Momma’s Roadside Grill
Falkville, Morgan County
This joint is not on the AL.com
list of 22 Greasy Spoon Burger Joints in Alabama
you have to visit before you die.
A while ago, this was a BBQ restaurant, so I went there to check it out
for my BBQ quest - only to discover that they just applied the finishing
touches to the place to transfer it into a steakhouse. I was disappointed that
the BBQ place had slipped through my hands, but what the heck, since I was
already there and was hungry, too, I decided to eat there anyway.
The restaurant is just off Exit 322 on I-65, and they have a huge
parking lot to accommodate hungry truckers – lots of them. The building itself
is also gigantic, like a gymnasium. Unfortunately, it has a train station feel
to it – there is nothing cozy or homey, just a vast dining room with tables and
chairs. I was the only guest in there, but I could imagine how loud and
uncomfortable it must be when the place is full of people.
Their menu is not very extensive, with only 6 different burgers and
sandwiches, and another 6 entrees like steak and catfish on it. Which is
usually a good thing – apparently they want to concentrate on a few things and
do them right. Nothing wrong with that.
I chose the Momma’s Steak Cheeseburger, double of course. I came with
steak fries, fried onion rings on top of the bun that were kept in place by a
knife instead of the more customary toothpicks. Nice touch.
Unfortunately, the truly delicious onion rings were the best part of
the meal. The steak fries were kind of dry and bland. The burger meat, pure
certified Angus beef, was also dry and I had to use a gallon of ketchup to wash
it down. Flavor wise it certainly was no revelation, but much better than the
common industrial burger served at your national chains. I could taste the meat
aroma because it was not blanketed with a multitude of spices. Additionally to
the two meat patties, there was a big crisp and fresh green salad leaf and some
melted cheese.
All in all, if you are a trucker and who tries to avoid the golden
arches once in a while, this is a good place to go. As a destination restaurant
for gourmets, the atmosphere and the food are too bland and ordinary.
