The spacious and modern interior of the new Yo' Mama's restaurant in Birmingham.
Birmingham, Alabama, celebrates the opening of Yo’ Mama’s restaurant at a new location on Fourth Avenue North. With over 5,000 square feet of space, the family-owned eatery offers an extensive menu, including gluten-free options and a unique dining experience featuring robot servers. The restaurant emphasizes community involvement and accessibility, making it a vibrant gathering place for locals and visitors alike.
Birmingham, Alabama, has good reason to celebrate as Yo’ Mama’s restaurant has officially expanded to a fresh new spot! On January 6, 2025, the family-owned eatery opened its doors at 2024 Fourth Avenue North. Nestled in the heart of the historic Fourth Avenue district—home to one of the few remaining Black Business Districts in the Southeast—this beloved establishment is the only Black-owned sit-down restaurant in the area, maintaining this vibrant, community-centered ecosystem.
The founder of Yo’ Mama’s, Denise Peterson, made quite a leap from her 30-year career at AT&T to pursue her dream of opening a restaurant. What began as a three-year plan to evaluate the success of her venture has blossomed into over ten thriving years of serving up delicious dishes to both locals and tourists. Who could have guessed that this culinary journey would lead to such a fantastic outcome?
The new location boasts over 5,000 square feet of space, allowing for a much larger dining area that can accommodate around 100 patrons! Can you believe that? In the old spot, the capacity was less than 40. The upscale new digs feature high ceilings, a private event space, and even a friendly dish-delivering robot named Geoffery, surely making every visit an entertaining experience.
Dining at Yo’ Mama’s is all about variety and quality. With a menu composed of approximately 90% gluten-free options, there’s something for everyone! The star of the menu has to be the fried chicken and waffles, a dish that has garnered rave reviews. Other fan favorites include shrimp and grits and tacos, alongside a rotating “meal of the day.” Each dish echoes the restaurant’s commitment to serving good food for the soul.
The Peterson family plays an active role in this successful establishment. Denise’s family members help manage various aspects of the restaurant; from co-owning and managing to overseeing digital functionalities and finances, teamwork truly makes the dream work! And let’s not forget the technological upgrades that have taken this dining experience to new heights, including not one, but two robot servers, Geoffery and Rosie, making the food delivery process speedy and efficient.
What really sets Yo’ Mama’s apart is its unwavering dedication to community service. The restaurant actively supports individuals on the autism spectrum through employment opportunities. Plus, partnerships with local organizations aim to provide job training and outreach initiatives. This commitment has not gone unnoticed, as Yo’ Mama’s has attracted national attention, hosting notable guests such as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and even former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.
Yo’ Mama’s has been recognized in various publications as a top restaurant in Alabama by outlets like Southern Living. Their community-centric focus continues with efforts such as feeding the homeless and nurturing other local Black-owned businesses. And you’ll be pleased to know that the new location offers accessible parking, with the first hour free at the adjacent BPA Parking Deck #3—perfect for hassle-free visits!
Future plans for the restaurant include hosting private events and offering sensory-inclusive services with tools from KultureCity, catering to customers with sensory sensitivities. This thoughtfulness adds to the welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant.
Yo’ Mama’s invites you to check them out for lunch every Monday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Don’t miss out on their popular brunch, which takes place on the second and last Saturdays of the month. With such a fantastic ambiance, delicious menu, and community-first attitude, it’s clear that Yo’ Mama’s is more than just a restaurant; it’s a warm gathering place for everyone!
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