Momma's is back! Here's a first look inside the new and improved Memphis dive bar

Depending which direction you're driving on what Memphians call "the Old Memphis Bridge," Momma’s is the last bar in Memphis … or the first. 

This bar and restaurant at 855 Kentucky St. is a spot for Memphians and out-of-towners alike to stop in for an ice-cold beer and a burger, a plate lunch or even breakfast.

“We want to be a comfortable place for the weary traveler, the neighborhood flunky, the local student, the blue collar repairman, the brain surgeon and everyone in between,” said owner Aldo Dean, who also owns restaurants including Aldo’s Pizza Pies, Slider Inn and Bardog Tavern.

A new and improved Momma’s reopened Aug. 17 after a two-year renovation.

With a trucker-theme, Momma’s was intentionally designed to take care of all the various folks living and working in the neighborhood — from the factory workers down the street to the truck drivers coming through town to the residents living in the South Bluff neighborhood. Dean said it is meant to be a place for everyone to come and feel at home — and have a good meal and some fun.

With more than 300 yards of street parking, it is the only Downtown eatery conducive to park an 18-wheeler.

The 'roadside' fare at Momma's

Like any good roadside restaurant, Momma’s offers a little something for everyone.

Momma’s executive chef John Haley has created an eclectic menu that ranges from burgers to plate lunches.

Start with the Smoked Wings — which are a new addition to the menu. You can choose from a variety of sauces and rubs ranging from a spicy “Screaming Buffalo” to a milder Lemon-Pepper. Deviled eggs and cheese curds are also good shareable dishes to enjoy.

A burger at Momma’s is not your everyday burger. Each burger on the menu starts with a half-pound hand-pattied Certified Angus Beef patty.

“The Bubba” is the classic all-American burger topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and American cheese. If feeling extra hungry, order the “Bubba Goes to Poundtown” — which is a double Bubba with two half-pound patties.

The menu offers eight burgers total — ranging from ones topped with house-made pimento cheese or BBQ bourbon mayo to a black bean and rice veggie burger.

If a fried chicken sandwich is your go-to, make sure to try “The Firebird.” A crispy fried chicken breast is topped with bacon, pickles, fried onions, two cheeses (Swiss and cheddar) and their spicy “Memphis Mojo” sauce.

Plate-lunches change daily, but the Smoked Pork Chop is always on the menu. It’s a 12-ounce bone-in pork chop served with Italian spinach, mashed potatoes and a chunky house-made apple sauce garnish.

“We even have chicken soup on the menu,” Dean said. “Just like your momma makes.”

Momma’s happens to be among the earliest-opening breakfast spots in town. While most breakfast restaurants open at 7 a.m., Momma’s doors open at 6:30 a.m.

“We wanted to be open for the third-shift factory workers that get off around 6 a.m.,” said Eric Bourgeois, the marketing director for Dean’s restaurant group, Packed House Productions.

Buttery homestyle biscuits, steak and eggs, and buttermilk pancakes are just a handful of the breakfast menu items that can be ordered with a hot cup of “leaded” joe.

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'The only trucker-themed bar in America'

While the restaurant and bar is more than double its original size, loyal guests will be glad to see the original “dive bar” charm of the indoor dining room and bar is still the same. Red leather booths, a juke box, a long bar and low ceilings lined with strings of tiny lights keep the space moody and cool.

“Momma’s is dedicated to the long-haulers. We researched it, and we are the only trucker-themed bar in America,” said Bourgeois, as he pointed to the collection of license plates from all 50 states that line the walls and vintage trucker movie posters.

He explained that a dive bar is all about layers, as he pointed to the walls that are covered with memorabilia. Even the menu encourages guests to bring items to add to the collection. “Bring us your trucker stuff (hats, belt buckles, shirts, etc.) and we’ll put ‘em up in Momma’s somewhere.”

The major renovations and expansion happened on the deck and in the kitchen

The expansive outdoor patio, which has been nicknamed the “double-wide,” is twice as large and also now has a stage for live music and is Americans with Disabilities Act accessible. A 24-foot garage door connecting the original covered patio to the addition will remain open on pretty days and close during inclement weather.

Dean thought of the customer experience when he designed the deck. “There is not a bad seat on the deck. There is a great view of the stage from each seat,” he said, as he explained that the seats farthest away from the stage are higher than those that are closer, creating an “amphitheater-like” experience.

The new deck also has shade sails and fans to keep customers cool on hot, sunny days. Outdoor heaters will be added in cooler weather.

The largest expansion was to the kitchen — which has been expanded and remodeled.

“The biggest problem was that we had no back door. Deliveries went in the front door and trash went out it. Now we have a back door for all that,” said Dean, adding that Momma’s may be a dive bar, but it will have clean restrooms and a clean kitchen.

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Expect live music several nights a week and promotions like “Free Burger Mondays” where every seventh burger out of the kitchen is free. There even will be an official arm wrestling table sanctioned by the World Arm Wrestling Association, Dean said.

“Momma’s is a sweet name for an establishment like this,” he said. “It’s got an irreverent quality for a dive bar, don’t you think?”

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer. 

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Momma’s

Where: 855 Kentucky St.

Hours: 6:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday (starting in September)

Online: mommasbar.com

Phone: (901) 207-5111

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Momma's in Memphis reopens: What to expect at renovated restaurant