Est. 1987 · Family Style · Southern Kitchen

Good food,
cooked with
real love.

Pick your meat, pick your three sides, and let us do the rest. Scratch-made Southern cooking the way grandma intended — no shortcuts, no fuss.

Scratch-Made Daily Open Mon – Sat, 10:30am – 8pm Pick Your Meat & Three Fresh Cornbread Every Hour Family Recipes Since 1987 Catering Available Scratch-Made Daily Open Mon – Sat, 10:30am – 8pm Pick Your Meat & Three Fresh Cornbread Every Hour Family Recipes Since 1987 Catering Available

Three generations.
One table.

Mama Lou started cooking in 1987 out of a simple belief: that a hot, home-cooked plate could fix most things. What began as a tiny counter with six stools has grown into one of the county's most beloved lunch spots — but the recipes haven't changed a bit.

Every morning we start from scratch. Collards slow-simmered since dawn. Cornbread baked on the hour. Meatloaf with grandma's glaze. Come hungry. Leave with a to-go box.

37
Years Open
12+
Sides Daily
100%
Scratch Made
Restaurant Photo
Kitchen Photo
Food Photo

Something different, every single day.

Beyond our regular menu, each day brings a special that rotates weekly. These are the plates regulars call ahead about — show up early before they run out.

Monday
Pot Roast
Chuck roast, root vegetables, brown gravy over egg noodles
Tuesday
Chicken & Dumplings
Thick dumplings, slow-stewed hen, parsley cream broth
Wednesday
Beef Liver & Onions
Caramelized sweet onions, butter-seared liver, hot sauce on the side
Thursday
Ham Steak
Bone-in country ham, red-eye gravy, biscuits instead of cornbread
Friday
Fried Shrimp
Gulf shrimp, seasoned cornmeal, comeback sauce
Saturday
Oxtail Stew
Braised low-and-slow, served over white rice — gets gone by noon
How It Works

Ordering is simple as Sunday.

Walk up to the counter, make your picks, find your seat. That's all there is to it.

1

Pick Your Meat

Step up to the counter and choose one of our daily proteins — fried chicken, meatloaf, pork chop, and more.

2

Choose Three Sides

Mix and match from twelve or more fresh-made sides — collards, mac & cheese, butter beans, and everything in between.

3

Sit Down & Enjoy

Find a table, your cornbread will be right out. Hot food, honest prices, family atmosphere. Come back soon.

Come on in,
the door's always open.

Hours
Monday – Saturday: 10:30 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm (lunch only)
Last plate served 30 min before close
Location
1240 Old Mill Road
Gardendale, AL 35071

Ample parking in our back lot off Pine Street.
Phone & Catering
(205) 555-0187
Call ahead for catering orders of 10 or more.
Family trays available daily.
Mama Lou's Kitchen