Madea's Famous Kitchen

Madea's Famous Kitchen serves Southern soul food plates from a Gilmer Road storefront in Longview, with catering and an event room on the side. Owner C.D. Hollins moved the restaurant to the Gilmer Road location from its earlier East Marshall Avenue home, and has since opened a second Madea's in nearby Marshall. The menu leans into the dishes soul food is built on — smothered pork chops, chicken and dressing, catfish, meatloaf and the sides that go with them — plus signature items like beef meat pies. Dine-in, take-out and catering are all part of the operation, and the on-site event room can be booked for gatherings. The restaurant carries a listing in Texas Monthly's restaurant directory, which is not a bad shelf to sit on for an independent East Texas kitchen. Hours and daily specials are worth confirming before you drive over.