When I moved to Louisville in 2016, one of the first places a friend took me eat to was Momma’s Mustard, Pickles & BBQ on Bauer Avenue, where I had the most amazing brisket grilled cheese sandwich. I’ve since compared every brisket grilled cheese I’ve ever had to that one — and I have yet to find another that’s better.
I met owner Chad Coolidge, and we bonded over our Hawaii ties — me being a native and him attending Chaminade University. Of course, we also talked about the Hawaiian food we can’t get anywhere in Louisville.
This week, I caught up with Coolidge to talk about the food at Momma’s, how business has been, and what’s in store for this restaurant that was partially funded by a racing horse.
"We opened (our first location) the Monday after Derby 11 years ago," he told The Courier Journal. "And we opened our second location a year later."
Coolidge explained that Momma’s started off as a food truck, but it was a struggle to get it up to code. "It actually ended up taking us two years to get it up and running," he recalled.
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At the time, he already had a chef on salary: Jamie Given, who would eventually become his partner at the first Momma’s location.
"Since we didn’t have any way to sell the barbecue, I had him making my momma’s mustard and pickles and jarring them up, so he’d have something to do," Coolidge said.
The pair soon gained access to the kitchen of a local restaurant, which allowed them to whip up some barbecue for a few hours each night. But when that restaurant shut down, Coolidge and Givens were faced with a decision: cease their operations or take over the space. Though they knew it would be costly, they decided on the latter.
Fortunately, Coolidge was part owner of Mucho Macho Man, the American Thoroughbred who won the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2013.
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"Our sales were virtually nothing," he said, "(but) it seemed like every time we needed a little money, (Mucho Macho Man) would win a little money, (and) we could put (that) toward the store to get it fixed up and going."
Today, the Mucho Macho fried hot pickles — sweet and spicy chips made with bread-and-butter pickles — are an ode to the stallion. But Coolidge says customers especially love the wings, which are available in single orders or a plate of 10.
"Most people know about (them)," he said. "(They have) been voted best in Kentucky and best in Louisville numerous times by numerous groups."
Coolidge adds guests also love the beef ribs, and there’s no shortage of drinks, either — Momma’s boasts a big bourbon selection. The Bauer Avenue location is on The Urban Bourbon Trail and the store at 119 S. Hurstbourne Parkway just added a full bar last month.
“Our bourbon slushie is a huge hit,” he said. The bourbon slushie is now being offered with other liquors as well, like tequila and gin. “Those frozen drinks have been a lot of fun — everybody loves them.”
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The desserts are nothing to sleep on, either. Coolidge says the donut bread pudding ala mode, which is made with Bourbon Barrel Foods barrel-aged vanilla extract, has been a menu staple since day one.
"Most people use bread, (but) we use doughnuts," he explained.
Whether customers order wings, donut bread pudding, or anything else on the menu, 2% of all sales go to local charities.
"To date, we have raised and distributed $618,636 to the six local charities that we support," Coolidge said. Those are The Healing Place, Dare to Care, Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Louisville Sierra Club, Home of the Innocents, and Special Olympics of Kentucky.
Coolidge and his team try to do their part to be green, too. There are solar panels on the roofs of both locations, and they’ve done away with plastic cutlery and straws.
"(Everything) is biodegradable (and) corn-based," he explained. "We really try to focus on our environmental impact. We recycle all of our cooking oil, and we recycle what (we can) with (any) boxes or plastics (used in the stores)."
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Coolidge takes pride in the restaurant’s philanthropic and environmental efforts as well as the recognition it has received for its food. "We’re also proud that The Courier Journal named us best barbecue in Louisville, as did the readers of Leo Weekly," he said.
There is lots to celebrate at Momma’s — which, by the way, is truly inspired by Coolidge’s mother. That’s an image of her on the restaurant logo.
Though the original location is technically in its 11th year, it will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary throughout the month of June with half-off bloody Marys and two extra wings on a 10-piece order. There are also some other fun surprises Coolidge has planned, but customers will have to check Momma’s social media channels in the coming weeks to learn more.
"We appreciate (everyone’s) support (over the years)," he said. "We love this community. People have been great — they’ve supported us through a fire and a pandemic, and they’ve suffered with us through labor shortages. … And I want to give a shoutout to my employees, past and present. We’ve had so many great ones (and) I love them. They work hard, they do a great job, and really, they’re our heart and soul."
Know a restaurant that would make a great feature? Email writer Lennie Omalza ataloha@lennieomalza.comor Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory atkgregory@gannett.com.
Momma’s Mustard, Pickles & BBQ
WHAT: This is a locally owned, award-winning restaurant that serves Kansas City-style, dry-rub barbecue.
WHERE: 102 Bauer Ave.
SERVICES: Dine-in, carryout, and delivery via DoorDash and Grubhub; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
CONTACT: 502-939-MAMA, mommasbbq.com
