Mama’s Kitchen: Big BBQ Flavor in a Small Town

Well worth the 45 minute drive to the outskirts of Barnesville, on a small hill next to a Flash Foods and a run-down strip mall, is an unassuming trailer that disguises the magic happening inside. Mama’s Kitchen, owned by Thomas and Angie Wellbrook, is everything you want in a local barbeque joint and more. Drawn by the siren song of something called the “Big Bill,” my partner-in- crime and I hustled up the road toward Lamar County.

Beneath its unassuming exterior beats the heart of a mighty bbq beast.
Beneath its humble exterior beats the heart of a mighty bbq beast.

After a slight mishap involving a lack of cash (Mama’s Kitchen is currently unable to accept credit cards because, as the owner kindly explained, the cable company has been unsuccessfully trying to run an internet line to them for the past few months. #countryproblems), we made our choices. First, we ordered what we came for: Big Bill’s Brisket Burger – a thin patty with white American cheese, barbeque sauce, mayo, onion, bacon, and pickled jalapenos topped with a juicy slice of brisket. Next was the Ole Henry; like Big Bill’s Brisket, it  comes with white American cheese, barbeque sauce, and mayo, but is topped with two onion rings and their house-made BRISKET BACON. OMG.

We were content with these two behemoths, but someone decided that he wanted to contribute a quarter to a local charitable organization in the old standard “drop your change into the tiny bowl in the bucket of water” game of chance set up at the order counter. Two seconds after a rousing proclamation of, “I never win these things!!” the first quarter hit its mark and we enjoyed our free juicy pulled pork sandwich as a glorious appetizer. Some guys have all the luck…

While we were waiting for our burgers, the owner half-jokingly explained that he started the business as a way to get his wife and mother-in-law out of his hair by setting up a place for them to serve a quick breakfast and lunch. Once the economy started to flat-line, Thomas, who had been in the construction business, decided to make the place a full-time business and began smoking meat for the lucky residents of Barnesville. The steady stream of regulars have their favorite sandwiches named after them: a local hairdresser has his special grilled chicken sandwich up on the board, and a custom Philly sandwich was christened the Brad White, after the current Lamar County sheriff. What looks like a random path leading up between the kitchen and the smoker is actually designed as a makeshift drive-thru for the many truckers who pass by on Highway 341 who are free to call ahead and have their order brought out to the cab. Thomas uses his special blend of seasonings on everything from the pork to the ribs to the brisket, and it is glorious.

Meat magic.
Meat magic happens here.

Suffice it to say, the burgers were excellent. I mean truly excellent. The flavor balance was perfect, the brisket tender, the house sauce sweet but with a delightful peppery kick. Almost all of the sides are made fresh right there in that little kitchen. We regretted not sampling the potato salad, but with two burgers and a free sammich to plough through, I think we had more than enough for one afternoon’s indulgence. Go. Take cash and go. Immediately. They’re open until 6:30 p.m. so you can even call ahead and grab an early dinner if you can’t make the trip for lunch. We plan on going often enough to someday convince him to name an epic burger after us as well.

The glorious Big Bill.
The glorious Big Bill…
The surprise favorite of the day: Ole Henry.
…and the surprise favorite of the day: Ole Henry.

Melanie Bruchet

Melanie is a lawyer, bookmaven, trivia buff, and self-proclaimed cat lady. A native of the Conch Republic, half Yankee, and proud French citizen, she was raised ready and willing to eat anything and everything that crawls, swims, or grows in the dirt (except cilantro – that stuff is vile). On any given day, you can find her experimenting in her kitchen with fresh local produce paired with exotic spices and flavors, searching for the next great bourbon, or possibly eating an entire block of cheese while watching Anthony Bourdain. Her life goals are to complete the Blazin’ Challenge at Buffalo Wild Wings and retire happily to a tropical island.

Melanie Bruchet has 4 posts and counting. See all posts by Melanie Bruchet

10 thoughts on “Mama’s Kitchen: Big BBQ Flavor in a Small Town

  • June 6, 2015 at 6:04 pm
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    Best bbq by far… My favorite the ole Henry . Great people , great owners, amazing food…. I could eat here every day of the week, no lie. If you haven’t tried it, you dont know what you’re missing!

    Reply
  • June 9, 2015 at 5:46 am
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    Mama’s Has the best BBQ ,Their Sausage Dogs and RIBS are a couple of my family’s favorite.. We Eat Mama’s about every weekend , If you haven’t already tried it you don’t know what you missing…

    Reply
  • July 8, 2015 at 4:04 am
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    Mama’s Kitchen is a weekly favorite of mine and my husband. It is like a taste of heaven for our tastebuds. The are so many menu options and they continue to add to the menu. Stop by and grab a bite. …you will not be disappointed for sure!

    Reply
  • November 8, 2015 at 8:16 pm
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    I eat at mamas kitchen when ever I go thru the area ,about 5 to 6 times a year and always enjoyed the food and the owners company.

    Reply
  • May 21, 2017 at 6:33 pm
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    My favorite place to eat! Such a huge selection, and everything is sooo good! The hamburger steak is awesome, wonderful grilled hamburgers, and the Neanderthal pork chop is worth the drive from anywhere! I’m so glad they are local to me!

    Reply

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