“You have to go to Mom’s Kitchen—she makes the best bulgogi in town.” Asking as to where Mom’s was located, my friend tried to describe it, and then said he would get back to me with an address. Located on Fort Campbell Blvd., you do have to be looking for Mom’s Kitchen if you want to find it. Tucked behind a barbershop, Mom’s is set back in a small building with a peach, green, and blue striped awning.
Another friend agreed to meet me for lunch. Pulling up to the restaurant, I wasn’t certain it was open. Walking in, there was no one to be seen, but after a minute, we were greeted by “Mom.” She asked if we wanted lunch, and told us to sit wherever we wanted. She brought us menus, inquiring as to what we would like to drink.
When she brought our drinks, she wanted to know what we wanted to eat, and then told us what we should order. I was agreeable, because I knew I wanted to try the bulgogi, but my friend was looking at a soup. Telling him that the soup took a long time to make, Mom suggested that he, too, should have the beef bulgogi or the pork bulgogi. He asked for the chicken. Shaking her head, she told him no. She was out of chicken. He settled on the vegetable fried rice.
We chatted a couple of minutes while Mom made up the food. My friend mentioned WC Field’s quote: “Never eat at a place called ‘Moms’, but if the only other place in town has a sign that says ‘Eats’, go back to Moms.” Had we broken this cardinal rule? The arrival of our food helped us to make that decision.
Piled high and steaming hot, the bulgogi was full of generous cuts of beef, along with plenty of onions, peppers, and crisp slices of cabbage. The sauce had the signature bulgogi sweetness, along with a nice hint of pepper. Upon setting the plate in front of me, Mom instructed me to make sure to let my friend try my food, too. He was pleased with his loaded plate of rice, but after my pronouncement of delicious bulgogi, he decided to give it a try. He agreed that it was really good and at my insistence, took a big spoonful to top his rice.
Mom also brought out small bowls of cold cucumber kimchi and hot summer squash. The kimchi was wonderful– the cucumbers were crunchy and cool and spicy. Neither of us cared for the squash in its “butter-like” sauce.
Reminding me of a Seinfeld episode, Mom’s Kitchen is not necessarily for those who are looking to eat what they want. (After the fact, I did recall that the friend who recommended Mom’s may have mentioned that.) Apparently, Mom’s Kitchen is not so unlike other moms’ kitchens: “This is what I am making; you will eat it and you will like it!”
Mom’s Kitchen
1949C Fort Campbell Blvd.
Clarksville, TN 37042
(931) 645-1114
Mon- Sat. 10:30 AM-8:30 PM (Summer hours: Closed Saturday and Sunday- Call ahead to verify)