By Roger Jimenez, Interning Correspondent for The Apopka Voice
Walk through the doors of Just Like Momma's Soul Food, and you'll likely be greeted by a friendly young man with a wide smile, ready to seat you and take your order. His name is Michael, and if you stay a while, you'll learn that he's been there since day one. That's no coincidence. Michael is the son of Valerie Sparkman, the restaurant's head chef and proud owner.
"We've only been open for about a year, but I've been working with my mama for years, even before this," Michael said.
Since opening in July 2024, Just Like Momma's has quickly become a neighborhood favorite, thanks to the warmth and flavor Sparkman and her family bring to the kitchen. Raised around soul food her whole life, it was only natural for her to bring her passion to Apopka, a place she has called home since she was a little girl. Sparkman's passion for soul food runs deep, rooted in childhood memories, family recipes, and years of hard work.
"I was born in Orlando and I grew up in Apopka," she said. "We were back and forth between Apopka and Belle Glade back then, so I lived there my whole life. I bought my first house in 2008 in Eustis, but I decided to open a restaurant in my hometown."
Sparkman's journey began nearly two decades ago when she started cooking meals from her home in 2005. The hobby grew into a food truck in 2020 and, eventually, after years of dreaming and planning, a brick-and-mortar restaurant.
The menu at Momma's features comfort classics alongside signature soul food. Visitors can enjoy a variety of dishes, including burgers and sliders, as well as hearty soups and salads. But the real star of the show? Soul food steeped in tradition, such as fried corn on the cob, collard green egg rolls, mac and cheese, wings, and, of course, their famous oxtail.
"This food, it's what I grew up on," said Sparkman. "When I was young, I was the second oldest of my siblings, so I always had to cook for the family. And I know that food, especially soul food, brings comfort. I just think that everyone should have what I offer and taste the love."
Outside the kitchen, Sparkman wears many titles: she's a teacher, a mother, a wife, and an active voice in the Apopka community. She's also helping organize this year's Juneteenth celebration, where her commitment to culture and community stretches beyond her hot meals.
"I just like to help," she said. "I love helping people and being involved without having to yell. I don't want to yell—I want to make a difference in a calm, peaceful way, kind of like Martin Luther King."
When asked what her favorite dish is, Sparkman didn't hesitate, and she feels most of her regulars would agree.
"My favorite dish is oxtail. And everyone's favorite dish is oxtail. That's why they call us oxtail headquarters," she said with a smile. "But for me, my brother gave me that name and I'm holding on to it."
Just Like Momma's will celebrate their first anniversary this July. They are located at 44 East 5th Street, next to the Apopka Community Center.
