Big Mama's feeds appetite, soul

FORT WALTON BEACH — It was a rainy Monday, and Frank and I had left the car lot around 3 p.m. in search of somewhere to have a late lunch.

For some reason, when we are in Fort Walton Beach in the early afternoon, we both become ravenously hungry as if we can’t survive until we get back home or to a Destin restaurant.

On this particular Monday, we had dismissed all of our other favorite lunch places for fear of over-doing a good thing. Then we drove past an unfamiliar and unlikely-looking place, and hunger inspired us to stop and take a chance.

I sincerely hope Big Mama’s Soul Food Buffet will prosper for a very long time, because it’s definitely made my list of favorite restaurants.

The ambiance is quite casual and down-home, but “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service.” It’s also a place where a customer is treated like an old friend, and pleasant conversation with other diners and the owners is encouraged.

Located at 7 Carson Drive just off Hollywood Boulevard, Big Mama’s is a modest place with simple, home-cooked food served as an all-you-can-eat buffet.

The owners, Charlie and Bessie (also known as “Mama”), have a delightful cafe where I felt instantly as if I’d gone back in time to my Grandma Gertrude’s kitchen with its colorful oilcloth table covers and the smell of fresh vegetables cooking on the stove and cornbread baking in the oven.

And just like my grandma’s kitchen, the décor was a collage of crosses, angels, religious pictures, plaques declaring happy thoughts, such as “Have a blessed day. God loves you,” and Bible scriptures. My favorite wall poster proclaimed “Spend your time counting your blessings, not airing your complaints.”

On this particular day, Frank and I had smothered pork chops, fried chicken, collard greens, snap beans, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, buttermilk corn bread and peach cobbler. Each fare was like heaven’s manna. Well, at least everything but the pig feet, which I didn’t try. My spouse assured me that dish was good, too, but I think I’ll just take his word for it.

Tuesday’s meat is Salisbury steak; Wednesday is chicken and dumplings; Thursday, turkey, and Friday mullet or catfish. Saturday is barbecue day. They also cater and offer a variety of homemade desserts, pies, cakes, and cobblers.

Charlie and Mama’s place is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. with the breakfast buffet to 8 p.m. with supper. The food and sweet tea, besides being wonderful, is also inexpensive.

We both ate lunch for under $18. Breakfast is $5.57. The most expensive meal is the chitterling dinner with rice, greens, cornbread, and dessert at $9.

My Alabama relatives were fond of this particular menu at family reunions, except they pronounced and spelled it chitlins. For the uninitiated gourmet, that’s the viscera intestines of a pig that have been prepared as food and can be served fried, roasted, or stewed. Even though it takes an experienced cook, like Mama, to prepare them properly, I’m not brave enough to try them.

Take-out is available at $3.85 a pound. We took our business partner a to-go box of Mama’s food, and he’s still thanking us.

When I left Charlie and Mama, I felt I’d made two new friends, and in fact, discovered to my delight that we shared a friend in common. They knew Willie Simmons, one of my very favorite people. According to Mama, he comes in often asking for his special Wednesday senior citizen discount even if it’s Tuesday or Friday. It’s kind of a running joke.

I picked up a business card from the counter on my way out. The logo on the card said it all: “Mixing a touch of love with a touch of soul.”



Mary Ready of Destin is a twice-retired English teacher and long-time area resident. Her columns are published on Saturdays in the Destin Log.

QuickBites

Big Mama’s Soul Food Buffet

Location

7 Carson Drive N.E.

Fort Walton Beach

Telephone

850-314-7685

Hours

6 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Reservations

Not necessary

Price range

$5.57 for breakfast to $9 for the chitterling dinner

$3.85 per pound for take-out