Lambert’s Family Steak House and Buffet is not only one of the newest places to take the family out for a home-cooked meal, it is also owned and operated by a local family, and they hope that shows through in everything they do.

Owner Judy Lambert, affectionately referred to as “Granny” by staff members – a nickname to some and the actual grandmother for others – says she and her family have been in the restaurant business for years.

“I started Wrangler’s Steakhouse here about five years ago,” Lambert said. “We also ran Comeback Cafe.”

Lambert said her family decided to get back into the business in order to give the Atmore area good, home-cooked food and friendly service.

“We mostly serve country food here,” she said. “We serve fresh vegetables, which you’d be surprised how many people didn’t grow up eating fresh veggies and don’t realize just how good they are.”

And Lambert said that freshness is an important part of all of the food her restaurant serves.

“I believe the fresher it is, the better it is,” she said.

Lambert said that notion that fresh food and friendly service makes the difference is important to all her staff/family members.

“I do most of the cooking or I supervise it,” she said.

Lambert said other family members working in Atmore’s newest eatery include her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

“The best thing about this restaurant is doing it with family,” she said.

And the family doesn’t just specialize in the home-cooked food served daily on their buffet. Lambert said breakfast is also served daily, beginning at 6 a.m. and Friday and Saturday nights include seafood and barbeque. Beginning Thursday, Aug. 1, Lambert said a nighttime buffet will also become part of their food service.

Currently, Lambert’s also offers free meals for pastors on Sundays and features an ice cream parlor.

“I’ve been doing this nearly 30 years and we’ve always had it so that preachers eat free on Sunday,” Lambert said.

Lambert’s is open Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays until 9 a.m. and Sundays until 4 p.m. The restaurant is located on Alabama Highway 21 just north of Woods Road.