitors on road trips often make a point to stop by, drawn in by the legend of the slugburger trail and the appeal of a working vintage soda fountain.

The atmosphere encourages lingering: folks sit at the counter, trade stories with the soda jerk, or browse the memorabilia on the walls. Because the store is family-run and has stayed in continuous operation, there’s a strong sense of continuity.

Generations of Corinth residents have grown up with Borroum’s as part of their routine, and new generations carry on the tradition.

6. Preserving History, One Artifact at a Time

Walking through Borroum’s feels like touring a small museum. Display cases are filled with Civil War relics, Native American arrowheads, antique medicine bottles, and old family photos. The ownership has deliberately kept these artifacts as part of the store’s fabric, not as a separate museum.

At the same time, the pharmacy side continues to function: customers still pick up prescriptions, and staff maintain the care and personal touch of a family business. The dual role of drugstore and historical site gives Borroum’s a rare character.

It not only preserves memories but invites people to make new ones – at the counter, over a soda, or while biting into a slugburger.

7. A Taste of Regional Pride

The slugburger at Borroum’s is more than just food – it’s an emblem of regional identity. In northeast Mississippi, slugburgers represent resilience, ingenuity, and tradition. Locals take the same pride in their slugburger that others might reserve for hamburgers or barbecue.

The cheap, hearty sandwich is a link to the town’s past, and enjoying one at Borroum’s is almost a pilgrimage for slugburger enthusiasts. Over the years, food writers and travelers have praised Borroum’s for maintaining authenticity and honoring the sandwich’s origins.

The store is featured on the state’s “Slugburger Trail,” and its burger draws people not just because of its history, but because it genuinely tastes good and feels meaningful.

8. Why Borroum’s Still Matters Today

In a world filled with chain pharmacies and fast-food joints, Borroum’s Drug Store stands out as a rare, unchanged refuge. It’s an operating drugstore, a soda fountain, a restaurant, and a mini-museum all in one.

Its continuous family ownership connects modern-day patrons to generations past, giving the place an emotional weight that goes beyond nostalgia. Today, as travelers make their way through northern Mississippi, Borroum’s remains a destination – a place where the past and present coexist.

The slugburger may be its most celebrated offering, but the real magic lies in the environment: warmth, history, tradition, and a sense that you’re stepping into something timeless.