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    Mama Jean's

    4.1 (158 reviews)
    InexpensiveSouthern
    Open 6:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Mama Jean's Photos

    Business Info

    MAMA JEAN'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Eggs, bacon, And home fries
    Jessie D.

    We accidentally ended up at Mama Jean's on Mother's Day this year. As one should on Mother's Day-we woke up late, hung around the house and moseyed out when we got good and ready. We ended up stumbling upon Mama Jean's as we were searching for a place for breakfast. We got in the door at about 10:30 and there was a wait. It was a Sunday, so they had a breakfast buffet but it switched to lunch at 10:45 sharp. We were seated by 10:40, but didn't have the time and didn't want to be rushed at the breakfast buffet. Instead our server let us know we could order breakfast from the menu or lunch. We opted for breakfast and it came out quick. It was delicious! A good home cooked breakfast. The eggs were perfect, bacon was yummy, and several servers checked on us throughout our time there. It was busy-but a clean place with a home-feel and we never felt rushed. We will be going back when we are back in the area!

    Lunch menu

    Michelle is awesome! Breakfast Buffet is pretty standard (not bad but not unique/amazing), prices are great, ordered from the menu. Waitstaff works great as a team!

    Receipt
    Dorothy H.

    Couldn't ask for much more regarding breakfast. We were headed to the Big M for their morning trip, but wanted to grab something quick. The food was plentiful, the service was fast and we left satisfied. The only star removal came because the country ham was really really salty and the breakfast doughnuts and cinnamon rolls were stale. It's fine that they aren't made fresh daily, but definitely check the expiration dates. Still a wonderful experience overall all and really convenient to catch the ship.

    2 eggs scrambled with cheese and grits. Tasted pretty much how it looks

    Very friendly service and nice, home town vibe. We went for breakfast at noon on a Saturday- busy but quick service. Food was very meh - good biscuit but everything else was bland and maybe the worst grits Ive had this year. On the plus side, there was a buffet that looked so much better than my breakfast plate and only $16.50 with lots of veggie options . If I come back will def opt for the buffet. Service 5/5 Vibe 5/5 Food 3/5

    My plate from the breakfast buffet.  Everything you could possibly want for breakfast included in a quaint, friendly environment.

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    9 days ago

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    1 month ago

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    17 days ago

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    1 year ago

    We stopped here on our way out of town. Cute restaurant with good dining options. I will be back!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    7 months ago

    Food is okay. Service depends on who you get. Ambiance is a bit loud. Definitely a cheaper & affordable than most.

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    3 years ago

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Charming little place. Lots of options at the buffet bar. Reasonable pricing. Employees are very friendly.

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    1 year ago

    Love the home style food, enjoyed the menu and the buffet, service is good I will return

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    11 months ago

    Was so good. Loved the breakfast buffet with so many choices. We will come here again

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    They have a great selection of food and very affordable prices tasty also there chicken is awesome e

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Yum!!! This is a great southern cooking location. Food is good and they serve you cafeteria style. Good stuff

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    COMFORT FOOD! excellent homestyle cooking! Love their biscuits and gravy. Awesome buffet, excellent friendly service.

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    3 years ago

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    Page 1 of 4

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    The Shack

    The Shack

    4.2(611 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    I've been driving by this spot for years and it's always been packed... not regular packed but…read morepeople parked in the street and the road trying to get in packed. This Thursday I was heading up with the wife to buy some fish and we decided to go for it. Of course there was zero parking with a parade of cars in the parking lot waiting to pick up food, when my wife noticed a pick up truck right in front of the place about to exit. She sped right next to the spot and jumped in before anyone realized it. We're in...or so I thought. We strolled up and there were about 35 people sitting on benches and rocking chairs under a tent right in front of the place all waiting to get in. I figured this is not going to be easy. I went up to the hostess station and asked how long for a table for two and she said 35 minutes or so. I looked at my wife and gave her my name. I had to find out what all the hub bub was about. In about 30 minutes they shouted my name and I sprinted to the front door...I wasn't about to lose my table. In we went and we're shown a nice size table in the middle of the place. It kinda reminded me of a beachy mom and pop diner. The friendly waitress came to the table right away, gave us our menus, showed us the specials board and took a drink order. The menu was simple but had some choices on it. While we were thinking, she came back with our drinks and we quickly ordered an appetizer. In this case, onion rings. A few minutes later my wife settled on a crab cake app and a salad which she asked to be combined. I went for the soup of the day(NE clam chowder) and one of the specials...pork chops(I took my grilled not fried) with 3 sides, Lima beans, okra & tomatoes stewed and green beans. The meal came with a choice of cornbread or roll. I opted for the cornbread. In a flash, the onion rings came out followed by the soup. Now I do love me some onion rings and these were fantastic. Crispy, flavorful and not stringy. The soup was home made. Creamy with bits of clam and chunks of potato. No salt or pepper was needed as it came out steaming hot and perfect. It was a meal in itself and I ended up taking 3/4 home with me(something rarely do). After a few minutes, the main course came out. My wife dug into a very large homemade crab cake, chock full of crab meat and very flavorful. She loved it. The salad was fresh and crisp. My pork chops came out and the size of the plate shocked me. Now, I almost never talk about price but my plate was $12.49 and I got two large perfectly prepared, juicy pork chops with a healthy helping of the best okra and stewed tomatoes I ever had plus absolutely delicious green beans and tasty lima beans. What a deal! The only thing that wasn't above average was the corn bread which was a tad dry and plain. Most of the regulars opted for the home made roll(and the fried chicken which was being served at every table!). I was stuffed and had trouble finishing my plate. My wife who said she was full, managed to save enough room for dessert. Now everyone was eating the homemade peach cobbler so I suggested that. My wife never had it before and was thinking about the Oreo pie, but I persuaded her and she was glad I did. Instead of the usual whip cream she wanted vanilla ice cream with it and it was a fantastic combo. The cobbler came out piping hot and crumbly with sweet chunks of peaches that paired well with the cold vanilla ice cream. She attacked it so fast that I couldn't get a picture. I broke my own rules and dipped in for a few spoonfuls and I'm glad I did. It was heavenly. The bill came and I couldn't believe how reasonable it was. Now I know why you can't get into the joint. We paid our bill and gave the super friendly waitress a nice tip and were on our way. We will absolutely be back and will try to time it a bit better so we can find parking...or we'll take an Uber...it was that good.

