The COVID crisis has certainly taken its toll on our economy and none are more impacted than the restaurant and bar community, with closures, curfews, restrictions, and low tourism.

SO, why open a NEW restaurant in Miami? And basically in the middle of a pandemic?

Miami Beach real estate broker Howard Chase and his wife, Liliana Chase, wanted to bring traditional BBQ to Miami and felt the timing and location with plenty of outside dining worked regardless of the crisis.

The couple signed a three-year lease with extension options, for the former Cheeseburger Baby space at 212 NE 79th Street in Miami and opened Big Mama’s BBQ this year. The barbecue restaurant serves classic dishes like baby back ribs, St. Louis-style ribs, pulled pork and fried chicken.

Although a top realtor with two locations in Miami Beach, it is Howard’s wife Liliana who is the restaurateur, formerly operating a restaurant in Cali, Colombia.

But it was hearing about the Food Rescue US Miami COVID Relief efforts feeding the community that brought Big Mama’s BBQ to MIAbites and ultimately to Food Rescue US.

Starting on Wednesday, November 4th, from 2-4 pm, Big Mama’s BBQ will offer FREE meals to furloughed and unemployed hospitality workers, food-insecure individuals and families, and anyone in need of a meal. Other free meals will be distributed on Wednesday November 18th and Wednesday, December 2nd.

Howard Chase, owner of Big Mama's BBQ remarks: “As a real estate broker, I am always helping people achieve their biggest dreams, which is extremely gratifying for me. And after opening Big Mama's BBQ with my wife Liliana, I found that serving delicious BBQ brought huge smiles to the faces of our customers which has been equally gratifying. By working with Food Rescue US to serve delicious BBQ free of charge and creating those same smiles for those who need them the most is perhaps the most gratifying experience of all. Giving back to our community and helping alleviate hunger in our city is a wonderful opportunity for which we are very grateful. Thank you to Food Rescue US for helping Big Mama's BBQ contribute to the smiles in our Miami community.”

The free menu includes Big Mama's BBQ's St. Louis ribs, house-made veggie jambalaya and classic southern coleslaw and is packaged as take out to maintain safe COVID protocols. The actual distribution will be at the Food Rescue US tent across the street at 225 NE 79th, and we ask that all recipients respect social distancing and wear a mask.

For more information and to get involved as a donor or volunteer, please reach out to Ellen Bowen: ellen@foodrescue.us. VOLUNTEERS are always welcome.

Big Mama’s BBQ

212 NE 79th St.( Meals at the Food Rescue US tent across the street)

Miami, FL