Not Your Mama's Cafe & Tavern

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  i've been here several times with good food, despite my mom's warning about her rancid fried oyster poyboy.  never again!  tonight was terrible.  how can you have a horrible meal with a wedge salad and a bowl of gumbo?  go to not your mama's!  we were left by our waitress, shondell, for about 25 minutes after getting apps.  didn't check on our drinks or anything in the meantime.  i went to the bar myself to see if i could order a drink, but apparently there is no bartender, so i sat down and waited a bit more for our waitress to appear.  
  
  granted the gloopy bleu cheese wedge salad was alright, and the fried alligator only had a few bad pieces, despite the breading not staying on.  but our bowls of gumbo were water thin and so terribly salty that it was inedible (not to mention the raw salad shrimp that seemed to have been thrown in as an afterthought) and our full bowls sat there as we asked for the check, explained to our waitress that the gumbo was terrible and waited another 10 minutes for said check.
  
  upon paying for dinner shondell offered to speak to the owner and see if the gumbo could be taken off the check.  almost immediately (she does something fast at least) she returned to tell us that he said he made it himself and there was nothing wrong with it.  i guess he didn't taste it!  so, we were charged for it.  i guess the customer is never right at not your mama's ...
  
  anyway, it was supposed to be a nice night out after a rough week, and now i guess i'll have to make a grilled cheese or something.  good thing i have a cold watermelon in the fridge to get the taste of salt out of my mouth.  
  
  there is no good reason for bad gumbo in this part of the country.  from now on, when i don't feel like cooking my own i will head to camille's, pay less, get friendly prompt service, and leave feeling like a champ, not a chump.  
  
  avoid this place at all costs!

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  Posted on 08.03.13 cheryl f.

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  The food was excellent.  Proportions are huge.  A little pricey though.

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  Posted on 04.25.13 Julie H.

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  Let me preface this review with the fact that I am a vegetarian, that my wife and I went to Not Your Mama's Cafe knowing that is, predominately, a seafood restaurant, that it received very good reviews from other diners, but that I would have few choices of foods that I'll be able to eat.  
  
  The front of the restaurant was simple, unassuming, but welcoming.  The dining area was clean, well-decorated with signs that contained interesting and thought-provoking statements, and there was ample space between the tables.  The bathrooms were clean and well-stocked with supplies.
  
  Our server (Briana) was sincerely welcoming, gracious, and accommodating.  My wife ordered the Crawfish Po-Boy. I requested an-off-the-menu Fried Eggplant Po-Boy made from the eggplant appetizer.  I'm under the impression that the kitchen staff never balked at this special order, as it arrived as requested.  Both my wife's and my main entree were served hot, were flavorful, well seasoned, and not greasy.  The side salad contained cold and fresh vegetables that were served on a chilled plate.
  
  Although Not Your Mama's Cafe was not our first dining choice in Livonia, it will be the next time we are in town!

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  Posted on 12.19.12 Jeff s.

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  On our way to the LSU game, we wanted to stop for lunch, and the group we were with recommend to stop by there.  Being there for the first time, I went with the classic fried catfish po-boy.  It was one of the better sandwiches I have had since living in LA.  The fish was perfectly breaded and fried to a crisp, and the bread was soft but firm enough to hold up the sandwich.  
  Hopefully we can stop there again next time, and I'll try the other items on the menu.  One recommendation, do not drink the water, 2 in the group said it tasted like pool water.  Go with the coke, and you'll be fine.

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  Posted on 10.04.12 Victor L.

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  The food was great. the service was bad. took over 1 1/2 hours to get our food. about a 30 min drive for us and that made for a supper that lasted over 3 hours.

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  Posted on 08.07.10 Steve F.

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  Nice architectural style.  Watch for it on the road because it is easy to pass up.
  The seafood is good and so are the steaks.  Staff is friendly.  Best of the cafe is the dessert section.  Best coconut cake I have ever had.

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  Posted on 12.26.09 Charles J.

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  This place is a real gem in a small town.  The home made from scratch yeast rolls are enough to keep me coming back.  I've never tasted any like this in any restaurant.  The outdoor courtyard built into the center of the restaurant is unexpected and unique, with an old New Orleans courtyard look.  Love all the old architectural details the designers used to create the old world ambiance in a new building.   If you are traveling in South Louisiana, make the time to drive down Hwy. 190, about 35 miles from Baton Rouge.  They don't currently have a seperate lunch menu, so it's not cheap to eat lunch, unless you get a burger or po boy.  Delicious fried catfish.  I usually get the fried catfish and with a soft drink and 20% tip, I spend around $20.

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  Posted on 02.19.09 Cheryl R.

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