By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
Just before Christmas, Cornelius and Kisha Mitchell opened up a new restaurant called Big Boy’s Grilling and Southern Cooking Restaurant, located at 17480 Sudbury Drive in Athens-West Limestone. And they want everyone to know about their smoke-free, family friendly environment, home cookin’ and perfectly smoked ribs, chicken, and more. They have extensive restaurant experience, but to them there is something special about this new location, and their customers agree.
Cornelius has been cooking since he was 12. He learned from his grandfather, who was the head cook for Big Bob Gibson for many years. Cornelius inherited the recipes (including the one for the tangy, white “secret sauce”), tweaked them a touch to make them his own, and their BBQ chicken is some of the best I have ever tasted. Kisha is getting ready to make some tasty cupcakes for their special Valentine’s Day dinner. Word is getting out, people are heading down Hwy 99 on their lunch hour to get great food at a reasonable price, and now have a welcoming place to enjoy it. As one client puts it, you can “feel love in the atmosphere.”
Cornelius and Kisha decided to go with a homey farm décor, and some of their raving fan customers have offered to pay hundreds of dollars for the antique farm implements that are on display at BBG. There is also a multi-purpose room in the back, and there are plans to have several genres of live music, including R & B, as well as country.
So, let’s talk about Valentine’s Day first. There is going to be a live band, and the music will be the kind that you won’t have a problem with your kids hearing or humming. The menu for Valentine’s Day is rib-eye steak for two, baked potato with all the fixin’s, salad, and dessert for $29.99. Call soon and let them know you are coming so that you can get everything just the way you want it. The celebration starts at 5 p.m., and if you need to bring your kids, the atmosphere will be appropriate for them, too. Kisha and the rest of the crew are putting the finishing touches on the red and white decorations, and it will be a great night.
One of the things that impresses me personally about Big Boy’s is their dedication to and appreciation for our veterans. In the middle of the south wall of the restaurant is a large silhouette of a soldier in front of an American flag. However, BBG does more than just use what’s on the wall for decoration; once a month they actually have their own version of Veterans’ Day, where all currently active or former military members can have any dinner on the menu for $5.99. That includes steaks, even rib-eye, frog legs, or any of their other delicious menu items. And, this special deal is not just for veterans, the invitation is extended to all first responders. “Veterans’ Day” is going to be the 3rd Saturday of every month. “We are the only place in the area that does this,” said Cornelius.
Big Boy’s Grilling and Southern Cooking has dine-in, carry out, and drive-thru. They are also aware that at lunch folks are on a tight schedule, and if you call ahead, they will have your lunch ready and waiting for you to pick up. Their hamburger patties are made by hand, and the burgers are cooked to order. Other menu items include pulled pork sandwiches, fish sandwiches, and an all you can eat salad bar. There are also daily specials.
The meat-and-two menu includes pulled pork, dark or white meat chicken, ribs, pork chops, frog legs catfish, or two meats and a side. The sides are mac & cheese, cabbage, baked beans, fries, green beans fried okra, or potato salad. Kisha specializes in the desserts, and she makes sure there is a selection of cakes and makes a mean banana pudding, as well as peach pie, apple pie, and brownies.
If you are looking for a place where you are treated like family, and can head home with a full heart in addition to a full tummy, then Cornelius and Kisha hope you will come and give Big Boy’s Grilling and Southern Cooking Restaurant a try. You can’t go wrong!
Big Boy’s Grilling and Southern Cooking Restaurant
17480 Sudbury Drive, Athens, AL 35614
Hours: Mon-Tue, 11-8, Wed, 11-5, Thur, Fri, and Sat 11-8 CLOSED Sun
Phone: 256 348-8107
Facebook: Big Boy’s Grilling and Southern Cooking Restaurant
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
