Mimmie's Diner in Plains, GA

Sunday Supper!
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​Don and I enjoyed the most memorable lunch at Mimmie's, in Plains, Georgia. A "Sunday Supper Gathering" better describes the Southern Experience that we enjoyed.

We had a meal I'll never forget. And what led to the meal was even more memorable!

​Church First
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It was January in 2016, when Don and I headed off on a southern road trip. Our trip included a night in Americus, Georgia. We were excited about our stay in an historic hotel on Saturday night. As we approached the small town, a friend texted me out of the blue. She knew about our trip and wondered if we were anywhere near Plains. I checked the map and Plains was 10 minutes from Americus.  

After much texting and nudging, Don and I ended up altering our travel plans.  Instead of heading out early for New Orleans on Sunday morning, we would go to church! We got up at 5 and found ourselves in line outside of Maranatha Baptist Church. As the sun rose and a full moon faded, we shivered and chatted and laughed with others, as the FBI and Secret Service and bomb sniffing dogs did all their duties.

Sunday School With The Carters
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​We went through security and then spent 30+ minutes in the pews, receiving strict instructions from Miss Pat. She was quite a character, handling the packed crowd of "tourists". I felt like we were 7th graders in her gym class. (I loved her!) By 10:00, about 35 local church members (and visiting Paula Deen) arrived. They were seated in a reserved section in front.

Then President Carter began his weekly Sunday School. The crowd of about 300+, was mesmerized. Mr. Carter spoke for 45 minutes, in a gentle voice that had me leaning in to absorb each word. Stories about his childhood and thoughts about an accepting God... And then after a short break there was a whole church service, with hymns and collection. And then! The Carters graciously greeted a long line of folks who had traveled from at least 45 states and numerous countries, to hear him speak. What an amazing morning.

​Lunch at Last
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​By the time we left the church it had been over 6 hours since our granola bar breakfast. We headed to the only Sunday lunch option in Plains.  

We had heard that Mimmie's was the place to go. It was a cute little diner with a very busy parking lot.

Another Line
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A long line of people awaited us when we stepped inside. We saw many of the same people we'd seen in church and figured their stomachs were growling, also.  

It was hard to believe we'd just driven to Mimmie's. It seemed more like we'd just followed the crowd down to the church basement.
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Locals
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​There were quite a number of people dining out on a sunporch area. They must have been locals, since many were finishing up.  

We'd heard the Carters often come to Mimmie's after the service. But we didn't get our hopes up, since we knew the Carter's friend Paula Deen was in town and they probably had bigger plans.

Soul and Southern Food 
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​The line moved quickly, so I didn't really have time to figure it out, until we were standing there right in front of the steaming food containers.  

Luckily the servers were patient as I studied the options.  

Dinner Tickets

​I kind of liked the "meal ticket" plan. We quickly decided if we wanted a "meat plus 2" or a "meat plus 3".  The 3 meant you got dessert.

My green ticket got me fried chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, greens,  cornbread and iced tea.

​Community Seating
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​We were handed our trays and then it was time to pick a seat.  The smaller tables were all on the porch. The 2 large rooms seemed to have community tables only.  

It felt like we were having a meal in a church hall... except for the antique saws on the wall.

Table 14
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​We looked around to see what the other diners were doing and decided to keep our dishes on the trays. I was amazed to see the family staff in their white aprons efficiently clearing tables. I could see how dining on the trays helped with efficiency.  

As for the food, it was like going to eat at your Southern grandma's. My fried chicken was tasty and much better than Don's baked! My collard greens and Don's lima beans were pretty much what was expected. Don's yellow ticket got us a pecan pie to split!  Yay for Georgia and pecan pie!

People Watching
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​As we sat eating, it was curious to watch the people in line.  Who were all these people, who had traveled so far to hear the former president speak?

And would any of these people join us at our table? It was kind of like being in the school cafeteria wondering who would come sit next to you.

Mark and Debbie

​We felt pretty lucky when a couple from New York asked to join us. They were also on a road trip and had decided to do the church stop as well.

Mark actually had some kind of job with the Senate back in the Carter years, so he had some interesting stories.

Mimmie and Family

​As things calmed down, I was able to chat briefly with Terrel and I think, his cousin. The restaurant is run by the Raven family, all descendants of Mimmie Hightower.  

 

I read that Mimmie was born to enslaved parents in 1850. That means Terrel and Kristen would have to be at least great-great grandchildren... or maybe we'd need to add another great? Terrel and Kristen posed under Mimmie's photo. 
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Milton and Willie Bell Raven opened the restaurant just a few years ago.  Milton was a former educator who grew up in the small community of Archery.  That's where the Carter Family Farm still sits today. Milton passed away a couple years ago, but he knew Jimmy his whole life.

Celebrity Photo with Miss Pat!
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​At one point I recognized Miss Pat across the room. She was standing around chatting and laughing with people, like she was at a cocktail party. She looked a lot friendlier than when she was in the church, laying down all the rules. Pat actually was a teacher in Plains!  

After being intimidated and amused by her before the service, I was eager to go have a chat, myself. Miss Pat was a delight. She said she loved my sweater. I felt like I was one of her local friends when she reached to read my clothing tag to find out where she could find one. I felt giddy, like I'd met another celebrity!

On the Road
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​After lunch, we headed back on the road with full stomachs and happy memories... which all began with the full moon and freezing pre-dawn temps.

The very best kind of dining adventure!
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