About Us – Vera’s Soul Food

About Vera's Soul Food

Before Vera’s became a neighborhood favorite, it was just a feeling—one passed down through generations. That feeling started on a farm in rural Augusta, Georgia, where Vera was born as one of six children to Emily and Pete Davis. Life was simple but rich in love, tradition, and flavor. From an early age, Vera was drawn to the kitchen, where her mother cooked with instinct, wisdom, and heart. No measurements, no fancy tools—just love, fresh ingredients, and patience.

Vera learned by watching. She watched how a pinch of salt could transform a pot of greens. How slow-cooked meals brought people together. And how food, when made with care, could speak louder than words.

But the true master in the kitchen was her mother—known to everyone as Big Mama. Big Mama wasn’t just a cook; she was the keeper of tradition. She carried generations of Southern cooking in her bones, and she passed it on like a sacred gift. Her recipes weren’t written down—they were taught hand over hand, taste by taste. Her cornbread, her fried fish, her stews—they weren’t just meals. They were memories, lessons, and love on a plate.

Years later, Vera’s grandson would carry that legacy with him. He took Big Mama’s fish batter recipe—the one that made family gatherings unforgettable—and started selling fish sandwiches out of a 300-square-foot space inside a laundromat in Brownsville, Brooklyn. No fries. No shrimp. No extras. Just three pieces of golden-fried fish tucked into a sandwich, sold for $1.50. Simple. Humble. Real.

That little sandwich stand became something more than just a place to eat—it became a community hub. Word spread. People lined up. Not just for the food, but for the feeling. The warmth. The welcome. The memory of a time when food was about connection.

Today, Vera’s has grown, but we haven’t changed. We’re still committed to serving food that’s honest, soulful, and affordable. We still use fresh ingredients and cook everything with the same love that Big Mama taught us. And most importantly, we still treat every customer like family.

Because at Vera’s, you’re not just eating—you’re tasting a legacy. A piece of Southern history. A story that began with a little girl watching her mother cook on a farm in Georgia, and lives on through every plate we serve.

This is more than food.
This is Vera’s.