Mississippi’s Only Food Hall Just Opened in Ocean Springs. Here’s Why CRAVE Is a Game-Changer.

Located in the heart of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, CRAVE Food Hall is transforming the local dining scene with a fresh and modern approach. Set within the new os1515 Downtown mixed-use development, CRAVE is the only food hall of its kind in the entire state. 

The concept brings together a curated mix of local restaurant vendors, a vibrant indoor and outdoor cocktail bar called PROOF, and an open courtyard created for live music, community events, and outdoor dining. It is not just a place to grab a meal. It is a destination that is reshaping the hospitality experience along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

CRAVE anchors a larger vision. The surrounding property features a 32-room boutique hotel, 14 two-bedroom condos, and retail shops and other amenities that are still under construction. From its culinary programming to its design, the food hall combines big-city flavor with a small-town heartbeat.

At the center of it all is GoTab, the entertainment commerce platform designed for dynamic venues like CRAVE. It allows guests to order seamlessly across multiple concepts, gives vendors control over their operations, and provides CRAVE with the flexibility to scale.

A Culinary Experience Like No Other

CRAVE Food Hall features eight chef-driven vendors serving a global mix of cuisines, including Italian, Central American, and Chicago-style street food. It also houses a cocktail bar called PROOF, which serves both the indoor dining space and the courtyard.

Each vendor brings a distinct flavor and story, but together they form a cohesive experience that’s elevating the local dining scene. Guests can enjoy a drink under the Mississippi sky, walk through a space full of color and community, and taste their way through diverse, authentic dishes curated by chefs who know the Gulf Coast palate.

“This is about creating a space where food meets art, and locals feel just as at home as visitors,” General Manager Todd Reilly said. “We're local from top to bottom, including developers, contractors, and vendors.”

Why GoTab Was the Clear Choice

When the team behind os1515 Downtown began building the CRAVE concept, one of the biggest hurdles was finding a technology partner that could match the complexity of their vision. They needed a point-of-sale system that could unify eight separate kitchens, support both indoor and outdoor service areas, and deliver a seamless guest experience from order to pickup.

After evaluating more than 15 point-of-sale providers, GoTab stood out as the only platform capable of meeting all their needs.

“I reached out to two or three others that are very well known in the industry, and they basically told me what I wanted couldn’t be done,” Reilly said. “But I had already talked to one that said it was possible – and that was GoTab.”

Today, all CRAVE vendors use GoTab for order processing, QR code-based customer interactions, and kitchen display systems (KDS) for fulfillment. Customers scan a single QR code, browse all menu options from every vendor, and complete their order in one unified cart.

“We were looking for a single-payer system that could support multiple vendors while giving guests one fluid, easy experience,” Reilly shared. GoTab’s real-time updates and centralized communication system allow vendors to manage their operations independently while keeping the guest journey intuitive and smooth.

“We’re trying to keep it as streamlined as possible,” Reilly said. “All the vendors are on QR. It gives the customer one consistent experience, no matter who they order from.”

Educating and Elevating the Customer Journey

Adoption has been steady, with guests gradually learning how to navigate the digital-first system. For many customers, it’s their first experience with QR ordering or app-less mobile tabs. Reilly, who also worked in culinary education for over a decade, is using the opportunity to teach.

“I walk around and explain it to people who aren’t familiar,” he said. “Once they understand how it works, they love it. It’s just a matter of getting them comfortable with it.”

Vendors, too, are learning to embrace the system. Some transitioned from food trucks and have never used a tech platform this robust. While GoTab offers multiple ways to manage the same task, Reilly is helping standardize practices across the board to ensure efficiency and consistency.

“GoTab gives you options, and sometimes that can be overwhelming,” he said. “But the flexibility is what makes it so powerful.”

The team is actively working to enhance two-way communication through the KDS system, aiming to move beyond basic “your order is ready” notifications. The goal is to empower vendors to ask questions, clarify orders, and engage with guests in real time for a more connected and responsive experience.

A One-of-Its-Kind Concept with Local Roots

Ocean Springs is no stranger to creativity. Its coastal charm and deep artistic culture made it the perfect home for CRAVE. But this is a town that thrives on local ties, so big ideas must be grounded in real relationships.

“This isn’t a big city,” Reilly explained. “We have five small towns strung together along the coast. Ocean Springs happens to be the town everyone gathers in.”

Ocean Springs is located near Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi and about 20 miles from several of the region’s most popular casinos, making it a strategic hub for both local residents and out-of-town visitors.

That proximity makes CRAVE’s location strategic. Whether serving vacationers from nearby resorts or commuters from surrounding counties, the food hall is helping redefine how people on the Gulf Coast gather and eat.

The concept is built on more than just vision and technology. It reflects the personal experiences and travels of its founding team. One of the co-founders is from Miami, where food halls are well-established. After visiting similar venues across the country, the team set out to bring that same energy to Mississippi while ensuring every aspect of the project stayed rooted in the local community. The vendors, developers, and contractors were all chosen from the region.

“We wanted something that felt fresh but still belonged,” Reilly said. “And I think we’ve done that.”

Key Takeaways

Venue: CRAVE Food Hall, Ocean Springs, Miss.

Opened: May 15, 2025

GoTab Tools Used: QR ordering, KDS (Kitchen Display System), centralized single-payer POS system, customer communication tools

Results: Seamless multi-vendor ordering, faster guest onboarding, high-volume service with minimal friction, consistent guest experiences across eight unique vendors

Why It Works: GoTab powers CRAVE’s chef-driven food hall model by unifying multiple independent kitchens into one cohesive guest journey, all while giving vendors the flexibility and control they need to thrive.

A Mississippi Exclusive: As the only food hall in the state, CRAVE is setting the standard for tech-enabled hospitality. Its indoor-outdoor layout, vibrant courtyard, and diverse culinary lineup make it a unique draw for locals, vacationers, and military families, attracting guests of all ages and backgrounds.

Learn More: Explore how CRAVE is redefining community dining through art, culture, and technology by visiting https://os1515.com/crave-food-hall/. 

‍