    Everyone was so sweet and friendly! (We went with some…read morelunch combos via to-go ordering and our food came in +/- 7 minutes) The "Chicken Bog" is incredibly tasty & filling. The fried chicken is what Chic-fil-A wishes it could be. The collards and mac & cheese are both top-shelf recipes ... to the point that my 6-yo - not usually keen on either - ate more of them than his french fries (which were also good). The peach cobbler and banana pudding weren't pretentious by any means, but they were definitely elevated compared to the average blue plate sweet course. We'll be back for some fried seafood soon!

    Photos
    The Shack - Oyster shell chandeliers

    Oyster shell chandeliers

    The Shack - Flounder scallops clams and fries

    Flounder scallops clams and fries

    The Shack - Fresh lemon water

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    Fresh lemon water

    Gravy Southern Eatery - Monday Lunch Special Turkey w/ 2 sides for $12 (Sweet Potato Casserole and Broccoli Salad shown)

    Gravy Southern Eatery

    4.1(140 reviews)
    6.5 mi
    $$

    I have been there and planning on returning soon. The liver and onions are excellent and sides are…read morecooked the Southere style with the southern taste, which are great. I have read some of the negative reviews and have not had a bad experience there. If you are expecting 5 star upscale restaurant food, pricing, and service then you need to go to the Ritz, not a small scale country style food restaurant. The food is great, the prices are great. and the wait staff could not have been nicer.

    I hadn't thought of reviewing this restaurant but my return was as unpleasant as my first visit…read more I'll get to the atmosphere later in this review. Our second visit started out questionable with the parking lot unwalkable cause of the resent bad weather. Rain puddles and moon craters aplenty. Going in seemed awkward having the diners look at you because we brought in a rush of cold air. Everyone there was eating with thier coats on. Alot of restaurants have a tent breeze way but not here. One of the waitress gave a beeper and told us we could either wait out side or in our cars. It was cold that day. That wasn't a great option. My meal was a questionable experience. Once handed our menus they appeared dirty and manhandled. My last visit the rolls that were giving out weren't' bake at all. This visit the same way. Gummy at first not fully baked and if not eating right away hard as a rock. Thats the second time it was severed like that. I ordered the chicken strips. 4 in all. Not great. When I woke up the next day I was wondering WHY the roof of my mouth was torn up. This tells me that the breading was old and heated up. Look not every place can be like Chick Fill A. I get it. . The atmosphere was kind of depressing. The lighting was all over the place. Bright light bulbs not matching. LED's with regular bulbs. The first time I was there I thought that the waitress wearing rip jeans was maybe a fluke but there she is again. The same jeans. The rag she used to wipe the tables matched her pants. Very off-putting to say the least. I would think this place is popular causet there is'nt much dinning in that area of Calabash. I'm never going back. A sure sign of a place that is questionable the sign out front is awash with green mold. A good power wash could help that.

    Photos
    Gravy Southern Eatery - Restaurant Interior

    Restaurant Interior

    Gravy Southern Eatery - Gravy Southern eatery restaurant Turkey and dressing with broccoli salad and sweet potato casserole.

    Gravy Southern eatery restaurant Turkey and dressing with broccoli salad and sweet potato casserole.

