Tommiejo Dixon opened Ma Dixon’s in 1943, which is now a fixture of Boston’s food scene. Originally called Ma Dixon’s Diner, Tommiejo began this shop with the support of her husband, Lewis Dixon. Known for southern-style cuisine, it’s now managed by her great-nephew and niece, Pierce and Joanne Waltower. Initially located at Hammond Street & Shawmut Avenue, Dixon and her sisters, Janie and Ruth, provided a welcoming space for the Black community to hang out after work. After Dixon’s death in 1979, Janie Ford and Ruth Waltower took over. Since 1968, the restaurant has operated out of Grove Hall, serving the community with delicious meals.
