Mama E’s: food from the soul and shady restaurant of the month
by Andrew | January 19, 2008 | 20 Comments
(votes: 17, average: 4) 
Loading ...Mama E’s Wings and Waffles is located at 3838 Springlake Dr in Oklahoma City (map). They are open Tuesday through Friday from 11am to 7pm, closing at 6pm on Wednesday. Give Mama a call at 405-424-0800.
Have you ever wondered what “soul food” is? Visit Mama E’s and they will be glad to educate you. I told the friendly lady preparing my meal a couple days ago how glad I was to find a soul food joint in this town and she said, “Baby, this is truly soul food because we make it with lots of love from deep down in our soul.” I’ll tell you what else it does; it warms the soul. In short, “soul food” is “comfort food”and Mama E makes it as well as anyone I know. Soul food is made the way all comfort food should be made. The made-from-scratch gravies are creamy, the casseroles are cheesy, and everything comes with an extra scoop of lard for flavor.
Not only is Mama E’s great, it’s shady too. It’s a small little shack in a less-than-desirable part of town (off 36th between Kelly and Martin Luther King). Luckily, Mama shuts down before it gets too late, so it’s usually pretty safe to frequent during operating hours. Mama E’s is open from 11-7 Tuesday through Friday, but they close at 6 on Wednesday. Mama says, “You better be goin’ to Wednesday night meetin’ at Church!!” Mama E’s has 4 or 5 tables and a long bar with seats as well. Lots of people came and got food to go while we ate. After seeing the portions Mama serves, I’m sure these people were taking them home to share.
Mama E’s has several fantastic offerings to choose from. Chicken and waffles, burgers, catfish, fried ribs, and pork-chop sandwiches. The chicken and waffles are amazing (dusted with powdered sugar), but to me, the real shining star is the Soul Food Daily Special. Sure, it’s $9.95, but wait until you hear what it includes! You get two meats, three sides, a roll or cornbread, dessert, and all-you-can-drink Kool-Aid! When I say two meats, I mean two full servings of meat. When I say three sides, I mean you better be ready for an afternoon nap when you get back to work. You get a roll or a slice of cornbread (or in my case she gave me both because I was taking too long to decide) and dessert, which could range from bread pudding to sweet potato pie (both are great, according to my lunch companions). I’ll admit, I’ve never made it to dessert. First, I’m not a big dessert fan, and second, not many people can make it through two meats and three sides and live to describe the desserts. In all reality, the soul food special could, and probably should, feed 2 people.
Meats can include a variety of options from day to day. You might get neckbone, chicken and dressing, pork-chops, meatloaf, catfish, fried tilapia (or other whitefish), spaghetti casserole, stroganoff, beef tips, fried ribs, or the like. If you have never had neckbone, try Mama E’s. It’s perfectly seasoned and slow cooked for hours until it’s fall-off-the-(neck)bone tender. To give you a perspective on portion sizes, a typical neckbone is about the size of a man’s fist. Granted, its not loaded with tons of meat, but she loads up 3 or 4 of these chunks of flavor for one serving. The stroganoff had big chunks of meat in a homemade gravy. It was very filling and very tasty. The sides were fantastic as well. Baked macaroni and cheese was perfectly done, mashed potatoes had a homemade turkey gravy drizzled all over them, and I also tried a squash, okra, and tomato saute of some sort that was unique and flavorful. Of course, you can also get corn, greens, beans, yams, cabbage, or whatever else Mama has cooked up for the day.
Next time I think I will bring the whole thing home and split it with my wife. I’m pretty much useless after a meal like that if I try to conquer it by myself. And how can you go wrong with Kool-Aid? Its one of those things that you would never be caught drinking while out with your buddies, but Mama makes everyone drink Kool-Aid, and it’s a nice nostalgic flashback. It’s also funny to see all your buddies with Kool-Aid mustaches.
If you have never had soul food you are missing out on a passionate art form, tasty food, and some of the nicest people you will ever meet. Go visit mama, but bring a big appetite!
(4.75 out of 5)
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So far, 20 people have responded to this article. Won't you join in?January 29th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Thanks for finding places like this. Sounds great!
