Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House Cookbook: A Celebration of Traditional Southern Dishes that Made Miss Mary Bobo's an American Legend

It's fun to read, but not all I hoped for. There was a German twist to some of the recipes and I am used to more Irish. Being born and bred in the Deep South, I guess I learned that Southern cooking is not the same in every Southern state. The Swiss steak recipe is nice, but I never knew anyone who ever made it and have only ever seen it in frozen dinners. It is an interesting book anyway, though.

I have actually had the opportunity to visit Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House. The only problem I had was that I visited in August and the first available time for a reservation was in December. Everyone in Lynchburg had nothing but wonderful things to say about the Boarding House and the food that is served there. So the next best thing to being able to eat there was to buy Miss Bobo's cookbook. The dish that my family and friends like the best is the Tenderloin Tips. I serve the beef up with a big heap of mashed potatoes and there is total silence because everyone is just enjoying the flavor of the food. I am ordering a copy for a dear friend of mine who is a true southern belle. I cannot wait to present her with her very own copy. The recipes are very easy to follow and you do not have to be a gourmet chef to use any of them. Another neat thing about this cookbook is the wonderful stories and pictures that are included. Miss Bobo had a very interesting life with many interesting visitors. Any American history buff of the 1880's to 1980's would really enjoy reading just the stories.

I had this sudden impulse to start baking everything that I could that would be southern cooking. My husband is from North Carolina, so he is a great critic. I have used this cookbook so many times it is crazy. The desserts are delicious. I love the Salmon Loaf and Meatloaf...gosh everything! I have recently bought a whole library of southern cookbooks and this by far would be my favorite and most used.

I have to admit I'm prejudiced because my family was from Lynchburg and I am a Bobo and a Waggoner. I pulled out the book to pick recipes for a traditional southern birthday dinner for my daughter. This is how I knew how to cook. I love to pull out the recipes for a good ole Southern meal in the heat of the summer with lots of iced tea and fresh tomatoes. It's something you can do about once a summer; however, many of the recipes can be used as a special treat with some low fat grilled chicken, etc. Most of my friends up here in Delaware really watch their diets but they chow down on my Southern dishes on holidays. I have given copies to my children and family. My youngest daughter especially likes to pick recipes from this book for any special occasion and loves to make them (and she'll be 27 tomorrow). I was surprised to see Uncle Roughton actually went to the World's Fair, bought Joan a china dog, and paid for her tap dance lessions--we thought he never spent any money. When I was there a few years ago, we met up with someone who had known him and he said he knew Roughton Waggoner--"still owns the first nickle he ever made." He's still famous over forty years after he died. I am back to purchase the book for a young friend who is getting married to a young man whose favorite dish she found out at a recent shower is Swiss Steak. "What is that?" asked all the guests but me. So I am coming to her rescue. This book brings back good Southern memories. There are many excellant recipes. By the way, my relative gave that still to Jack Daniel.

I was fortunate to dine at Miss Mary's last summer, and since then have used this cookbook on several occasions. The recipes are wonderful, truly Southern, and always turn out extremely well. I highly recommend this for those seeking the recipes they remember from their Southern childhood! The book also has tales about Miss Mary and the town of Lynchburg. Great book!