"IN 1947 LUCY JACKSON, A SELF-TAUGHT COOK DECIDED TO OPEN HER OWN RESTAURANT. WHILE WORKING ON DEVELOPING A NAME FOR THE BUSINESS, SHE RECEIVED SOME UNCOMMON INSPIRATION FROM A COUPLE OF SOURCES. FIRST, WHILE ON A TRIP TO CALIFORNIA, SHE SAW A PICTURE OF A BEE ON A LARGE MOVING SIGN, AND VIEWING IT AS A SIGN, DECIDED TO NAME HER RESTAURANT AFTER IT.

SHORTLY THEREAFTER, SHE WAS MOVED TO HELP AN AFRICAN MISSIONARY BY PROVIDING AHOT MEAL FOR HER. THE MISSIONARY WAS PREVIOUSLY IN ANOTHER WELL KNOWN RESTAURANT, BUT COULDN’T AFFORD TO BUY ANYTHING TO EAT. SHE WAS TOLD, “GO DOWN TO BUSY BEE, MOMMA LUCY WILL FEED YOU!”. THE MISSIONARY WAS SO REFRESHED AND ENJOYED THE MEAL SO MUCH THAT SHE WAS MOVED TO ENCOURAGE THE ASPIRING ENTREPRENEUR THAT BECAUSE OF HER KINDNESS, HER BUSINESS WOULD ALWAYS BE BUSY, AND THAT IT WOULD ALWAYS BE BLESSED. IT WAS THESE TWO ENCOUNTERS THAT INSPIRED THE NOW-FAMOUS NAME “BUSY BEE.” reads the website.



The classic southern restauranr has earned a James Beard Award for its menu of chicken, catfish, sweet potatoes, macaroni & cheese, ribs, porkchops, greens, okra, pie and more.

After placing an order online and waiting for a loooong time, my name was called, and I dug into my fried chicken, mac & cheese and candied yams immediately. Every bite was delicious - seasoned to perfection with big flavors that were so soul-soothing.



Grade: A