January 30th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Yeah, that’s my Pastor and his wife, but what you don’t realize is the wife isn’t the one who cooks, it’s the Pastor who cooks and he can get down. He gets down in the kitchen and on the church pulpit, and yes they are the nicest people that you could ever meet and also my sister can braid some hair to go along with the restaurant so they got it all around. Come visit them at Mama E’s and at DAP. They both are the bomb.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Yes, Mamma E’s has great food at affordable prices. There is always something new at Mamma E’s. Pastor Keith also caters private parties, weddings, and family reunions. So, when you want food that Good to the Soul, call Mamma E’s @ 424-0800
January 31st, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Mama E’s has a wonderful menu selection and it’s made fresh daily. I know God has great plans for Pastor Patterson’s restaurant as well as his ministry of deliverance and praise.
January 31st, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Never judge a building by its looks, because once you taste the food you will be hooked.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
The food is simply delicious. The environment is friendly and has a family feel to it. The staff are outgoing and work hard to make sure the dining experience is great as well. If you want a taste of heaven just go to Mama E’s and you wont be disappointed.
May 9th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
This is my best friend and his wife. He has always been able to cook. Im very proud of him and his wife and wish them great success. The food is GREAT ! ! !
May 18th, 2008 at 10:12 am
The staff at Mama E’s was very polite and attentive. The food was very reasonably priced, especially considering how delicious and fresh the fare. We will definitely be going back in the near future.
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Plain and simple Mama E’s is one of the best places you can eat in the metro. It may not be the most attractive location or area of town but those who venture out of their comfort zone are in for an incredible surprise. The fried chicken is incredible, the portions are enormous and the free kool aid ties the whole meal together just the way it should. Do not miss this diamond in the rough.
June 27th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
My wife and I caught a late lunch and as we left at 1:45 pm, the line was still almost to the door. For good reason, the food and atmosphere at Mama E’s is like no other dining experience. The Soul Food Daily Special portions are huge, but I would recommend ordering off the menu for the true Soul Food experience of fried food. All of the staff is extremely friendly and welcoming, so don’t feel intimidated at all. Also, I don’t know what they do to the Kool-Aid, but it is better than I remember as a kid.
I’ve literally “drank the Kool-Aid” as a new Mama E’s fan!!!
July 1st, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Praise The Lord for Mama E’s!
Great People! Great Food!
Soul food at its best. The wings and waffles are on point! And the daily special may be 9.95, but its at least 2 meals - so worth it.
The trip from Norman will be a regular event.
Mama E is definitely looking down with a smile.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I just ate there today for the first time. It was SO great. I had the special, which came with fried pork chops, chicken and dressing, macaroni and cheese, black-eyed peas, cornbread, cake, and Kool-aid, of course! It was FANTASTIC! Every bit of it!
It’s a bit of a drive from Norman, but it’s well worth the trip. Plus the people are so friendly!
July 10th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Did you ever want to leave Arkansas and drive 7 hours to a restaurant in Oklahoma City because of its review from a trustworthy critic? A few more items dumped in my bag, I’m on my way to the shady zone in Oklahoma City! No snacks for me in route….I’ll be ready.
July 12th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
OMGoodness! Off the Hook! That’s Mama E’s.
I went on Thursday with one daughter and went back on Friday with the other daughter! This is indeed be a regular diner for our family for sure. Listen, I can cook soul food very well, but when you are short on time and that craving hits…you know the place to go…Mama E’s!
August 1st, 2008 at 11:50 am
One of the best eating experiences I have ever had. I just got back to work and had to post my thoughts; I’ve never been so satisified and tired. The people working there are wonderful, and the food is just as amazing. Prices are more than reasonable. I think I found my new favorite place in OKC.
August 1st, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I kept seeing the Mama E’s signs by the side of the road that promised good home cooking! I was not disappointed!!! The restaurant is tiny and I can see why it was voted “shady restaurant of the month.” But I’ll tell you what, my five co-workers and I left fat and happy! The best mac and cheese I have had in a long time! The owners and staff were very hospitable. I’ll be back for sure…however, it may not be until I loose the 5 lbs I gained while eating there!!
August 1st, 2008 at 1:11 pm
My mom used to make stewed tomatoes with okra. It was my favorite. Mama E’s makes it just like mom’s and possibly better. I’m a vegetarian, so I ate a bunch of side dishes, but I left there so full, I was in pain. Yum.
August 3rd, 2008 at 11:56 am
You will not regret going to this place. The food is delicious and the staff is great!
August 6th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I just got back from lunch and all I can say is I ate way too much! The food was awesome and the staff were very friendly. I sure felt welcome and will surely be going back soon!
October 5th, 2008 at 9:27 am
A project I’m involved with is not terribly far from Mamma E’s. I recently decided my first trip post-project completion will be the short drive over to Mamma E’s. I think I might stay til they throw me out.
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