Mama Reta's is a real family place. Mama makes everyone feel welcome with her warm personality and great comfort food.

Great Southern Cooking! Our waitress was very attentive and kind. My Mom had the fried chicken Sunday special and the chicken was moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. She had a side of mustard greens cooked with onions that were tasty. I had the catfish poboy and the catfish was seasoned really well, crunchy outside and piping hot inside. Mama Reta's sauce made the poboy extra special. My sister had the vegetable plate with salad, cabbage, green beans and okra- none of the veggie plates were particularly delicious and all were overcooked, but that's what you get for ordering a veggie plate at a place like Momma Rita's if you ask me. Best corn bread I've ever had. My Dad had the shrimp poboy and thought it had too much sauce. Both of us had a cup of gumbo, it was flavorful but a bit too watery for my liking. My poboy took the cake. A highlight was when Momma Reta, herself, came to greet us! Good Southern cooking and hospitality! read more

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Just had the meatball stew with rice and gravy, cornbread and fried okra. OMG it's so good I'm getting a second helping to go! The staff is friendly and the food came out lightning fast. read more

ALL GOOD!!!! Can't think of anything bad to say. Hubby had chicken. He was very pleased. I had ribs. They were delicious!!

The best gumbo I've had away from home thus far! When I'm working in the LC area this is the first place I visit every Sunday. Mama Reta along with her staff are very hospitable. Never had anything else that's on the menu(gumbo fanatic here) but I'm sure you'll love whatever you order! Looking forward to be in the area again and grab some good ole chicken and sausage gumbo here. read more

Mama Reta's Kitchen - C&S gumbooooo! One of two places I'll frequently go for their delicious roux. - Soul Food Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

We got the catfish Po'Boy and the shrimp one. It was AMAZING to say the least. This is a must if you're in Louisiana. The gumbo was amazing. The waiters and cashier didn't seem to want to be there but Mama Reta was great and welcomed us. Overall we had a great time eating here. read more

Mama Reta's Kitchen - Catfish and shrimp Po'boy - Soul Food Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

Bomb.com so so good! Staff was super friendly. This is definitely a must stop when passing through Lake Charles

My husband and I ate here for lunch. We drove an hour just to eat here. This was our second time eating here and we haven't been disappointed yet. Our waitress was very nice and friendly as she took our order and answered any questions had. I ordered the baked catfish with smothered okra and rice. My husband ordered the fried fish with greens, and macaroni and cheese. Our meal came with free desert which was a piece of cake. Everything we ate was really good and seasoned to perfection. My only complaint is the serving sizes could be larger. It was just enough for me but my husband is a big guy, and it wasn't enough for him. The owner came over and greeted us and I was amazed because she remembered us from our last trip there which was over a year ago. This is a great spot for lunch. We will return when we get a chance. Pros: Good food along with excellent customer service Cons: The servings sizes are kind of small. They are only open until 3pm read more

I LOVE finding places like this when I travel. I had the veggie plate. The back eyed peas were perfect, fried okra was hot and crispy, and corn bread was the best. Check this home cooking spot out if you are in Lake Charles. read more

I checked out Yelp before going to Lake Charles and this place seemed to meet my needs. I had the Thursday special of fried chicken, gravy and rice, corn bread, cake and veggie choice. I had mustard greens because I've never eaten them and figured at this place they would be good. Excellent. The whole meal was 5 star plus. It's my newgo-to place in Lake Charles. read more

Mama Reta's Kitchen - Fried Chicken. - Soul Food Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

O.M.G!!!! One of the best soul food joints I've ever been too. It's easy to boil greens, fry stuff and make mash, but dannnngggg the chef here, she puts her heart and soul into the food, nothing easy about this food, hard early morning work!! Everything smacked with flavor, the okra had a slight kick, my smothered steak was smokey and scrumptiously decadent with boiled white rice soaking up the gravy. Her cornbread, moist and spot on, the greens silky with a hint of spice. I took out 5 sweet potato cookies which we are in the car and about died from yummyness... Lol is that even a word? I took home two peach cobblers which I'm toting all the way back to San Diego for my wife. Good bless you for this great food, I'm coming back with more folks next time! read more

I will leave this very simple. IF YOU MISS THIS WHILE YOU ARE IN LAKE CHARLES, THEN YOU HAVE LOST OUT! Incredible. Just amazing. Even Mama Reta walked over to our table and said hello. I had the gumbo and shrimp popboy. Both were INCREDIBLE. Even the sweet tea is good. All the way down to the cake at the end. My new place for any time of the day in Lake Charles. Five stars. read more

