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    Big Mama’s Cafe

    4.2 (99 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 2:00 pm

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    BIG MAMA’S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Big Mama’s Cafe

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    1/2 Lb Bacon Cheeseburger with French Fries

    We don't go often, but when we do, the service is always fast, friendly and efficient. Food is always great too.

    House fries
    Logan W.

    Big mamas is an excellent choice for breakfast. From the outside, it doesn't look like much, but it opens into this expansive modern restaurant. Everything looks new and clean and the atmosphere is great. The service was perfect and everyone working there was very polite. I ordered two pancakes, two eggs, hash browns, and bacon (which I think was turkey bacon) and everything came out perfect. The bacon was crispy just how I like it. The pancakes were fluffy but not too fluffy. While the breakfast potatoes appeared very plain, they were actually well prepared and flavorful. It was a ton of food and I filled up quickly, but it was super affordable! Would go again.

    Big Mama's Cafe sign along I-70 SE Road in Columbia, MO.
    Wendy F.

    This is the most unassuming place you can imagine, and the BEST surprise. If you're ever traveling on I-70 near Columbia, MO, and have a hankering for the best country fried pork tenderloin (ever!) this is the place! Not only will you leave with a happy belly, you'll still have some change in your pocket--1990's prices--and feel like you just ate at your favorite Auntie's house. The service is fast, friendly and fabulous. It's a breakfast time favorite for our family.

    tenderloin with hot potatoes, eggs, biscuit
    Will R.

    Decided to go here based on the reviews. My daughter and I went here around 1PM on a Saturday. Not very crowded. We were seated right away. Waitstaff was nice. They do seem to know the patrons and talk it up. I'm sure that increases repeat business. The food portions are gigantic. I think if you come here and want to have leftovers, you can get another meal out of this place. Being from out of town, I felt guilty wasting so much food. I couldn't eat half of it! Tenderloin is juicy and flavorful. Biscuit was amazing. Hot potatoes were good too. My daughter enjoyed her pancakes. Like someone else mentioned, they don't have toppings really. Oh well. I see why this place is well liked.

    Meat and Veggie Skillet
    Jackson D.

    Good experience! Service was mediocre but people were kind and welcoming. Food was pretty solid, just nothing standout in my opinion. I got the meat and Veggie Skillet and was happy with my decision. I know I sound crazy for this and it may just be a me problem but my biggest problem was with the amount of butter - I felt like there was just too much butter where at some points it overpowered the meat and other things.The calorie per dollar was pretty good! The ambiance was nice I thought, it was a pretty relaxing atmosphere.

    Meat and Veggie Skillet
    Wanda H.

    Was heading from Independence back home, and stopped in here for a late breakfast. Better food than most diner type establishments right off an interstate. The service was good, even though the place was HOPPIN'. I think the locals appreciate this place too. It was pretty basic ambiance-wise, nothin' to write home about. But the food was good and they serve breakfast until they close. That's a winner in my opinion. Good size helping for the money!

    Fresh, home baked cinnamon roll almost as big as a babies head!
    Frieda B.

    Big Mama should be very proud! Seeing the parking lot full was the first sign we had struck gold. When you first walk in you are greeted and made to feel welcome. The interior is charming and clean-the bathrooms are clean-a HUGE plus in my book and that's just the first impression. The second is the outstanding service. Our server, Cathy, was delightful and a real pro. I was a server for years in my youth and I know how hard the job can be. I would return just for her and once we got our orders, we want to be adopted by Big Mama! Delicious food in generous portions at wonderful prices. My husband had the two eggs scrambled, bacon, hash browns and he had asked for sourdough toast without butter. His plate came out piled high-he couldn't finish all of his pig candy (so I helped him ) or his hash browns. The toast came out buttered and Cathy made sure he got the right toast and gave us one of the home baked cinnamon rolls as an apology. Wow! Mama raised her children right While in town, it's our go-to place.

    Pork tenderloin with sausage gravy, hash browns, scrambled eggs and toast
    Kevin M.

    We stopped in for breakfast and definitely was not disappointed. Portions were large and food was great. I had pork tenderloin breakfast, wife and daughter had a traditional eggs and bacon breakfast and we all really liked it. Service was top notch.

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    3 months ago

    The Breakfast Burrito was drenched in butter. I do not reccomend, it was disgusting. The country omelet was also greasy and rubbery.

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    1 year ago

    Great spot and super friendly staff! Highly recommend for breakfast. Even though they're busy seating was quick and service was attentive

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    2 years ago

    Great selection of breakfast fare. Quick, efficient service. Friendly staff. Food tasted great!

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    Ask the Community - Big Mama’s Cafe

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    Ernie's Cafe & Steak House

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    We loved the food at this old school diner. Our waitress, Mel, was a gem and gave us lots of great…read morerecommendations.

    Ernie's Cafe & Steak House, is a true classic diner. I was in town for a wedding and they gave a…read morelist of restaurant recommendations. Ernie's was not on the list, but once in town both the bride and groom verbally recommended it for breakfast. The wedding was Saturday, so before I left town on Sunday, I filled my tummy with a classic breakfast. It's a popular diner, so there was a line out the door. I will say, the manager/hostess kept it moving. A Karen, cut past several of waiting a went inside and went to take an open stool. She was quickly sent back outside and to the end of the line. The hostess, then came out and told another single diner and myself to come and take which stool we wanted at the counter. Ernie offers 12 different combos for breakfast, I picked one that I thought I wanted. When I ordered and said to hold the buttered toast and give me an half order of Biscuits and Gravy. My waitress was so sweet, she said, nope. She said she was going to save me money by ordering me the #11 and replacing the French Toast with the B&G. That's excellent customer service. My Combo #11 was delicious. Had my eggs scrambled and they were super fluffy and simply seasoned. The three slices of bacon were crispy and the Hash Browns had crispy edges. However, the true star of my breakfast was the Biscuit and Gravy. The biscuit wasn't as fluffy as I'd like, but the gravy was top notch. I love pepper and it was extremely peppery which made me happy. If anyone is going to Columbia, I'd tell them to stop by Ernie's for breakfast. When I come back to COMO, I'm going to stop by for lunch and enjoy a burger. Dick Tracy, thinks about them all the time.

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    Barred Owl Butcher & Table

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    Big Mama’s Cafe - cafes - Updated May 2026

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