Should you wonder while you begin to read this post why I opted to drive outside of my beloved home state of Louisiana to visit the proud lady of Mississippi, my answer is simply that my wonderful friend, David Leach, (who coincidentally is the brother and son of the proud owners of this establishment) asked me to venture out on a road trip with him from our home in North Louisiana, and I certainly couldn’t pass up this grand opportunity!   

Built by Henry Gaude’ in 1940, Mammy’s Cupboard in Natchez, Mississippi stands over forty feet in height as a beacon of an era long since past located on Highway 61 South.  Serving as not only a restaurant, the cupboard has withstood the tests of time as a gas station, craft center as well as various gift shops until she was reopened in her original glory as a restaurant in 1994 by Ms. Doris Kemp.

 As a child, I fondly recall many family trips to Mobile, Alabama visiting my grandfather there while he was working and our weekend travels that brought our little family outings to the hemline of Mammy’s apron.  Today, like so many recall from the past, Mammy’s doors are open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. bidding weary travelers “welcome”, as well as those who just can’t help but see the proud lady from a distance and stop in for a bite of scratch made menu items and daily lunch specials! 

Now operated by the Martin Family, Lorna, her daughter Tori Martin, and even her mother Ms. Mary Holland, stand with arms wide open welcoming all tourists, as well as guests of special notoriety such television stars as Hillary Swank and Holly Hunter, as well as those Natchez locals in the same manner that they have done for many years. 

But the journey to Mammy’s doesn’t even begin until you walk through the doors and have a seat in the dining room! With scratch made bread that was seeded from a starter over 30 years ago, Mammy’s offers specialty sandwiches designed to satisfy even the hungriest diners with their thinly sliced savory roast beef, oven roasted turkey (divinely topped with their house-made blueberry chutney, avocados and adorned with your choice of amenities), traditional ham & Swiss, Reuben and even Peanut Butter topped with house made jelly. Now if you’re seeking a little less tradition and a little more “signature” Mammy’s flare, one can’t go wrong with Mammy’s scratch made chicken salad, fashioned with an exotic blend of cut chicken breasts, pineapples, almonds, curry, and ginger that can be indulged by diners as a sandwich or as a salad plate served with crackers, and perfectly paired with a cup of Mammy’s scratch-made vegetable beef soup. 

Should you be a traveler with a heavier appetite, Mammy’s offers diners with daily lunch specials each day of the week. On Tuesday’s, Mammy’s wows with Brazilian Black Beans, yellow rice, tossed green salad and broccoli cornbread, Wednesday’s one can’t go wrong with the Chicken Rosemary (baked chicken with fresh herbs in a light mushroom sauce), Thursday’s it’s Roasted Pork Loin with Mammy’s signature muscadine glaze sauce, garden rice and southern green beans, filling diners up on Friday’s is their scratch made chicken pot pie loaded with tender chicken, vegetables and a flaky crust baked to perfection; and, if that’s not enough for you there’s always Saturday’s red beans n’ rice with Mammy’s layered salad consisting of lettuce, tomatoes, snow peas, cheese, and bacon bits just to name a smidgin’ of the ingredients, and served with some of the most delectable Mexican cornbread this foodie has had in quite some time!

Now, if you should have room and can’t stand departing without filling your “sweet tooth”, Mammy’s can most certainly accommodate!  With such timeless classics as coconut cream pie, chocolate cream pie, Italian Cream Cake, to the not so “classic” banana caramel pie – your visit to Mammy’s will leave you fully satisfied and planning your next trip to the beautiful city of Natchez all the way home, and knowing why Mammy’s was voted as “Deep South USA’s Top 10”!

For a palatable sampling of historical eateries one need not travel outside the lovely confines of our beloved state of Louisiana, but if you chose to do so, start your journey down “Flavor Avenue” with this locale and many more! Just remember to roll up your sleeves and don’t be afraid to dig in to savor that local flavor!

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                Special “thanks” to the Martin Family and their phenomenal southern hospitality!