Basin Bites: Tubby’s the local favorite that’s cooking up the soul

MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Tiara Jackson and her husband Courtney have gone from the food truck industry to becoming a local favorite. Their restaurant is called Tubby’s and you will surely feel that way after the food they serve.

The name behind the restaurant is one of legacy, as it is named after Tiara’s late mother Terry.

“Her name was Terry but her nickname was Tubby’s,” said Tiara. “We started from a food truck after cooking our house and we didn’t know what to name it. My husband was like name it after your mom and that’s where Tubby’s comes from.”

Before Tubby’s, both Tiara and Courtney had thier jobs but then decided to take a leap of faith and jump into the food business. They call the experience of having their own business different and a lot of work but it’s worth it.

“It was a big jump,” said Tiara. “Like I said, you go from doing what you want to do every day to being dedicated to having to be here in it for the people, your employees, you got to show up once you’re in a brick and mortar.”

Customers who’ve known Tierra know the ambition that she had to one day own her very own restaurant.

“We’ve been knowing Tiara for years and just proud of the accomplishments,” said a customer She’s always wanted to have her own restaurant and she loves the community so to see it fruition is pretty fabulous.”

Now the food experience at Tubby’s was one that felt welcoming as soon as I walked through the door. After speaking with Tiara and Courtney on their journey to owning Tubby’s my plate was ready and it was massive.

I had the catfish, with fried shrimp, mac n cheese, good potatoes, collard greens, a strawberry honey cake (dangerous… I’ll explain later), and washed it all down with the Tiara-lade (highly recommend).

The catfish was new to me because I had never tried it but was something I would go for again. As I took a bite I could hear the crunch and the fish itself was great. The shrimp was full of flavor thanks to the batter that they put together. And if you’re a hot sauce guy like I am, you need your Louisana with you for this.

Now for the sides, the good potatoes were something that you could eat at any point of the day. In simple terms, it’s the perfect side. Can’t go wrong with mac n cheese whenever it’s available and Tubby’s delivered on that. Personally, like the catfish, I’ve never had collard greens so this was a first. Growing up, greens were never my thing, but I’ll tell you this, if my mom had made them, I may have liked them more.

For dessert, a strawberry honey bun cake. This brought me back because, on my first bite, it brought back memories of when my step-mom would make a strawberry cake for birthdays. Right away this was a favorite for me, and I honestly wanted the whole pan sheet of it.

Tubby’s is located on 301 N Lee St, Midland, TX 79701. Their business hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 11am-6pm and on Sunday’s 11am-5pm.

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