Mama's Bakery & Deli

First time here after hearing about it on a YouTube video. I wanted to try a good amount of their menu, so we ordered the hummus, falafel, meat and spinach pie and the ultra manaeesh. Everything was so tasty and this was a bunch of food! The star i think was the manaeesh. Their flatbread with thyme seasoning, tomatoes, mint and lebni (a yogurt cream cheese). Next time I'll opt for adding chicken to it! They are moving to the otherside of the block, for a bigger location!

“I’ve been coming here for years, and it’s still just as good as I remember.” Love their vegetarian meals.

Love Mama’s I’ve been coming here for 20 years I now live about 1 hour 15 minutes away and it’s worth the drive. It’s just so delicious and fresh every time. I did notice the rice is now yellow and it used to be white but I’m not complaining it’s just as delicious. Recommend the beef and chicken shawarma it is absolutely finger licking delicious!

The food is delicious. Shout out the Doñas in the back cooking these dishes. I usually get the Chicken shwarma with no pickles or tahini but chise the meat plate today. Their chicken is always so flavorful and moist. The stuffed grape leaves were hefty and the baklava was exquisite. 👌

The new digs look like they will be great. Our fence visit left us wanting the food we used to get many years ago. Don't me wrong, the food is still great but before the dough used to be stretched thinner and that makes a huge difference when cooked on the Saj.

Delicious. I got the combo plate and the portion is huge. The meat is savory and seasoned well and it's tinder. Very good

Best beef shwarma ive ever had! Thank you for also offering great value for price and quantity. Unfortunately worst hummus and garlic sauce. Also they charge $2 for 1 really small sauces cup. I thought it was going to be double the size. I think their stuffed grapes are overpriced. I think it was 6 pieces for almost $10. They need more of everything in their hummus Tahini olive oil garlic and lemon juice a bit dry and not a whole lot of flavor. Same thing with garlic paste. Tasted watered down. Zanqou chicken in Los Angeles has better chicken shwarma and hummus and garlic paste but here they have way better beef shwarma. Instead of offering 2 pita breads maybe just 1 and throw in a garlic sauce. Still appreciate some of the price points. They gyro is less than $10

Mama's Bakery and Michoz are the local Lebanese competitors. Depending on my taste buds determines who is the best. I can say this, Mama's is always good and never misses the mark. Variety of choices for vegan, dairy-free, carnivores and plain eating folk. I can go on about each dish but the chicken schwarma is a Top 3. Add extra pickles and easy feta. A well-presented wrap layered with grilled chicken, green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, tahini etc. No skimping on any ingredient. Prices are comparable to a sit down restaurant without gratuity. Cash and cards accepted. Dine-in or to-go and catering services available. Wait-tinr during lunch could be up to 20-30 minutes. Other times 10-15 minutes. Street parking can get hairy but there is special parking for bicycles. Most visitors from different cultures favor this eatery.

It's a modest but clean and friendly little place where you walk up to a counter, place your order and pay your moola. Two large LCD screens display food and beverage offerings. I ordered a Fatoush salad. My friend ordered Tabouli, Baklava, mint tea, Baba Ganoush and a slice of spinach pie. She ordered enough to eat lunch the next day! We paid for our orders and seated ourselves at a small outdoor dining area to await a summons from the side service window giving a view of the kitchen. In the cooking area a lone woman toiled away over a large hot stove surrounded by shelves of ingredients, spices and a large refrigerator. After 10 minutes the woman called out our orders for pickup. We took our trays laden with culinary delights back to our table. A fan kept the air moving with a comfortable breeze. Fortunately, Mama's is located on a seldom used side street, so there wasn't much traffic noise. The food and service are wonderful. I highly recommend Mama's Bakery & Deli.

Everything tastes homemade and fresh. This is the place to come and try some flavors you've never had.

Very delicious food made-to-order. Hangry today, I ordered the pie made with meat, spinach and cheese. The item was highly recommended by my neighbor, and she's right! A handmade dough envelopes a generous portion of gooey mild cheese, spinach and spiced ground beef. The portion is quite large so I tossed a green salad and munched 1/2, alternating the pickled veggies. I would order this again if very hungry like today! My go-to here at Mama's is the vegetarian plate. For dietary reasons, I can't eat the baba ghanouj, and the proprietor substitutes the item for another. The hummus is creamy and tasty. The falafel is fried crispy, and when broken open, the aroma of spiced, cracked wheat escapes. The dolma, grape leaves stuffed with rice and seasonings are a treat! I like to add a squeeze of lemon and a yogurt dip. The tabouli is fresh goodness. The warm pita bread completely rounds out the vegetarian plate. For a small, busy cafe, the service is attentive and quick. Outdoor patio seating, pick-up and delivery only. No off-street parking. There are free, street parking spots within a block or two.

