LINDSIDE W.Va. (WVDN0 – Back at the beginning of 2024, a new restaurant hit the streets on Seneca Trail South in Lindside.
Haley Murphy decided to bring Mountain Mama’s BBQ to the area and give everyone a brand-new barbecue experience, which according to the reviews online, has been a huge hit locally.
Starting the business became a no-brainer as Murphy likes people to make sure people leave her restaurant with a better feeling than when they arrived.
“I’ve always been inspired by cooking, and I enjoy making people feel good through food, so I’ve found my niche, Murphy stated.
Picking a location was goal no. 1 for Murphy, but when she found one, it became an easy choice.
“I chose the location because there had previously been a restaurant there in the community and for a long time that was a gathering place for locals and passersby. I saw it as an opportunity to continue bringing great food and a sense of community to the local area,” Murphy said.
She also got wind of the lack of drive-thru restaurants in Monroe County which just reaffirmed her location decision even more.
“We received a ton of feedback from locals mentioning a couple of drive-thru’s from previous years. However, no one mentioned one that is currently active within the county, but I guess it’s a possibility. It was exciting to receive so many responses from the community though,” Murphy exclaimed.
For locals deciding where to dine on certain nights, Mountain Mama’s is surely to be in the plans. From her grandparent’s inspiration to the food and service customers will receive, Murphy stresses that her staff will do the best job they can to make sure the experience is top-notch.
“Mountain Mama’s is unique in many ways. From our special house rubs down to the transformation of the building itself, there will always be other restaurants, whether they serve BBQ or not. The difference is the quality, taste, level of service, and sense of community you receive when you visit Mountain Mama’s. Many of my inspirations have come from my grandparents and I strive to incorporate their expectations into our business structure and offerings. From the ingredients we use to our greetings at the door, we strive to always make our patrons feel welcome to join us for a home cooked southern meal,” Murphy explained with a smile.
Mountain Mama’s currently has 12 employees and with the history they all share, the transformation to the new business opportunity was practically seamless.
“Some of them have worked for me on other jobs and asked if they would have a place on this new venture. I of course said yes, and they are great people to have on a team,” Murphy said.
However, with all new businesses, some challenges can arise out of nowhere and that is probably the toughest part for the owner.
“Absolutely, there are always challenges that small business owners face,” Murphy stressed.
“We’ve struggled with inflation and increasing food costs. Unexpected building and structural complications have also been challenging. As with most other small businesses, employees are a key to our success. Employment variables can pose challenges at times. We have our group of loyal patrons, who we very much appreciate. We support our local community and fellow business owners and will continue to do so, and we highly encourage all others to do the same,” she added.
So, as the business continues to grow and the customers keep showing up, Murphy takes nothing for granted and even has advice for others looking to start something from the ground up.
“Stay focused, teat people right, provide a quality product at a fair price and never give up,” she concluded.
Mountain Mama’s BBQ business hours are:
Breakfast: Monday – Friday 6-10 a.m.
Lunch and Supper Monday – Thursday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
