My husband and I love eating at non-chain restaurants. This place was Amazing!!! You might have to wait to get in but it is worth it. Shrimp po-boy was delicious. Fried chicken was so good we got some to go. Next time we are in Lake Charles we will definitely stop. Great staff!!! read more

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

"MAAAMMAA! You kno I love you " Soul food kingdom . Their chicken is seasoned oso perfect , as juicy as could be. Each bite enriched with the same satisfying flavor . . I will be back! Good prices and homey atmosphere. If you haven't been yet , Get up ! Go ! read more

This place definitely lives up to its' 5 star rating. The food is amazing. Home cooking at its' finest. My belly is full and happy. The staff is very friendly. Mama Reta was present, and such a wonderful woman to say the least. read more

Today I visited this restaurant while a quick stay in lake Charles Louisiana and I must say I'm very glad I got the chance to have lunch here today. We came across this establishment in the downtown area of Lake Charles. We had the chicken and sausage gumbo which was very delicious. We also had the daily special which was fried chicken with red beans and rice and I added a side of okra it was all very delicious and tasted home made. The best part I would say is the free cake that was given to us after our meal. I thought this was it sweet gesture and the fact the owner and chef came to greet us! I highly recommend if you're in the area! read more

Mama Reta's Kitchen - Monday special Fried chicken with red beans and rice with corn bread and fried okra! Delicious! - Soul Food Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

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Not only does this place amazing food but the staff was incredibly hospitable, friendly and accommodating. We even met Mama Reta! I would hands down return. It's no wonder that it has a five star rating. read more

Wow was not expecting this! The food was really good. I wish I could have ordered some of their other dishes. not all dishes listed on the menu are offered on a daily basis. Mama Reta was extremely friendly and hospitable. She made my family and I feel welcomed and the staff was friendly as well. Would highly recommend! We ordered the fried chicken platter and smothered chicken platter. Corn bread was good! read more

We were visiting lake Charles for few days and read about this place. Now during COVID-19 it's open until 2pm during weekdays. We ordered the catfish platter and gumbo. Both were tasty and came with a dessert. read more

Loved the BBQ ribs and fried chicken specials. Best cornbread dressing ever! Hope we get to visit again one day! read more

Mama Reta's Kitchen - Loved the BBQ ribs and fried chicken. Best cornbread dressing ever! - Soul Food Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

Food was delicious.. even mama reta came out and talked to us.. she was a delight and her food was amazing.. we were kind of upset they didnt have breakfast, but it didnt matter when we tried the food..so good. read more

After taking tour of Lake Charles downtown stopped at Mama Reta's for lunch. Could not have made a better choice. I had Shrimp Po Boy with homemade Reta sauce and fries My wife had a cheeseburger with Mac and cheese. Best Mac she has every had. Met Mama Reta herself and hospitality was the greatest. I would recommend this kitchen to all read more

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The Fried chicken and cornbread stuffing is awesome will definitely be back we met mama Reta herself I asked her what's in your stuffing she said alota love I was hoping for a bit more detail lol but that just means I'll have to come back more often read more

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

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All the food was delicious except for the gumbo. It was more of a soup. Service was good and the sweet tea was sweet. I'm definitely going back next I go to lousiana read more

Stopped in on a Sunday afternoon and it was delicious! There was a little bit of a wait because it was lunch time but it was so worth the wait. They got us seated quickly, the food came out quickly, and our waitress took great care of us. Service was outstanding and the food was true homemade comfort food. Best fried chicken I have ever had and every meal comes with a moist slice of cake. I highly recommend!!! read more

OMG.. can't even say enough about this place. My husband and I decided to stop in for lunch. Menu might get be limited but what they have is all perfect. It's worth trying, Mama Rita is always there. read more

We loved everything about this place!!! Great service, great food it is the total package. read more

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

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We were driving through Lake Charles and found Mama Reta's on Yelp. Not far off I-10. We ordered shrimp poboys to go since we had a pet in the car. The place was spotless, and they did a great job with masking and socially distancing tables. Mama Reta herself had me sit a spell and chat with her while I waited for our food. True charming, genuine Southern hospitality! And the poboys? Amazing. I would detour off here anytime to get them again. Plus the added langiappe of dessert for free was a nice touch. read more

This place is very delicious and service was excellent. I would definitely stand in line to eat here. Yum!! read more

Great food and great service. It has that warm hospitality when first greeted. The gumbo was good and my family loved their meal as well. The sweet potato cookies were delicious! A nice way to end the meal. But I had to go back and buy some more for the road trip. read more

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A good hidden gem in Lake Charles. The food is great and great price for the quality and quantity you receive. The people, including the owner are friendly and inviting. Can't wait to return. read more

What a fabulous experience. Every 5 star review was right on. Great food and excellent service. You owe it to yourself to try Mama Reta's Kitchen. She was off that day and we were greeted by Vernel. She couldn't have been nicer. I love Yelp. You would never find places like this when you're driving through a new place without it. read more

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

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Definitely a restaurant full of character! I've only ever had the fried fish Friday meal but it's very enjoyable! Only negative is that the portions are a little lighter than I was used to for a southern cooking restaurant, however the taste is always on point! read more

Mama Reta was as sweet as pie... along with all her staff! But awe... the food Fried chicken was better then my moms... don't tell my mom I said that! So good! read more