Longtime customer of Mama's Bakery. Delicious food made to order with great menu options. Chicken Shawarma plate or wrap and the cheese pie are a must try! Plenty of outdoor seating. I recommend calling in your order if you plan on picking up.

This literal mom and pop is off the beaten path. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. Healthy too! Large portions. There was a sign out front that said they would be moving soon. I'm sure wherever they are going will be great, but this location was very charming. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. I look forward to returning soon.

Please consider doing better. The food quality here has always been a disappointment. I used to eat here on my lunch break because a co-worker would choose it as a location. It's just gross. I ordered a Gyro Wrap with fries and a side salad. I've had better quality food from food trucks. Low quality meat wrap drenched in sauce that was mayonnaise based not fresh Taziki sauce. Old Tomatoes. Just bad. Please Mamas. Go eat at a Kabob shop or a Zankhao Chicken in LA and realize that freshness is KEY to good lebonese/Mediterranean food. The nice Hispanic ladies that work here were great and I don't fault them at all. The fries were hot, but undercooked. The side salad was limp and basically trash. Never again Mamas. I mean it this time.

An amazing little find tucked away off the main drag on El Cajon Blvd. The food is excellent and surprisingly they make the best tasting healthy Shwarma wrap i've ever tasted. Their labneh was delicious too and the Manakeesh is also really tasty. Everything is wrapped up nicely in fresh baked flatbread that's absolutely delicious. There's alot there that's familiar if you're a fan of middle eastern food, and even more that's not and worth exploring. And above all else the price is great for the food you're getting. It's just a great little mom and pop store that's small and cheerful with good people working there. (but might not be little for too long as they're preparing to move). Definitely worth a visit.

Mamma's is just awesome. They have been the local Lebanese favorite around here for years - even through the pandemic. Great outdoor seating - so bring your furry friends. Food is amazing!! I don't know how they do it, but chunks of chicken with a slightly crispy outside, and it just falls apart into strands as soon as you touch it. Falafel is a must and sandwich wraps the size of a fat baby's arm. The pitas are huge and look homemade? Salads are just loaded. And extremely reasonable considering the area. Extremely friendly staff (never a bad suggestion!) and fountain craft soda machine with some 'unique' flavors.

Ordered via DD and Mama's didn't disappoint! Large portions of perfectly prepared Mediterranean dishes. By large portions I mean huge. Im not sure if we caught the kitchen as they were closing but dang, they let us have it! Mama knows how to treat her boys right! We shared Grape Leaves, Lebanese Salad, Falafel, Meat Combo which included beef shawarma and kafta. Plus garlic paste, tahini and Half and Half which is half hummus and baba ganoush. We feasted and feasted until we could feast no more. Everything we ordered was fresh, super tasty and abundant. Im still thinking about Mama's kafta, wrapped in a warm pillow pita, slathered with garlic sauce and a few drops of hot sauce. The perfect bite. Im looking forward to a time where we can visit Mama's and enjoy their service and hospitality. Even with delivery we felt like welcomed guests. "There are five elements: earth, air, fire, water and garlic."-Louis Diat

NGNO YouTube channel mentioned this place. I stopped by with my wife and I ordered one zaatar bread and one zaatar and cheese bread. Service was prompt however I was disappointed by the fact that the zaatar was so scarce in my bread. See the pictures. My wife did not like her cheese and zaatar even though I did like the cheese in it . The bread was average. Seating is outside and very basic. It matches the description hole in the wall. I visited in the summer and expect to have flies around you. My wife and I think Forn Saj few miles down the street was cheaper, bigger, cleaner and tastier zaatar and the cheese was excellent there. Oh And the seating was inside with no flies. Location is prime, and plenty of street parking.

Pros: Very friendly staff, nice neighborhood with plenty to walk around and check out. Nice ambiance and seating. Cons: They charge you more than what the menu prices say. We got the chick and beef shawarmas. The menu listed both at (IIRC $15-16) and we were charged $18. I'd be willing to overlook this if the food was great, but honestly both dishes were pretty dry and bland. $18 is quite a lot for mediocre food, although the serving sizes were generous. I've had far better greek/Lebanese food in SD for cheaper. Generally wouldn't recommend although I might return and try a different dish.

