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.