Southern home cooking in downtown Panama City, two minutes from Harrison Avenue
Big Mama's on the Bayou has cooked at 620 W Beach Dr in downtown Panama City for over 20 years. The Martin Theatre on Harrison Avenue is a two-minute drive. Breakfast is weekdays from 6:30, lunch until 2:30, and brunch weekends from 9, with a free lot out front. Call (850) 784-6009 to confirm hours.
How close we are to downtown
The Martin Theatre at 409 Harrison Avenue is 0.6 miles and about 2 minutes away. McKenzie Park is about the same. The Bay County Courthouse on East 4th Street is 0.8 miles, about 3 minutes, and the Panama City Marina is under a mile.
That puts us close enough for a lunch break from a downtown office, and far enough off Harrison Avenue that you can park without circling the block.
Breakfast for people headed to work
We open at 6:30 on weekdays because downtown has to be at work. Most tickets are out in about ten minutes, even with a line. The Lil Mama's Special is two eggs with grits and toast or a biscuit for $6.25, and a whole biscuit and gravy is $7.99.
A downtown lunch break
Lunch is a meat-and-two from 11 to 2:30 for $13.99. Fried chicken and country fried steak are on every weekday. Monday is beef tips over rice, Tuesday meatloaf with tomato gravy, Thursday baked chicken and dressing. If your break is short, order ahead on Toast and pick it up at the counter.
Sweet tea and coffee are $2.99. There is no bar at this store. Our PCB store on Hutchison Blvd has the full bar.
Friday is the busy one downtown, because Friday is fish and shrimp. Fish with two sides is $15.99 and shrimp or a combo is $16.99. If you want a veggie plate instead, it is four sides for $12.50, and any dessert can be one of the four.
Downtown office catering
Office lunches downtown are a big part of our catering. Call with the date and the headcount, and say whether you will pick it up or want it brought over. We will tell you what we can do and what it costs. Pickup is a few minutes from most downtown offices.
Questions
Is Big Mama's on the Bayou downtown?
Yes. 620 W Beach Dr is on the water in downtown Panama City, about 2 minutes from the Martin Theatre.
Where do I park?
Free lot in front of the building. No need to look for street parking on Harrison Avenue.
Can I get in and out on a lunch break?
Most tickets are out in about ten minutes. Order ahead on Toast to save more time.
Do you cater downtown offices?
Yes. Call (850) 784-6009 with your date and headcount.
Hours
- Mon – Fri
- 6:30 AM – 2:30 PM
- Sat – Sun
- 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Hours may change, call to confirm: (850) 784-6009.




