September 17, 2021
Black-Owned Tennessee Hoagy Shop Takes Customers Back to The 90s
Lil Mama’s Chicago Style Hoagy is changing Tennessee’s sub sandwich scene one bite at a time.
Started by founder Tiffany Pauldon-Banks, the Chicago native sought to create an eatery experience that pays homage to her hometown and the era that raised her. With hoagy’s (sometimes spelled hoagie) being a staple in Chicago, Pauldron-Banks saw an opportunity to fill a gap by combining good food with 90s nostalgia.
“I was born in the 80s but raised in the 90s! It was the absolute best time in life – the style, the music, the television sitcoms all made the 90s such a unique era,” told Travel Noire.
“It was so full of life and color, so I figured why not recreate that and share that dope 90s experience with our guests. Our goal is to make our customers instantly feel good with the bright-colored walls, bomb 90s music, and the best sandwich in the city!”
One look at their Instagram page and it’s clear that Lil Mama’s is all about building with their community. With an innovative brick-and-mortar, passion for investing in creatives, and taking part in local contests to grow their business, Lil Mama’s is making lasting moves to ensure they stand the test of time.
“Lil Mama’s is changing the game because we’ve created a customer experience that takes our customers back to some of the best times in life,” Pauldon-Banks.
“We were intentional when creating Lil Mama’s. We wanted to create a nostalgic experience that guests would not forget. The sandwich game needed a change, and that’s exactly what we are doing!”
The restaurant does catering, hosts events for parties of up to 25 people, and recently upgraded its menu to include a Cali Turkey Club Wrap, more beverage options, and new community pop-ups.
Opened on Tuesday – Saturday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Lil Mama’s gets creative when finding new ways to connect with their local community.
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With a mindset of mentorship, leadership, and building within the community, Lil Mama’s has created an infectious culture all from the mind of a passionate Black business owner.
“Our goal is to continue to build a brand that makes our city proud,” Pauldon-Banks said. “We have invested in our employees in order to build leaders who will grow within our organization, but also set an example in the community. Our goal will always be to highlight and support Black excellence. We plan to expand to other cities in the southeast,”