Uncle Mort’s Restaurant opened in 1972 and was owned and operated by Morton and Jean Godfrey. The restaurant sat off Highway 78 East near the outskirts of Jasper, and actually originated as a meat business. When customers began requesting sandwiches and biscuits, the Godfreys built a small kitchen and continued to add on as business grew.Although the menu listed steaks and seafood, the specialty was an all-day breakfast, including eggs, bacon, sorghum syrup, and red-eye gravy. In the early eighties, Uncle Mort’s was awarded a gold medal and blue ribbon in the breakfast division, out of 400 restaurants nationwide, by the Pointe in Tyme Culinary Hall of Fame in Phoenix, Arizona.The restaurant was designed and built in the style of an old rustic plantation home, with a well on one side and a log barn next door. Morton, a former carpenter from Cold Springs, did most of the work himself. On August 1, 2008, the iconic building was destroyed by fire. It was never rebuilt and after 36 years, the iconic Uncle Mort’s Restaurant permanently closed its doors . 78
30 under 30 – Jeremy Thomas
September 14, 2026
9 Responses
I was about 10 when we ate there. I remember a big noises coming from the front door. We turn to see the Harlem Globetrotters walking in.. For me that was so cool. From then on when mom would ask? Where you want to eat. That place where the big tall men came too….
This place was beautiful, rustic and I miss it so much. Brings back good memories
Miss it…
I ate breakfast many times there with my cousin who loved uncle mort’s breakfast about 12:00 pm. He died not long after it burnt with a brain tumor at the age 12.
Love their red eye gravy. Have never found any that can replace it! Wish I had their exact recipe!
My family and I would stop there every trip from Birmingham to Phil Campbell. It was always the best food, best service, and best atmosphere. I shouldn’t admit it but I even carved my initials into the paper towel holder when I was in my teens. I certainly was not the only one though. I would give anything to be able to take my children there now so they could make the same memories I have of the place. Nothing like anywhere!! Many precious memories with my family were made sitting right by that fireplace!!!
Mort & Jean, my aunt & uncle loved this place. They worked so hard to keep the place real. We had several family reunions in the dining room. So many memories. The apartment above the restaurant was wonderful. I miss the fresh pork skins they cooked for family.
My sister cooked most all the food that was served there. She passed away with cancer some years back.
I loved going to Uncle Mort’s on an early Sunday morning before venturing off to Mountaintop Flea Market with my grandma and aunt. Those are some of the best memories of my childhood.