Big Lou’s Kitchen is more than a restaurant, it’s a legacy built on family, faith, and community.

Our story begins with Mary Elizabeth Simmons, a woman deeply rooted in New Bern, North Carolina. Born in 1933, she dedicated her life to serving others through her church, her community, and her work in the food service industry as a cook. She was known not only for her meals, but for her generosity, her strength, and her unwavering commitment to the people around her.

Mary was a pillar in the community. From her involvement in local civic organizations to her decades of ministry work in churches, hospitals, and correctional facilities, she lived a life of service. But beyond all her accomplishments, one of her greatest contributions was the love she poured into her family and the traditions she passed down through food.

Years ago, that love took shape in a family-owned restaurant on Green Street. It was a place where people gathered, where meals were shared, and where community felt like home. Though that restaurant was lost to a fire, the spirit behind it was never lost.

Today, that same spirit lives on through her grandson.

Carrying forward her legacy, he has continued to serve the community, not only as a general contractor helping build and restore homes across New Bern, but also by bringing people together through food once again. Just one street over from where Mary lived and once served others, Big Lou’s Kitchen was born.

This restaurant is a full-circle moment.

It’s family-run, community-driven, and built on the same values Mary lived by: hard work, hospitality, and heart. Every plate served is a tribute to the past and a step forward for the future. From early mornings to late nights, Big Lou’s Kitchen is here to feed the community, just like she did.

Because this isn’t just food.

This is legacy. This is family.
This is home.