Matt & Big Momma's

Matt talks about Big Momma’s Burritos like the small Athens tex mex joint is an old friend. He walks in the door and is immediately at ease, swiftly leading me to his favorite eating spot in the restaurant, a place he lovingly calls ‘the nook’. We sit in front of the storefront window, gazing out as people walk by, casually glancing in to catch a glimpse of someone enjoying a burrito. From this vantage point one can see across the street and spot some of Athen’s other fine eateries: Bagel Street Deli and Cranky Joes’s BBQ.

Also just visible is the distinctive red chili pepper sign that denotes the location of Athen’s Chipotle grill. Matt doesn’t have much to say, nice or otherwise, about the Mexican fast food chain’s presence in this town. His feelings are pretty much summed up when he tells me “I prefer Big Mama’s because of the non-corporate flavor”.

Looking down at the laminated menu, stained by the fillings of countless burrito blowouts, its easy to see the appeal of this place. Matt points out the Chipotle Ranch burrito as well as the chips and sombreros, two of his favorite dishes on the menu. Each item is described in a very clear-cut manner that leaves nothing to the imagination. What you see is what you get.

Matt first started coming here halfway through the fall of his freshman year at Ohio University. The relationship has stood the test of time, as he’s been coming here ever since. He estimates that he visits the establishment around 3 to 4 times a week, chalking up this frequency to his inability to cook for himself. He also admits that many of his visits occur after 2 AM, when Athen’s bars close and the revelers begin their long treks home.

Big Momma’s Burritos makes a great pit stop after a night out on the town. The furnishing is sparse, and the late night lines often stretch out the door, but there is a certain comradery that this fosters. Matt says that he often makes fast friends with others in line, all waiting for their chance to order one of Big Momma’s Burritos.

Matt assures me that he always remember these late night trips the next day, attributing this to the great food, the unique flavor of the establishment’s chipotle ranch sauce and the dab of sour cream he sometimes finds on his cheek. To Matt, Big Momma’s Burritos is more than a place to grab a bite to eat, it’s a locale with many memories.