Big Mama's Rib Shack

Big Mama's rib shack...I must say...going into this, the name had me SOLD! visions of cornbread, fried okra, greens and slow cooked pork clouded my mind on the drive into Pasadena. The location is unassuming from the outside and, quite surprisingly, adorned in a modern color palate complete with sharp furniture, dark woods and crisp lines. It looked much more like a Pasadena lounge than a Southern rib joint inside...Not bad at all, just unexpected. We were with a large party, so I had the fortune of trying a little of this and a little of that...My plate was blessed with everything from jambalaya to catfish and cornbread to ox tails. I opted for the pork ribs with fried okra and red beans and rice. I finished that with a fried chicken thigh...Big Mama is quoted saying ""baby, if the colonel made fried chicken like me, he'd a been a general"" Cute. But not sure that was on the spot...Coulda been closer to ""Honey, had the Colonel made fried chicken like me, he'd a been medically dishcharged for his blood-pressure"" SALT CITY! The ribs were succulent...meaty, moist and falling off the bone. The sauce was a little sweet for my liking...but definitely did the job. The fried okra receives a passing grade...had I closed my eyes and been served it, I may have mistaken it for Carl's Jr's fried zucchini...Not a big winner, much like the chicken dinner. The red beans and rice were nice! Smoky and rich with just the right amount of chili powder and paprika to spice up the night. The service was moderate at best...I would have imagined the waitress would have paid more attention to the biggest table in her room...Finally, Big Mama was OUT OF DESSERT when dinner was over. Dessert was gone? wow. Interesting. So I had a bite of everything and can rate on a 1-5, 5 being best 5-sorry Big Mama...hey the Coronas were COLD! 4-red beans and rice, cajun fries 3-ribs, fried catfish, fried chicken, bbq chicken 2-fried okra, blackened catfish, jambalaya, gumbo 1-mac n cheese, greens ENJOY! Pros: tennnnnder ribs of love, decent soul food Cons: More salt than that lake in Utah more

"Honey, if the Colonel could have fried chicken like Big Mama, he would have been a General." I had juicy... more

"Honey, if the Colonel could have fried chicken like Big Mama, he would have been a General." I had juicy dark meat fried chicken and so far, I ... more

mmmmm great soul food!!! I got the cajun combo which came with TONS of food!!! Although I don't think they are as known for cajun it was still pretty good, great hush puppies and fried ocra. Although I think next time I will come for some BBQ or Fried chicken, yum! Good service, selection and reasonable prices. Pros: Grea Authentic Sould Food Cons: wierd decor more

THIS PLACE IS SIMPLY THE BEST .. NOTHING ELSE SAID .. PRICES , FOOD , PARKING , RESPECT, LOVE IT ... I TRAVEL INTO TOWN BORN AND RAISED IN AZUSA BUT FOR THE LAST THREE YRS IN LAKE HAVASU, AZ.. AND LORD KNOW I CANT FIND ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN HAVASU .. JUST TRY IT U WONT BE MAD Pros: GREAT FOOD FOR YOUR DOLLAR Cons: I DONT HAVE ANY more

Although we've lived in the Pasadena area for years, we only recently found Big Mama's. In the last week, we've been there twice. I'm not a big BBQ fan...so the appeal of this restaurant for me is based on the classic southern/soul food options...items like oxtail, fried okra, red beans & rice (all of which were right on and definitely satisfied the need for southern food). Last night I tried the fried snapper and it was in a crisp cornmeal batter (like my now favorite fried okra) with a hint of peppery spice. My husband has tried the smothered pork chops and the smothered chicken...both of which he enjoyed...although prefers the pork chops. Pros: friendly staff, easy parking, great food Cons: if crowded, service can be delayed more

Like the previous review - the BBQ was OK. Nothing wrong with it whatsoever. It was OK. The catfish was better than ok - ditto the sausage. With that said, the cobbler was a show-stopper! The best I've ever eaten, period. (If it helps, I'm well over 50 and have eaten a lot of cobbler over the years!) more