Mama's Bakery & Deli in San Diego is a culinary treasure, offering an exceptional Mediterranean dining experience that stands out in both flavor and value. This delightful hole-in-the-wall spot, with its outdoor seating and casual, sun-soaked ambiance, is perfect for enjoying a leisurely meal in the heart of the city. The service here is excellent. The counter-serve setup establishes a casual, friendly atmosphere right out the gate. While I secured a table in the sunshine, my girlfriend placed our order, engaging in pleasant chit-chat with the amiable staff. This personal touch, combined with the deli's inviting setting, made our dining experience all the more enjoyable. Food-wise, Mama's Bakery & Deli is a standout. The wraps, each priced around a very fair $12, are not only delightful but also offer incredible value for money, especially considering the area. We were particularly impressed by the zatar wrap, which was is a stand-out rich in flavor. The wraps are serve with an accompanying tart, spicy sauce, which provides a perfect counterpoint to the earthy tones of the bread, meats, and sauces. That same earthiness is a distinctive aspect of Mama's cuisine, giving it a unique identity even among other Mediterranean offerings. The spice profile is familiar, but with the food leaning more towards those earthy notes, it creates a unique and satisfying flavor. Even their signature bread had this remarkable earthy quality -- not the usual whole-grain "dirt" flavor, but something more nuanced and appealing. Returning to Mama's Bakery & Deli was a nostalgic trip for my girlfriend, who cherished this place before moving away from San Diego. Our repeat visits during a short, few-day vacation, were a testament to the deli's enduring appeal and consistent quality. In conclusion, Mama's Bakery & Deli is a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic, earthy Mediterranean flavors in San Diego. With its excellent service, relaxed ambiance, and flavorful food, it earns a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars from me.

I picked up Mama's Bakery & Deli for dinner and it did not disappoint. Portion here are large and the food is fresh. They have a small ordering window and an area to eat at outside. We got two chicken shwarma plates and the lebni and zaatar appetizer. I did an online order and my food was ready in about 20 minutes. The portions here are pretty big and I really liked how each plate came with a salad hummus, rice, and the protein. The chicken was very juicy and paired well with the rice. The bread for the appetizer we got was very fresh and soft! I really liked the lebni that was served and would get both of these dishes again. The shop itself is small and parking can be limited. It's definitely a hole in the wall and reasonably priced.

Still as awesome as ever...fresh, high quality ingredients, and delicious!!! Lawd, I wish they'd open a place here in LA!!! All hail the sajj!!! Thanks Mama's

Friendly folk at the counter took our order, chatted sweetly about all things Lebanese Food and the homeland of Dearborn, MI. Garlic sauce is potato based, a bit rare as most opt for olive oil and elephant garlic only. Tasty. Nice. Has a good beat. Nice change regardless. Chicken Shawarma and Lebanese Salad two drinks and a Side of pickled vegetables

Love the beef schwarma plate, the marination on it is heavenly with each bite. The order takers welcome you and the open air seating makes for an enjoyable setting while you enjoy your food

Their pita bread, hummus, and basmati rice is really yummy. Chicken shawarma a bit salty for my taste but overall a solid hole in the wall for...as the name suggests mama's Mediterranean cooking!

One of my favorite San Diego secret savory food spots. Authentic, fresh and always delivers goodness and nutrients to my body and soul. From the dolmas, hands down best, to the manaeesh creamy herb delight or chicken shwarma, eggplant all seasoned and made to perfection. Falafels absolute supreme, I get extra sauce. This spot will not disappoint. It's quaint outdoor type seating, service is to the point, make your own ambience.

Feels bad to say but this place is not good. I had the beef and chicken shawarma plate and the chicken and beef were lackluster and very dry. The pita bread they gave was also dry and thin like what you would get from a regular grocery store. The rice was pretty good and I did like the hummus. I also tried the falafel which was also very dry and flavorless. I paid almost $20 and did not even come close to finishing it or wanting to.

Been coming to Mama's for over 10 years and this spot never misses. Like a true hole in the wall, gem of a place. Really good Lebanese food with meat, vegetarian, and vegan options. This place offers kids plates with chicken and rice or beef and rice perfect options for those being introduced to middle eastern flavors. The service is quick and friendly.

Stopped here for lunch today for some traditional Lebanese food. We enjoyed the chicken shawarma wrap as well as the Lebanese salad. We had grape leaves for our side. I enjoyed the freshness of the veggies and the spices were nice on the chicken. You order at the counter and there is a open air like seating area on the side.

Best food ever!! I've been coming here for over 15 years. The kafta is delicious along with the baba ganoush. If you are reading this to see if you want to try it, you do!!

