JJs Mamas Soulfood and More celebrates anniversary with soul food buffet
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For JJs Mamas Soulfood and More owner Tyleata Jones, the second anniversary celebration is a victory for the community. “I wanted to show people that I could make it,” said the chef. Jones moved to Lexington five years ago by way of an Atlanta flavor that will bend your ear.
She is inviting neighbors to the restaurant for a Taste of Soul Buffet Style Celebration at 601 W 5th Ave, Lexington with rotating menu items on Dec 15. The cost is $25 per person, children 10 and under $10 with 90-minute seatings. Guests can choose spaces from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Alcohol will be available for purchase with proper ID. Space is limited but 6.99 pound containers are available to go for the same cost.
Seasoned with a sweet soul and spicy goodness, Jones says it was all a dream. “I never thought I would own my own restaurant,” she confessed. “I was serving food from my kitchen before I found out that wasn’t legal and had to do the right thing for my son.”
She has faced opposition from high utility bills to COVID to having a staff of 17 to now four workers who still find a way to hustle. She shared, “I didn’t choose Lexington; God chose Lexington,” For Jones, restaurant work wasn’t easy to find five years ago. She decided to establish JJs Mamas, which mirrors that of grandmothers, mothers and a tradition that some say can’t be measured by a cookbook. “It’s a trip down memory lane.” The look and the feel of her restaurant is built around a mother’s or grandmother's living room. It represents love. She will “tell you like it is” but wants people to “feel at home…That is what I think of in my grandmother’s representation of love. She came from a tradition where tough and love were united. She offered free lunch bags through Soulfood Foundations, quickly noting that it was an offering for those who were truly in need. After a few times, they could be asked to ‘sweep the parking lot or something to give back.’”
Jones can add award-winning to her long list of accomplishments. Recently, she won a triad-based food competition during Eat. Drink. Restaurant Week! in the categories of BBQ and Soul/Southern.
The LexsNeck sandwich was inspired by Davidson County’s Barbecue roots
Jones says guests can expect those award-winning dishes and items on the regular menu from mac and cheese to cabbage, pigs’ feet, ribs, fried chicken, fish and collard greens.
For decades, their families took pride in carefully preparing every dish by hand and with love from their homemade recipes. It didn’t matter who you were, or where you came from, when you sat at their table and ate breakfast, lunch or dinner, you were family.
A portion of all proceeds will benefit the foundation’s meal donations and families in need during the holidays.
Jones is no-holds-barred when it comes to defending her business, and two years later, she is serving up love…down to the last neckbone.
To learn more visit: Taste of Soul Buffet Style Celebration
