Big Sarg’s Home Cookin’ Slow-cooked oxtail and rice with macaroni and cheese and collard greens ($15.49) is a popular platter.[/caption]

It is apparent from the camouflage aprons and caps worn by the employees that the owner of Big Sarg’s Home Cookin’ is proud of his military background, but his slow-cooked dishes are inspired by the flavors of old-fashioned meals from home.

“We take the time to cook it like they did back in the day,” owner Isaac Alexis III said. “It’s the food Grandma used to cook.”

Isaac is the “Big Sarg” in the restaurant’s name. He served in the U.S. Army from 1990-2010 and retired as a master sergeant.

Isaac served three tours of duty in Iraq and moved home to Houston to work at GE Oil & Gas before he launched the restaurant with his wife, Darla, in mid-2014.

Darla said growing up in a large family gave her a love for the tastes and smells of home-cooked meals.

“You used to smell the seasonings when you would wake up in the morning,” she said. “You could smell the gumbo cooking.”

Proper seasoning, a long cooking time and fresh ingredients are the cornerstone of her cooking, Darla said.

Collard greens are cooked at least four hours with vinegar and other seasonings. The couple also prepares a slow-cooked gravy.

“We babysit it,” she said.

Customers can order entrees such as oxtail, pork chops, baked chicken or meatloaf. Fried fish and wings are also available with french fries or rice.

The restaurant’s gumbo is offered every Friday and usually sells out by 2 p.m., Isaac said. The recipe includes crab, shrimp, sausage and chicken thighs. The couple decided to leave out okra, which is included in some gumbo recipes, after getting feedback from customers.

Big Sarg’s Home Cookin’ The restaurant prepares meatloaf with a brown gravy, pictured with yams and cabbage ($10.99).[/caption]

The couple said building a strong sense of community is important to them as well as offering a peaceful, welcome atmosphere for diners.

Isaac has held several breakfasts for the homeless and given several homeless individuals employment at the restaurant.

“People love the hospitality here,” Isaac said. “And with the good food, you’ve got to come back.”

Big Sarg’s Home Cookin’

10750 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston. 832-617-8043. www.bigsargshomecooking.com Hours:Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.- 8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Editor's note: Big Sarg's Home Cookin' moved to a new location in May 2018, and the address and phone number in the story have been adjusted accordingly.