Big Mama's Rib Shack

11/06/2007 Posted by netter1

I'm from Los Angeles, and I have to say I am a devoted fan of the Pasadena, CA location. My husband and I have been talking up this restaurant to all of our family and friends. As we were in Vegas this past weekend with family, we decided to drag some of them to Big Mama's for the best Southern/Soul/BBQ, as we knew the recipes were the same. Sadly, the food, atmosphere, and service were at the complete opposite end of the spectrum from the Pasadena location. The Pasadena location is a nice restaurant with pleasant staff and good table service. The Vegas location is more of a fast food joint where the customers are more likely to take out their order than to dine in. In fact, after we parked, we weren't sure if they were even open as 1/2 the lights in the dining area were turned off. Our server (the only one around) was extremely friendly, and determined to get our orders correct. However, the yelling match she conducted with the person on the kitchen side of the counter to ensure our orders were right was unnecessary and absurdly entertaining ... in an oh-my-God-I've-got-a-story-for-you drinking story way. Additionally, The food quality was all over the place...from cold corn bread and chicken & dumplings with no dumplings to perfectly fried okra and excellent fried chicken. The fried pork chops were nicely cooked, but the gravy on the smothered pork chops was lukewarm and slightly off. My brother commented that his oxtail entree was a little "vinegary"...as I've had the oxtails in Pasadena (which were not at all vinegary), his comment both surprised and worried me. I can honestly say that I won't be returning to this Las Vegas location.

Pros: plenty of parking

Cons: food, service, atmosphere

06/08/2007 Posted by hurricanesoccer

I'm from the NW and good Southern food is far and few between here. On visits to Las Vegas we heard rumors of a great place called "Big Mama's Rib Shack" -- IT WAS WORTH IT! Kind of in a strange part of town, north Vegas, a little less glam than the strip but who cares, you're here to eat not play the slots. The price of all the dishes are cheap cheap cheap, I love their red beans and rice, their pulled pork is AMAZING as with the ribs and corn bread and desserts! I could go on and on, but I really do agree that their "sauce is boss." The staff are wonderful and will steer you in the direction of something delicious if you're too overwhelmed, but if I may recommend the pulled pork - yum!!

Pros: Food, people, price

Cons: Tucked away

11/19/2006 Posted by pwarrick

On the basis of its proximity to my workplace, my Southern roots and the "best of Vegas" sticker in the window, I gave this funky looking place two shots. I was disappointed both times. First go-round, I got red beans and rice and barbeque. Way overpriced and tasteless. Still, I thought maybe I just got them on a bad day. Second trip, I went in, asked specifically what some of their most popular items were, and was told "catfish" so that's what I ordered. After 20 minutes, I finally had to ask the guy who took my order if the one plate that had been sitting on the pass-through window forevery if that was my order. It was, except that I ordered catfish and got--overcooked chicken. The sides of collard greens and macaroni and cheese were bland. Pecan pie was good, but you can get that anywhere. When I told the guy behind the counter that they'd gotten my order wrong, he asked if I wanted a refund of the difference between catfish and chicken. Uh, yeah.

Pros: Ambitious Soul food menu

Cons: Atrocious execution

11/13/2006 Posted by jdkirch

Order it at the counter and then set down to eat it. Ribs, greens, cornbread Big Mamma's got it all. Don't get no better than Big Mama's. Off the beaten path, but well worth the journey. "And better you better clean your plate, case Big Mamas's watching!!"

01/14/2006 Posted by cohvol

... this may not be the place for you. But if your looking for great food, then you must try Big Mamma's. The ribs and fried chicken are out of this world. If you can't remember what homemade mac & cheese tastes like then try Big Mamma's. This is a great place to come and eat probably the best BBQ in Las Vegas.

Pros: Inexpensive, Great Variety of food

Cons: Ambience

06/13/2004 Posted by dana912

Good local joint is a huge compliment in Vegas because they are few and far between. I ordered their food as take-out for a meeting one night. I was disappointed in the side dish portion sizes - very small and I didn't see any options for larger. The quality of the food was excellent though - good sauce on the ribs, good jambalya. Very expensive for what you get though. Service was excellent and very friendly. As for atmosphere - just keep in mind it is an old McDonald's resturant!

Pros: Good food, Great service

06/12/2004 Posted by dragonlady14

Worst ribs I've ever had! They were dry, tough and swimming in yucky BBQ sauce. Place had a "used " feel to it and the cook had to scrounge to find a knife for 3 people. I don't know what people are talking about when they say this place was voted best in Las Vegas because it certainly wasn't.

Pros: inexpensive

Cons: , yucky BBQ sauce, no silverware

12/27/2003 Posted by marog34

Prior to leaving for Vegas, my husband went on the internet to look up places to go for dinner. He came to Big Mama's Rib Shack and decided we would try it when we arrived in Vegas. Well, we arrived on Monday, however, we went to Big Mama's on Wednesday. What a Mistake!!!!!! We should have gone on Monday & Tuesday also. Talk about Eatin Good in the Neighborhood, this is the place to go. I got Catfish, oh my goodness!!!! absolutely scrumptious, perfectly fried, and perfectly seasoned. It was supposed to be a sandwich but enough fish for a dinner. I had french fries and coleslaw with it. The coleslaw is wonderful. My husband got Ribs and shared some with me, they were the best Ribs I have had in a long, long time. Can't wait to get back to Vegas just to eat at Big Mama's.

Pros: inexpensive, good parking, excellent service

Cons: room too cold

12/27/2003 Posted by jerog

We visited Big Mama's on Dec 24, 2003, and the food was so good, we would have gladly changed our plans for Christmas day. We had the Pork Ribs and Catfish, and the quality of the sides matched the quality of the meat. I haven't been to the other places in las vegas but I have been to Philips, Woody's, Tony Romas, and all the places in LA, and they dont come close to Big Mama's. Dont even bother with the cheap buffets and expensive steak house, go to Big Mama's and really eat good in the neighborhood.

Pros: Friendly service, Inexpensive, good parking