Lambert's Cafe

lisamcgu
lisamcgu
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
4
Reviews
5
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Editor Pick

Lambert's Cafe

Lambert's Cafe

If there's one thing about the South that I quickly learned, it is that the people there love to eat. The folks who dine at Lambert's Cafe are no exception. Everything about Lambert's Cafe is big, from the size of the lettering on the sign out front to the size of the line to get in (45 minutes) to the size of the parking lot to the size of the restaurant itself, and to the size of the waists of the people who dine there.

The first thing you will see when stepping into Lambert's is a small "museum" of sorts that displays the history of the restaurant and the founders. You will notice that a lot of the history mentions the "throwed rolls." Once you sit down, you'll realize that "throwed rolls" are exactly what it sounds like. The restaurant itself is divided into several main rooms, each packed with wooden tables, benches, and chairs. If you sit on the outside of each section, you will be under a barn-like roof. Those in the middle section are more in an open area.

On the table, don't expect to have silverware and napkins. You'll find a roll of paper towels and a metal bucket with plastic-wrapped silverware for you to use. This seems to be the norm in Alabama. Throughout the meal, expect servers to come by with free fried okra, tomato and macaroni soup (read: nasty), fried potatoes and onions, and apple butter for the infamous rolls. If you want one of their huge rolls, simply raise your hand when the roll thrower is in the area. He'll gladly throw you a roll from the other side of the restaurant. Just make sure you catch it.

The menu lists numerous burger, sandwich, seafood, and other fried options. Chicken, beef, pork, and fish are all on the menu. On my visit, I ordered the Hot Beef Sandwich, an open sandwich covered in gravy and served with two side dishes (in my case, french fries and cole slaw). Most dinners range between $9 and $14 and are very filling. The salads are perhaps the biggest things you will ever see, coming in a cowboy hat-sized bread bowl. And, like the salads, the drinks come in huge plastic mugs... with free refills on most drinks.

When leaving Lambert's, similar to when you get off a ride at an amusement park, you have to walk through a gift shop before exiting the building. If 52-ounce coffee mugs are your thing, be sure to grab one here.

Lambert's Cafe is just a few miles from Gulf Shores, AL, and is in a spot that is frequently hit by hurricanes. If you plan to dine at Lambert's during hurricane season, call ahead to see if it is open. If it is open, get ready to catch some flying rolls and unbuckle your belt after you eat an insane amount of food.

Please note: they only accept cash (though there is an ATM outside).

From journal I Reckon I Just Took a Trip to 'Bama

Lambert's - Home of the Thrown Rolls

  • August 31, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by liteadawn from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Wow - This was such a fun place to eat, and the food was great. The service was wonderful. They give you huge portions. We ate as much as we could and got the rest to go. We ate of the same plate the next day for lunch and supper. The throwing of the rolls was a lot of fun, and all the extra foods they walk around with for your enjoyment at no additional charge is a big plus. If in the area you must visit.

From journal Vacation in Gulf Shores

Lambert's - Home of the Throwed Rolls

  • June 9, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by darla2 from Kent, Ohio
Lambert's - Home of the Throwed Rolls

If you want something different this is the place to go. Rural American decor with hams hanging everywhere. They do throw (large dinner) rolls. Very American food. First day I had a chicken salad, which filled the whole plate. Second day I had frog legs. They also have steaks and even liver and onions. After ordering your food, the waiters come around with food in buckets: black eyed peas, fried potatoes, etc. They even came around with a few surprises! The kids got free balloons. You cannot leave here hungry, and although the sign says you cannot have doggy bags, they do give them. The also have a gal who takes pictures of the whole family for $5. Fun place for the whole family.

From journal Gulf Shores and Mobile Bay, AL

Editor Pick

Lambert's - Home of the Throwed Rolls

  • January 24, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by lisamcgu from Orange County, California
Yes, there is one here too. This small family-run chain of restaurants started in Missouri in 1942. Now, it serves its famous southern home cooking in other locations as well.

Chicken and Dumplings, Catfish, Southern Fried Steak, Meatloaf (my favorite), BBQ Ribs, whatever you want - the menu is huge! But that is not the draw here, its the "throwed" rolls.

My friend told me the style of serving extra food onto your plate throughout the meal is called "lagniappe," a southern word. They do that here by having the servers walk around with huge bowls offering Okra, sliced potatoes and, well, I can't remember the rest, except the rolls.

They aren't just passed to you out of a big bowl, like the other pass arounds, which are plopped down in huge helpings onto your plate. A waiter will show up across the room with the rolls and to get one you have to raise your arm and get his attention (wave, call out, whatever). When he sees you, be ready. A fresh, hot, ultra-wonderful, best you ever had roll will immediately come flying at you from across the room.

Obviously, the atmosphere must lend itself to having food flying all over the place, and it does. Comfy, well-worn booths line the walls, and I think I remember peanut shells on the floor, or it was just that type of place. Anyway, when you sit down, you'll notice your own roll of paper towels sitting there waiting for you on the table. These come in handy for those throwed rolls, there are no bread plates here. And the rolls are sooo good you must be sure to get extra when they come by and get some of that Sorghum Molasses that comes by right after and smother it all over 'um. Shall I say it, okay, yum!

From journal Shell Shopping in the South

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