Big Mama's Rib Shack serves up some pretty good BBQ. I tried a pretty much a little bit of everything off of the menu. The fried chicken is great. The chicken is moist and the skin is crisp and flavorful. You can taste the spices they use. My favorite is the BBQ stuff. We got the BBQ combination and it was yummy! Ribs, chicken, and the sausage tasted nicely cooked and the BBQ sauce was delicious. Not too sweet with a little spicy kick. I also tried the gumbo and jambalaya which was OK. Not something I would order again though. The sides that come with the dinners are really good too. I recommend trying the fried okra. Make sure you come ready to eat well, because Big Mama feeds you well. There is a lot of food and you go home stuffed. Despite what other reviewers said, I thought the service was very cordial. We went when it wasn't busy at all so maybe that is why they were able to have the time to be a bit warmer to us. Go try it out! Pros: BBQ and fried chicken Cons: none really... more

Don't even get me started on Big Mama's. Just thinking about it makes me want to have their candied yams, fried chicken, and corn bread. The service is mixed and the ambience is okay. I would recommend it! Pros: Food, Parking, Price Cons: service varies more

this place has the yummiest bbq pork ribs i've had in a long time the meat is cooked just right and the sauce is a little spicy, which is nice, other places that we've been to their sauces are more sweet, this sauce is good their bbq chicken was pretty good but not the best i've had, their links are also okay but i've also had better, try their cajun fries they are really yummy and a bit spicy, their cajun battered slices of potatoe wedges fried , really good. my husband has had their smothered pork chops and regular fried pork chops, the catfish and oyster sandwhiches, all of it very tasty according to him. we usually order take out and the service has always been friendly and attentive, we'll defenitly keep coming here for some very tasty, spicy, and smokey bbq ribs. Pros: bbq pork ribs & sauce, service, parking Cons: price more

This place has some pretty good soul food. The greens are fresh, the fried chicken & fish is good. The BBQ is not very good. Nothing exciting & rather disappointing. Ribs & hot links were weak, the sauce was like it was out of a jar. Will go for the soul food, not the ribs. Should change the name to Big Mamas Soul Food Shack. Pros: soul food Cons: , hot links, sauce more

Food was ordered and picked up, it tasted alright, nothing special. My Jambalaya was just a palm full in size (such a turn off). I didn't like the small portions. Not worthy of ""Word of mouth"" to friends. more

I went to Big Mama's recently, and I was disappointed! When the waitress sat us down, she told us that the kitchen was going to close in a little bit, so we had to order soon. What the heck? I've never been told that, no matter how late I went to a resaurant. We didn't even get there late, we got there 1 1/2 hours before closing time, and people were still coming in 1/2 hour before closing. Anyway, I ordered the fried chicken. When I got it, it was undercooked. I it with a fork, and blood squirted out! I had lost my appetite by now, but I told the waitress about it, and she took it back for another order. I was already frustrated with the rushed behavior of the waitress. She didn't even offer anything for the inconvenience. Pros: Nice Decore, Good Menu Selection Cons: , Rude Waitress more

Recently, my wife and I had dinner at Big Mama's. The atmosphere is warm and inviting- the decor and wait staff are top notch. The food was excellent, I had the BBQ Combo and my wife had the fried chicken (YUMMY) We have been their every weekend since. The BBQ sauce has a very unique taste. They should bottle it and sell it over the counter. We are hooked!!!!!!!!!!!!!! more

Been to quite a few rib joints and these ribs are really good. Not only are the ribs good, but the sides (I had the yams and greens) are really good also....Not everyone knows how to cook yams....Will definitely be going back and will also be using their catering services..... Pros: inexpensive, good food more

The BBQ chicken sauce was delicious and the meat simply fell off the bone. My husband like his ribs. There are many sides to choose from as well. I can't wait to try their gumbo and catfish. We had sweet potato pie for dessert and it was good. Pros: inexpensive, parking lot, good for kids more

The jambalaya had a nice spice to it, not too toned down like most restaurants. The ribs were tender and juicy with a little kick. The decor is interesting but a little sparse; the service was fast but could have been a little warmer. I'm planning to go back to try some other dishes. It's too bad this restaurant isn't in Old Town or South Lake or it would get a lot more business. I'm glad it's here though! Pros: Tasty, Inexpensive more

After reading the outstanding review in the LALA Times we headed straight down to get some BBQ. The service was fantastic. The food very good. The ambiance eclectic but comfortable and inviting. The prices reasonable. If you want wannabe hoity toity BBQ, head somwhere else...BUT, If you want a good plate of BBQ in a neighborhood restaurant, head on down to Big Mamas! Pros: great service, good food, Reasonable prices Cons: Parking not great more