I'm almost crying as we head away from Mama Reta's, because it was that good and we live over a thousand miles away. The food was the freshest, most delicious homestyle cooking that I've had since my dear grandmothers passed on. The restaurant was comfortable, nicely decorated and immaculately clean, including the restrooms. The staff could not have been more gracious and friendly. Reta herself checked on us several times. I had the smothered chicken and rice special with macaroni and cheese on the side. If no one had been looking, I would have literally licked the plate clean. The cornbread was moist and flavorful ... after that, I'll never waste my calories on the dry crap at Cracker Barrel again. The cake of the day was carrot - usually not my favorite, but here I ate every crumb. We just spent a week visiting family in my hometown of New Orleans, and we had some pretty mind-blowing meals there, but I have a feeling that Mama Reta's will be the one that we remember most from this trip. read more

This is a gem of a restaurant! Friendly staff, great food, and an all around great experience. Mama Reta even came out to our table to say hello. We'll definitely be back! read more

Mama Reta's Kitchen - Gumbo and the Wednesday special, meatball over rice with a delicious brown gravy. - Soul Food Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

All of the reviews are accurate. Mama Reta's food is delicious! It is classic, wonderful soul food made with love. Mama Reta came by the table a couple of times to chat and check on us. She is a very nice, cheerful and classy lady who obviously loves what she is doing. The wait service was also excellent. We stopped here on a road trip from Texas back to New Orleans. It is a short 3 minute drive off of I-10. It is very easy to get to and there is plenty of parking close by. You will not be disappointed. We will definitely stop here again on our next trip through Lake Charles. read more

Mama Reta's Kitchen - Soul Food Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

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This place is GREAT! All the reviews are dead-on correct. We had a wonderful Sunday lunch here last weekend. Everything was delicious, the restaurant is clean and cozy and the staff are kind and efficient. read more

We found this place on yelp as we were passing through on our way to Lafayette. The food here was absolutely amazing and special today was the fried chicken with red beans and rice your choice of vegetable and a piece a cake for dessert all for 8.95$. Thank you Yelpfor pointing us in the right direction because we loved our lunch there and highly recommend this spot to anyone who is in town.We met Mama Reta and she's very gracious owner. Thank you for the wonderful meal today Mama Reta!!! read more

Best home cooking I have found. Daily specials are great. Thursday's smothered chicken is the best. read more

Mama Reta's Kitchen - Soul Food Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

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I don't how to say it but slap ya mama so good good soul food!! The kind of food you crave & makes you feel good from the inside out!! Mama Reta has the best yams I've ever had, her plate lunches are great portions & oh so good! There is also some great fried chicken on the menu that's lip smacking good! You won't regret visiting this gem! read more

I went to eat there and I had a wonderful time, delicious food great service and the place looked clean. read more

Mama Reta's Kitchen - I loved the food I went there for the first time and I was delicious. - Soul Food Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

De-Lish!! Looking for a place to eat after church Sunday and just happened to pass by this restaurant and was pleasantly surprised!!! The staff was really friendly and the owner came out and greeted everyone and asked if everything was good. I had the cornbread dressing and baked chicken with mustard greens....tasted like I was sitting at my grandmothers house eating!!!! The building was clean and decorated nicely. I will definitely return and would encourage everyone to try this eatery! read more

Mama Reta's Kitchen - Cornbread Dressing, Baked Chicken - Soul Food Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

Most amazing southern soul food! Lots of childhood memories came flooding back with each bite I took. My husband was in complete heaven, I have never seen him enjoy his food like he did today. The staff is very friendly and attentive and it was a bonus to meet and talk to Mama Reta. We will definitely be back the next time we are in Louisiana. Highly Recommend! read more

I'm in town visiting from Houston I come to Lake Charles a lot. This is the first visit to Mama Reta's and I was blown away! The food is AMAZING!!!! I usually don't leave reviews on yelp, but this place was SO GOOD I had to leave a 5 star review. My hats off to Mama Reta she knows how to do soul food. THE BEST SOUL FOOD I HAVE EVER EATEN!!!! read more

Mama Reta doing right. Great lunch. That gravy is on point y'all. The chicken and rice and corn bread and mac n cheese! Mama Reta even stopped by our table to check on us personally. read more

Mama Reta's Kitchen - About to get into my last few bites! - Soul Food Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

Ohh-Emm-Gee!!! First visit and I'm blown away... Pork Steak Tuesday was full of flavor... And I have no other words to describe my experience but AWESOME. read more

