Big Momma’s Fine Food Serves Comfort From the Kitchen
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Looking for a meal that will fill your stomach and comfort your soul? Come home to Momma.
Big Momma’s Fine Food on South Second Street in Monroe is the place to visit for “every kind of soul food you could want,” says Deidre Mathis, manager – and the owner’s daughter.
“We have pork chops, lasagna, fried chicken, beef tips, barbecued ribs, candied yams, green beans, corn, mustard greens, black-eyed peas, corn bread, homemade yeast rolls … anything like that,” Mathis says.
And that’s not even counting dessert, which comes in huge portions.
“For dessert, we have peach cobbler, currant pie, sweet potato pie, blackberry cobbler, banana pudding, all kinds of homemade cakes – chocolate cake, pound cake, rum cake, lemon cake – just any kind,” she says.
Patrons come back again and again for the food, but they also come for the homey atmosphere. Big Momma’s treats customers like family – perhaps because this is a family operation. Two of Big Momma Dorothy Gilbert’s children work with her at the restaurant, as do three grandchildren.
“It’s a dream come true for my mother,” Mathis says. “She wanted to have her own restaurant, so she worked hard to achieve her dream.”
And no wonder. Diners say Big Momma’s serves some of the best food in Louisiana – by the nicest people.
“The food is wonderful ... and the smiles, even better!” says Van Pardue, president of the Northeast Louisiana Market President for Community Trust Bank. “We need more thriving businesses like this on the south side.” According to her customers, Big Momma’s is a restaurant with a lot of soul.
“We’re known for having the best soul food in town,” Mathis says. “If you’re looking for home-cooking, everyone sends you to Big Momma’s.”
Story by Carol Cowan
Photo by Todd Bennett
