Our Story

Mara’s Southern Kitchen restaurant is now closed. Many products unique to the restaurant are now available here, online, or at select stores on Long Island.

Mara’s Homemade food began at our former establishment, Java N Jazz, in Union Square.  While Java N Jazz was a neighborhood hangout, it also provided delicious homemade foods by Mara. We would label anything made by Mara, “Mara’s Homemade…” and that’s when Mara’s Homemade was born. Therefore, it seemed only fitting to name our new restaurant Mara’s Homemade.       

Mara's Homemade opened in Fall, 2003. The only American food on Indian Row, Mara’s Homemade supplied just that, made-from-scratch-on-the-premises just good food.

Son, Joshua graduated from Johnson and Wales University in 2007 with an Associates degree in Culinary Arts and Bachelor's degree in Restaurant Management. After working for Danny Meyer at Shake Shack and for Marc Murphy at Landmarc Time Warner Center, Josh joined the family business in 2009 leading the kitchen at Mara's Homemade.

On May 26, 2011 the doors opened at the new, larger location in Syosset, Long Island, New York.

Mara flies in from the Louisiana Gulf, fresh Oyster’s, Crawfish, Crabs and Shrimp.  Mara has created her own version of Char-grilled Oysters in addition to serving Oyster’s on the half shell. If you have been to NOLA and had the BBQ Black Peppered Shrimp then you will love Mara’s. Mara also serves such JazzFest favorites as Crawfish Mara, Crawfish Pot Pie, Crawfish Stuffed Bread and Crawfish Cheesecake. On the menu are New Orleans favorites such as Blackened Redfish, BBQ Shrimp, Catfish New Orleans, a sautéed catfish fillet smothered with Crawfish Etouffee, and Crawfish Mara. Also served are Gator Bites made from Louisiana alligator. 

Mara prepares her favorite desserts such as chocolate soufflé, bluegrass pie (pecan pie with chocolate and bourbon in the filling), banana butterscotch rye pie, key lime pie, red velvet cake, bread pudding, chocolate cream pie, and chocolate fudge pecan cake. In addition NOLA favorites, Bananas Foster and Beignets are prepared to finish your remembrance of the South.  Also available, seasonally, are fresh fruit cobblers and fresh fruit pies.

Iced fresh mint and sweet teas are made from loose tea leaves. Fresh squeezed lemonade is also served. Seasonally, Mara spices organic fresh Apple Cider and makes homemade Eggnog.

In May, 2005 Mara introduced Arkansas style smoked BBQ to their menu. Hickory and mesquite woods are used to infuse the best smoked flavor into the meats. The sauces are all homemade by Mara. They are bottled and sold at the restaurant.

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