Mama Reta's Kitchen - Pork steak Tuesday!!! Pic was taken after I engulfed a few pieces of the steak. What a flavorful place to dine. - Soul Food Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

The restaurant made me feel like I was at my grandma's house. Mama Reta herself came and welcomed us into the restaurant, and the food exceeded all the expectations. Amazing, I highly recommend!!! read more

Coming from Australia driving from New Orleans to Austin we stopped by lake Charles and saw Mama Reta's was the only place open on Sunday. Glad it was because it was the best fried chicken me and my mates have ever eaten. Mama Reta is very welcoming and friendly it was a pleasure to eat there. Anyone that stops by lake Charles I highly recommend checking this place out !!! If you could give it more stars I would. read more

Mama Reta's Kitchen - Soul Food Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

Amazing!! Warm welcomes, THE BEST FRIEND CHICKEN, wonderful service, and great prices. The fried chicken is so crispy yet juicy. I've never had better. read more

One word...YUM! We happened upon this place based on the reviews, and it didn't disappoint. Great atmosphere, great service and GREAT FOOD.

Wonderful service and the food was great! Who can argue with free cake with every meal? Felt like home but I didn't have to cook!

This place is delicious! The best fried chicken ever!! Will definitely be coming every time I come to lake charles. Makes me want to come back for dinner. read more

Found this place via Yelp, decided to try it based on the great reviews. Small, cozy place in cute old Downtown like area. It was Sunday morning, so it was very busy, however we were seated within a few minutes of arriving. Our server was very kind and patient; my husband likes to ask a lot of questions and for recommendations and she was very kind and helpful. Between my husband and I we got the fried chicken wing basket with cabbage, red beans and rice pudding with corn bread, and the shrimp poboy with fried okra; everything was great. All the food was seasoned well, not over salted (which is common error with fried food), fresh and hot. The food is priced well and you do get free cake with your meal(s). I would highly recommend to anybody in the area. read more

My first time here and had the special of the day, Meatball Stew, and it was great. Definitely coming back.

Great place to grab a quick bite. Although they don' t have a huge menu, what they do make they make it right! Plate lunch specials. I love the smothered pork chops. read more

We were in lake Charles on vacation and I found mama reta's here on yelp. We went on a Sunday afternoon. The place was full, and we waited just a bit for a table. As soon as we walked in, I could smell the food and knew we were in for a treat! Everything we ordered was so good, but the cornbread dressing and the shrimp po boy were my favorites. I even ordered two sides of cornbread dressing to bring home! You really can't go wrong with your order though. It's a family owned restaurant and the staff is phenomenal. They're genuinely glad to have customers and treat them well. It was a nice atmosphere. The attitude of the staff goes far in the way dining is experienced and it makes a difference here. It's a small space, but feels cozy and friendly. Even my teenagers commented on the ambiance. We had a wonderful expat mama reta's and will be back every time we are in the area. read more

Absolutely delicious food! Would move here just to eat at MAMA Reta's. Loved the pork steak and rice, but the cornbread and black eyed peas were the best! Coming back on Thursday before we head out of Lake Charles for the fried chicken and more black eye's and cornbread read more

We always try to find family owned restaurants while traveling versus fast food. Mama Reta's was so good. We had fried chicken, cornbread dressing and green beans. Absolutely delicious! Home style cooking in a small, friendly cafe in old downtown Lake Charles. You will not be disappointed! Thanks Mama Retas! read more

This place is great. It's a small "hole-in-the-wall" turning out amazing food. I had the Monday special of Fried chicken with red beans and rice and fried okra. Chicken was juicy and flavorful. I personally don't like red beans and rice but they tasted well. The okra was just shy of crunchy, making it perfect for me. They included a cut of cake at no charge and that was good too. As long as I'm staying here in Lake Charles I will find a way to eat there. Great southern soul food. read more

Mama Reta's food is absolutely delicious! We came here based on others' feedback and ratings and they didn't lie. I had meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cornbread. It truly is soul food! Soooooo good. We also had vanilla cake with lemon frosting for dessert. Nothing is fancy in this place, but it doesn't need to be. The food speaks for itself and the staff is friendly! We got to meet Mama Reta as well, which was charming. She came around to each table and talked with guests. read more

Delicious soul food! Truly a gem!! If you are in the area I highly recommend trying this place. We all got something different at the table and everyone loved it. The gumbo was delicious, personally I had a shrimp poboy and it was so good with that mama Rita sauce. And then mama Rita herself walked out of the kitchen and made sure we were enjoying our food and that we everything we needed. We will be back here definitely!!! read more