Jando S.
Yelp
The Vietnamese community in Houston is so significant that there are multiple places that serve nuoc mia, a sugar cane drink usually served over ice. One of the most popular destinations is Mama Mia, who saw an opportunity and ran with it. Through many visits, it has become a go-to destination for whenever I'm Bellaire Asiatown.
I appreciate that this location is bright, clean and inviting enough to have a local crowd here at all hours. There's parking a plenty, clean bathrooms, and a simple menu consisting of multiple combinations of sugarcane juice and different mochi waffle combinations. The drinks don't come cheap, as many of them are in the $7 range, but they're all satisfying and a quality beverage to quell the Houston heat.
Additionally, I appreciate the staff. They've rarely steered me wrong and have been giving off the family-operated vibes as long as I've come here. Their extraction of the sugar cane takes a bit of time, since everything is made from scratch. Almost all flavors I've had from kumquat to coconut have been refreshing, but I have a particular love for their pennywort and salted lime (chanh muoi) sugar cane drink.
Their most expensive drink ($8 for small, $9 for large) is the Mama Mia Special, which includes all the fruits. It's hefty and requires a spoon to get all the fruit bits out. It's a bit of a meal and fun for others who enjoy the scoop and sip experience, but I'm one to stick to something simple. The regular nuoc mia is basic, but still ends up being my overall favorite for its simplicity and sweet notes.
Whether one is new to the the sugarcane experience or a seasoned vet with the nuoc mia life, Mama Mia is definitely worth a visit and the subsequent sugar rush. Since my first experience, they've already expanded to West U and San Antonio as well as the OC (#1), so I expect to see big things from their brand in the near future.
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(#1) Franchise mode activated.