Big Mama is back, and Big Mama's House of Soul restaurant in the Strip District is better than ever.

Owner Brenda Franklin returned Sunday from a 10-day trip to New Orleans with her son, Vamar. The trip was paid for by the Ruth's Chris steakhouse chain, which has been mentoring the Franklins as part of a series on the CBS "Early Show" that ran in March. The show recorded Monday as the Franklins re-entered the eatery, which Ruth's Chris had remodeled while she was training at the company's New Orleans restaurant.

The new layout includes a counter with stools and a gleaming new kitchen.