Wow Mama Reta's kitchen blew my family and I away! All of the staff were so friendly, they made us feel very welcome. Mama Reta herself came out to talk to us a couple of times. It was my sister's birthday and Mama Reta sent some to-go sweet potato cookies out for the birthday girl with a note and everything! Such a kind woman. She really made our day and our entire trip memorable. She saw us walking around town after we left the restaurant, honked at us and gave us a big wave and smile. Nice that she remembered us. Now about the food...AMAZING! My sister is the pickiest eater I know and she loved the fried chicken and mac & cheese. I've literally never seen her so excited about food. My mom can't eat gluten and she was still able to enjoy the food, the only thing she had to miss out on was the cake (which was delicious and free with each meal.) If you're looking for flavorful food and/or a general pick-me-up Mama Reta's is the place to go. read more

Great food (especially the corn bread)and great service. Even got to meet Mama Rita herself. Place fills up so best to get there early. read more

This is a great locally operated lunch establishment. Goods solid home cooking that comes with dessert. The thing that sets her apart of the staff. They are so attentive and so very, very courteous. It reminded me of when I was young and people one how to act. As an added bonus she makes fresh baked tea called that were exactly like my grandmother's. I'll definitely be back. read more

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

Yaasssss!!! It was soo great going to this restaurant because 1) they treated you not just as a guest, but as family. The owner and cook Mama Reta came to greet each person and asked how we were doing and was just inviting. The food was amazing and all of it was reasonably priced! read more

What an adorable place to eat!!!! The food is amazing - Best Gumbo I've had in awhile - we also met Mama Rita and she is so precious !!!!!! I highly recommend you eating here and bring the family. read more

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First time to Lake Charles. Siri directed us here as one of the best. Did not disappoint. Food was awesome. Staff friendly. Hope to make it back here! read more

Well what can I say about Mama Reta's. I'm glad I passed up steam boat bills only to find this great place in downtown lake Charles! From the moment I walked in momma came over and greeted me and took my order. The catfish basket and onion rings were awesome along with the service I will be coming back for seconds! read more

First time visit.. had really good soul food. Spot is small and it's not a chain restaurant but the cornbread dressing, BBQ pork steak, mac n cheese, fried chicken and baked beans are on point. Our waiter was excellent in the suggestions he gave us. I love trying family owned businesses. Downtown Lake Charles hidden gem for sure. read more

OMG, the VERY BEST food for our soul. Jst right amount of spice and love. Perfect finish for a Daughter-Mothers day of "mystery crusin" to Port Arthur, LA! A MUST stop. You will be blessed and spirit touched by amazingly, authentic food! read more

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My family and i came to Mama Reta's. It was our first time eating in Louisiana. When we came we ate really good food and met Mama Reta. She is a really kind person and the chicken was amazing!! If you are ever in Lake Charles you should stop by. read more

Mama Reta's Kitchen - Great food and Mama Reta is a very kind lady. First time eating in louisiana and i am glad we came! - Soul Food Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

This was the best meal I had in Lake Charles. On Thursdays, we get the smothered chicken! It was juicy, gravy, and can't-stop-me-kind-of-saucy. The chicken is moist and falls apart with an easy pick. We also ordered the chicken gumbo, and was surprised to see whole pieces of chicken legs and breasts in the mix of a dark roux gumbo. The Mama Reta does the chicken right. The gumbo tasted a little burnt though. The smothered chicken definitely won me over. If you are driving by, gambling near-by, or hungrrrry - stop on by here and you won't regret it (the 5 stars rating is not a hype!) read more

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

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It was fantastic food, the fried chicken was amazing. My okra was great. They give you cake with any meal you order. Definitely recommend to anyone looking for some new soul food to try. EVERYONE SHOULD TRY THIS PLACE ONCE. read more

Good food. Great customer service. Even met Mama Reta. Late review as my visit was in Aug 2018 and I don't remember much details. I'd visit again on my road trip to New Orleans. read more

We stopped for a late lunch on our trip from Destin, FL to Houston, TX. Delicious food, very casual and you get a piece of cake with your meal. Yum! read more

A co-worker and I are back in town for work and the entire drive here from Tx we were looking forward to coming here! The staff is FANTASTIC and the food is authentic and nothing short of perfection. The red beans and rice is what I get every I am able and I end up getting some go go! I have also had the chicken with gravy special and it was so juicy and tender it practically fell apart. AH-MAZING! This is the one and only time any place has been worth my time to review and it was worth every second to give this great little place the credit it deserves! I will come back even if I take the time to drive for nothing else BUT the food! Enjoy it y'all! read more

I went for lunch here while working in town. I was greeted with a smiling face from the hostess and was quickly seated at my table. My waitress was quick to greet me and take my drink order. She was just as friendly as the hostess. I had the Wednesday meatball stew and mashed potatoes, red beans, roll and chocolate cake special. I was approached by Mama Reta and asked how my meal was while I was eating. The food was very good and the service was exceptionally well. The establishment is clean and neat. I was in and out with no wait time and was treated like I was family. I will go back again and I would recommend anybody else to this place. read more

Oh my goodness today is the first time I've had mama reta cooking I got the plate lunch which was fried chicken with rice and gravy corn as my veggie with a roll and small piece of white cake and again OH MY GOODNESS if I could curse on here I'd be cursing up a storm about how INCREDIBLE this food was normally I'd only eat maybe half a plate lunch in one sitting I finished off the entire thing it was perfectly seasoned with perfect amount of spicy the chicken was cooked just right not at all dry portions... fantastic I cant rave enough about how delicious this was and to top it all off mama reta herself brought my food out to me (to go order) and she made sure I got utensils so I gave a little taste of the gravy while my friend waited for her food and I had to hunt mama reta down to tell her how good it was and the staff including reta were all polite helpful and fantastic I rarely give all five stars but this place tops em all I couldn't be happier with my food and my service keep up the great work and can't wait to see y'all again soon!!!!! read more

Mama Reta's Kitchen - Remnants of fried chicken plate lunch!!! - Soul Food Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

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