Restaurant serving home-cooked soul foods and homemade ice cream opens in Fairview Heights

Jennifer Green

May 10, 2024 at 7:00 a.m.·2 min read

A former Lebanon restaurant recently reopened in its new Fairview Heights location.

Momma’s House - Treats & Eats is located at 5900 S. Illinois St., Suite 13, and offers hot, home-cooked soul foods and plenty of treats, which includes more than 40 flavors of homemade ice cream.

Previously known as Speak to Miss J, Momma’s House is owned and operated by Johnnie (Miss J) and Denon Minney.

The couple opened their business in 2022 on Lebanon’s Saint Louis Street and started with 21 flavors of ice cream and a handful of soul food dishes. At the time, their long-term goal was to transition into a full restaurant.

At their new location, they’ve done just that.

The business’ Fairview Heights site provides a fun and colorful setting with seating to accommodate around 20 customers at a time.

Seating for dine-in at Momma’s House - Treats & Eats in Fairview Heights Jennifer Green/jgreen@bnd.com

The menu offers sandwiches like the chicken philly, Italian beef, grilled cheese (add ham or turkey) and cheesesteak.

Fried rice, jerk tacos, street corn, barbecue pulled chicken, gumbo, soup and specials are also available.

As far as treats go, cheesecake and banana pudding are offered, as are more than 40 flavors of homemade ice cream.

Just in time for summer, folks can choose from basic flavors like chocolate and vanilla to more exciting flavors like black walnut, pistachio or cinnamon sugar.

Denon Minney said now that they have a larger kitchen, they can experiment with new menu items. The menu will soon include more baked goods, soups and vegetarian options.

The menu at Momma’s House - Treats & Eats will soon have more food options. Jennifer Green/jgreen@bnd.com

Momma’s House will also hold dinner theater events once a month.

These events include a five-course meal, entertainment, educational and interactive games and an all-around good time. May’s event will be held Sunday-Monday, May 19-20.

Tickets can be purchased at the restaurant.

Minney said they’re happy with the move to Fairview Heights and that the experience is a breath of fresh air.

The city’s been very welcoming and supportive.

“It’s nice to work with a town that wants you to be successful,” he said.

Momma’s House - Treats & Eats is located at 5900 S. Illinois St., Suite 13, in Fairview Heights. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

The business will host a ribbon-cutting event at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 15.

For more information or updates, call 618-589-3036, visit speaktomissj.com or search #mommashousetreatsandeats.

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Restaurant serving home-cooked soul foods and homemade ice cream opens in Fairview Heights

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