Big J's Southern Cooking & Catering — Restaurant in Temple

As a trucker being away from home is hard. l miss my family back home and I miss getting together with them for Sunday meals. With this said, it's been almost 3 years we've been out on the road. 3 years away from home. Today, my husband knew I was especially missing my Sunday meals and offered to go across the street and get us some bbq to cheer me up. I was not expecting much and I DEFINITELY wasn't expecting what he came back with at ALL.

When he got there he realized there was meatloaf, which I love but had only had lackluster, salt and pepper seasoned attempts in the places I had tried out in many different places, in many different states over the road. He choose the BBQ Chicken for himself being usually strictly of the Salt and Pepper persuasion.

When he came back to the truck I immediately recognized the smell of my Aunt Pat's cooking and it transported me to being a little girl attending the Mother's Day Church Banquets.

I dug in and I TELL YOU, I had not finished chewing the first bite when my soul said "Thank you for finally feeding me". I'm not even religious but I tell you...Bless the hands that prepared this food. EVERYTHING was so incredibly good, I almost cried because finally felt like I was home. This is not an exaggeration. I had to call immediately and let them know how grateful I was.

My husband who doesn't usually like any seasonings couldn't stop eating his chicken. It blew his mind the flavors that other spices could give. This alone! As a Latina, I've struggled as seasoning is life and he's always asked me to not "spice" his meals. He ate it loved it and tried to eat mine. Which he didn't get any because he realized really quick I was ready to fighy for this plate.

PS. I'm low carbing and when I tell you that it was so incredibly delicious( also the sides, the best damn cornbread omg!) that I forgot I was even dieting. I inhaled my plate. As a matter of fact if I'm 10 lbs heavier on the scale tomorrow it was worth it, I'd do it again and will do it again !!!

Thank you, thank you for taking me back home. Thank you for the excellent service and thank you for being able to take me back home to my family kitchen we're I grew up waiting anxiously at the kitchen table while mom mom or Auntie finished a meal I knew was going to be AMAZING.

When coming through in Temple, GA again, we will be parking at the Flying J, walking across the street and into the doors of heaven on earth. I don't want anything else, just Big J's Southern Cooking, the kind of food made with patience, love and flavor that if you didn't know any better you'd think...

I’m a truck driver and I saw this place on google maps. I decided to stop at Flying J across the street for my break so I can try it out. I’m all about supporting black owned businesses. I ordered the smothered Turkey wings with two sides and it was supposed to come with yellow rice. I told the young man at the register I wanted the dinner since it came with two turkey wings. He brought my food out to me once it was ready. I walk back across the street (it’s very hot outside) just to get to my truck and see that they didn’t give me the yellow rice or the 2nd turkey wing. I had a smoked Turkey wing with gravy smh. I walk back across the street to let them know. The young man tells me he ringed me up for one turkey wing when I clearly said I wanted 2 but that’s fine, what about the rice? He fixed me rice on the side and tells me he’s not going to charge me for it. I told him I wasn’t paying for rice anyway when I was told it came with it and I just paid 14 and some change and gave a tip.

I walk back to my truck across the street and all the gravy was in my Mac n cheese because they put the rice on the side. I let that slide, I taste the yellow rice and it was not good at all. It was mushy and had a nasty taste. The Mac n cheese was just ok, but the greens were good. I only tasted the food and took it back because I just could not Eat it. (I never tried the Turkey wing so can’t say what that was like)The taste is not to my liking at all. I go back and ask the young man at the register to switch it out with the lemon pepper wings (because who can mess up wings right?) and greens. He tried to charge me for it AFTER I returned the food. I told him I’m not paying 12.00 when I just paid 17 all together including the tip. I told him if they can’t switch it to just give me my money back because I can’t waste 14.00. He switched the order for me. He really is a nice and respectful young man. I walk back to my truck and taste the lemon pepper wings and they were disgusting. I don’t know what they use to fry their chicken but I spit it out. It has plenty lemon pepper on it but that taste is just something I can’t describe. Needless to say, I walked back over and just asked for a refund. The young gentlemen gave me my money back with no problem.

I’m a Florida native and we love southern food. This place just was not it for me. To each their own though. Good customer service though and the sweet tea was very good! They give free drinks for the truckers so that...

As a trucker it is hard to find good food while on the road that’s not a fast food chain. Luckily for me I found this gem while parking my truck across the street at flying j. I found Big J’s on google maps and my eyes lit up cause I haven’t had BBQ in over a year so I ran across the street for some eats. Stepping into the restaurant you’ll notice how spacious it is at first I didn’t notice the owner was behind the counter until I heard his voice 🤣 I got a warm greeting and I told him I’m starving and ready to dig into some brisket. Sad to say he ran out but I didn’t care I planned on getting my grub on and go straight to sleep. I ordered 10 wings and double Mac & Cheese as my 2 sides and I waited for my order. As I waited for my food me and the owner had a great convo about his business, his journey as an owner, life and whatnot. He’s very personable and gave me great wisdom and advice about my future endeavors in the food industry. Even after getting my food we still kept on our conversation as if we were family or we knew each other for years. I didn’t want to talk his ears off too much longer and I went back to my truck. I could smell the food through the bag I knew it was going to be a great experience and sure enough it was!

The wings had deep flavor with the smokiness that’s the first thing I noticed before the flavors of the seasonings and sauce hit my palate. 10/10 on the wings best I’ve ever had!

Then I tried the Mac & Cheese which was creamy and delicious! It reminded me of how my granny made her you can tell they made it from scratch with a rue and homemade cheese sauce. 9.5/10 I only docked .5 cause it was close to being better than my granny’s Mac 🤣

Overall this was hands down the best food/experience I’ve had being on the road in the south. I’ve tried other places in Georgia when I’m in the state and this place is top on my list by far. I’m not sure when I’ll be back down here again but when I find out I’ll be close to here just know I’m gonna spend much money at this place! I love to support black businesses especially if the product is top notch! Much love to the owner and his...