Our most frequent question asked at the restaurant is "Where did Mama Penn's get its name?"  Mama Penn's was started by Jimmy and Mildred Penn in 1970 in a small building in the Pruitt Shopping Center.  Mama Penn's was bought out by the Rudy Davis Family in 1973.  Mr Davis decided to keep the name Mama Penn's.  In 1976, Mama Penn's moved to the old El Dorado Steak House building in the Pruitt Shopping Center.  After 28 years in the same location, Mama Penn's had become an Anderson tradition. To better serve our loyal customers and Anderson's growing demand for "Real Southern Cooking," Mama Penn's moved to its current location. 

 

In January of 2022 Daniel Rutledge was brought in as the General Manager. With experience in the industry since 2001 and an appreciation for expanding the already great culture at Mama Penn’s, he was brought in to eventually take over the business. In July of 2025 Daniel partnered with his brother Paul Rutledge to purchase Mama Penn’s. “I am incredibly grateful to the Jimmy Davis family for trusting in me to carry on this legacy” --Daniel Rutledge--

 

With a Christ centered approach, the Rutledge family is committed to carrying on the legacy that is Mama Penn’s here at Anderson's Home of Real Southern Cooking.  We have a team of great employees and managers that share that commitment. We all take pride in continuing the tradition of the finest quality food, highest customer service and best dollar value that has made Mama Penn's the place to eat in Anderson, South Carolina for over 50 years.

 

If, for whatever reason, we ever fail to meet your expectations, just ask for Daniel.