Grits. Biscuits. Fried chicken. It doesn’t get more Southern than that. And when it comes to the perfect condiment to serve alongside these regional favorites, it doesn’t get more Southern than tomato gravy. 

But while some people call tomatoes a fruit, and others call them a vegetable, Joey and Jamie Brown of Atmore, Alabama, call them a blessing. They’re the main ingredient—along with real bacon (Mmmmm, bacon)—in their recently launched product, Mr Brown’s Tomato Gravy. 

“Sometimes from nowhere God sends you an unexpected blessing,” says Joey. In their case, they were blessed with Joey’s recipe which they wanted to share with others. And share they have. In just over a year, their frozen tomato gravy brand has expanded from a local endeavor to a product retailed in 150 locations and backed by two major distribution companies. 

Tomato gravy dates to around the time of the Great Depression when tomatoes were plentiful and money was short. The overripe tomatoes were used to make tomato gravy before crops became spoiled and wasted. Typically made with a base of tomatoes and aromatics like onions and garlic cooked in a roux then flavored with sugar or honey, tomato gravy boasts a tangy, slightly sweet flavor profile. And everybody knows their family recipe is the best, right? 

"Ours is an original recipe with a slight smokey bacon flavor that brings back memories of grandma's cooking," explains Jamie. It’s also the first and only frozen tomato gravy produced commercially using Mr. Brown's recipe. Comforting and nostalgic, its culinary simplicity enhances a wide variety of dishes, making it a beloved component of Southern cuisine.

Thanks to the Browns, we can now celebrate this unique flavor of the South, one savory spoonful at a time, without even messing up our kitchens. And for those who haven’t had the pleasure, well, bless your hearts. Grab some today at Piggly Wiggly and other local freezer sections to see what your favorite Southern foods have been missing.