    Gravy Southern Eatery - Restaurant Interior

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    Restaurant Interior

    Old South Bar-B-Q-Co - 1/2 slab of ribs

    Old South Bar-B-Q-Co

    4.2(238 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $

    They are open again. Food was great. Menu is more diverse from what I remember from last year…read more Seating is tables and /or counter seating and picnic tables outside. Lunch time the parking is a bit crowded, but after 1 pm the crowd starts to dwindle. They have take out service, also. Definitely try this place if you like good bbq pulled port, and ribs.

    There's no polite way to say it: something fundamental has been lost at Old South BBQ…read more On a recent sunny afternoon, a friend and I--both barbecue enthusiasts--set out to try Old South after hearing it had reopened under new management. I had never been, but my friend spoke of it with near reverence, describing a once-legendary roadside joint steeped in South Carolina barbecue tradition. And that tradition matters. In South Carolina, barbecue isn't just food--it's history. Proper whole-hog or pulled pork is defined by slow cooking over hardwood coals--hickory or oak--for upwards of 8 to 12 hours. The state proudly claims all four major regional sauce styles, from the iconic mustard-based "Carolina Gold" to vinegar, light tomato, and heavy tomato sauces. It's a place where technique and patience are inseparable from authenticity. Old South still looks the part. The atmosphere is classic and charming: a casual, no-frills roadside spot with a nostalgic 1950s picnic scene, complete with indoor seating and outdoor tables. It's family-friendly, dog-friendly, and on the surface, exactly the kind of place you want to love. The menu hits all the expected notes--pulled pork, baby back ribs, chicken--and the house-made sauces are genuinely enjoyable. But then the food arrives. The wings, ribs, and pulled pork were all missing the one thing that defines barbecue: smoke. Not subtle smoke--none. It tasted as though everything had been cooked in a gas oven. Yes, the food was tender and even flavorful in places, but without that slow-smoked backbone, it feels hollow. If smoke isn't part of the process, can it really be called barbecue? Curious--and increasingly skeptical--we walked over to the smokehouse. It looked abandoned. No lingering wood aroma, no signs of recent use, not even a stray log in sight. When I asked our server about the pitmaster, she casually mentioned he usually comes in around 4 p.m.--a surprising detail, considering authentic barbecue is an all-day (and often all-night) process. At that point, the analogy felt unavoidable: if you put a Hyundai engine in a Porsche 911, is it still a Porsche? My friend and I left with the same conclusion--Old South BBQ may still carry the name and the look, but it's lost its soul. The bones of something great are still there, but without the craft and care that once defined it, it feels like a tribute rather than the real thing. To be fair, our server was friendly and attentive, and that effort didn't go unnoticed. But good service can't replace what's missing from the pit. For a place once remembered as a cornerstone of South Carolina barbecue, that's a tough rib to swallow.

    Photos
    Old South Bar-B-Q-Co - Inside tables

    Inside tables

    Old South Bar-B-Q-Co - Crispy Wing

    Crispy Wing

    Old South Bar-B-Q-Co - Pulled pork

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    Pulled pork

    Tidewater Grill - Lobster Roll

    Tidewater Grill

    4.4(690 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Don't judge a book by its cover. This restaurant is on the corner of a little neighborhood shopping…read morearea and the locals know it well. The food was excellent. All seafood, meats, & produce were of high quality and prepared to perfection. I recommend the Grouper Bites as an appetizer. The wait staff (Brandy) was very knowledgeable about the way the food was prepared and she was very accommodating by making certain that our requests were met. The ambience was nothing fancy but still comfortable . You should go dine there and I know you will be glad you did.

    Found using the Yelp app. Lot of good reviews. It's a relatively small place and clientele seems…read morelocals vs tourists. Server was great. Took our beverage orders, returned quickly with those and water. She told us the specials which we passed on. Fred ordered fried oysters platter, I ordered an à la carte crab cake and oysters Rockefeller. Our food arrived quickly. Fried oysters were plentiful and crispy. House made chips were crunchy and delicious. My crab cake was wonderful - as close to a Maryland crab cake as I've had in a long time. Lump crab, very little bread crumbs, pan fried and served with a dollop of hollandaise. It needed some Old Bay seasoning. The Rockefeller Oysters were delicious. Plump oysters topped with spinach and Hollandaise. They need a splash of Pernod and would be 5 star. We split a piece of house made peanut butter pie for dessert. It wasn't good. Way too sweet and very soupy. Tasted like a cool whip recipe. Our tab was reasonable and we left our server a generous tip. We recommended the restaurant to numerous people we knew back at the hotel. I'd definitely return!

    Photos
    Tidewater Grill
    Tidewater Grill - Teriyaki Glazed Mahi Mahi

    Teriyaki Glazed Mahi Mahi

    Tidewater Grill - Blood orange martini

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    Blood orange martini

    Mama Jean's - southern - Updated May 2026

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