I was meeting a friend there, and it was very limited on available parking. Lot of construction going on across the street. I walked over to wait for my friend. I noticed that the door was extremely dirty. Greasy dark dirt all over the door handles and glass covered in hand marks. No A sign in the window to show that it is up to food standards. My friend recommended this place and said that the food is amazing. But we decided to go somewhere else instead. I don't know, I just couldn't be that brave.

I used to come here for falafel many years ago and decided to check this place out again for lunch. Parking was a little rough around lunch time but I found a meter spot across the street. There were only 2 groups ahead of us but the wait to get our food was over 20 minutes. I ordered the beef and chicken shawarma plate which came with a side of pita bread. The food looked great and the portion was enough for 2 people. It was around $15 but still a good value if you share. The meat was dry but I would come back to try other items off their menu.

I meant to write this review, sooner, when I first stumbled onto this place. You could drive right by and not notice it. The food is quite good, they make all of the breads/wraps on site. I've had the beef shawarma, the garlic chicken wrap, various versions of the manaeesh, the fatoush salad. All of the seasoning was fantastic and seemed authentic, to me, based on what I have been exposed to in Lebanese cuisine. The portions are generous, the tahini dressing is fantastic. I find I need an extra serving of the tahini, but I like my foods dressed well. Definitely worth checking out.

Doesn't took like much but the food was amazing. Large portions. Had the eggplant wrap full of flavor. Messy so get napkins if you get the wrap

Came here only for baklava and they were great! We tried 3 different kinds, the walnut, pistachio, and the smaller skinny ones. Personally, the walnut baklava was a hit, it was the perfect amount of sweet! Only giving 4 stars though because it's not as delicate and flaky as I would like, a small touch of staleness almost. The smaller skinny ones were 2nd to the walnuts, and the pistachio ones were alright too. Definitely coming back for their order entree items!

Mediocre at best. To be fair we only ordered one dish. Chicken and beef plate w rice & salad. Not bad or anything. Just plain blah. Meat dry. Bread quality terrible. Sorry just wouldn't go back. So many other Mediterranean places do a much better job. I guess if u do don't know the difference it doesn't matter-but I do.

My favorite restaurant in San Diego. As a vegetarian, I like the Saj bread with sumac spice and spinach. I also like to buy the saj bread by itself to take home with a side of tahini to make a wrap. The bread is really unique and I prefer it over pita bread because it is softer. The baklava is good, too. I like the original pistachio one most. I miss the honey cakes, which I think are seasonal. If you see that dessert, buy two.

We love their spinach pie. It's teeny tiny but they've added a few tables. To-go orders take a bit so order ahead, it's worth the wait. Portions can be shared.

This place is just 5 mins walk from my house. It was my first time to try this spot and I got their beef shawarma plate and baklava for take out. The service was quick and the serving was very generous however I wasn't very impressed with the food. When I got home the food was cold, and the meat was more sour than savory while the salad dressing was bland.

Generous portions and authentic food. A good value! They are moving to another location. I would definitely eat there again.

Almost every time I've come here, it has been amazing! Very flavorful and fresh tasting. This last time, however, the meat was a bit dry on the Beef Shawarma plate and there wasn't as much rice as normal. The Chicken, Cheese and Pesto Pie was interesting, but I wish there was a bit more pesto flavor to it. The staff is also always really friendly and they're always patient with answering any questions you have.

I agree with fellow yelper Matt: THE QUALITY HAS GONE DOWN! I haven't visited this place in 3 years or so and this is not the same food as before. The chicken sharwarma was not seasoned like it should be and it was dry. The beef shawarma was dry and was more like meat you use for stew. I asked for garlic sauce (2 sauces on the side for $1 each) and they didn't include it in our order. Even when I ordered I asked if they have a chicken kabob plate and they told me the chicken shawarma is the kabob plate. Chicken kabob is not the same thing as chicken sharwarma. WE WILL NOT BE Returning. This is not authentic and the custo service was poor-we paid for garlic sauce that we didn't get. They were not busy. We were the only ones there. No excuses.

Service was excellent. Food was delicious. Lovely hole in the wall. I would definitely return to this place if im in the area.

Don't be deceived by the appearance and size of this Lebanese deli, their food is delicious and tastes so authentic! For Covid precautions, they offer carry out orders which are ready within 10 minutes. Their menu has a variety of options to appease the vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters with all items tasting extremely fresh and well seasoned. They also serve a middle eastern flatbread, Maneesh which I've never before! My favorite item to order from here is their Falafel wrap that is filled with plenty of hummus and sauces, making each and every bite so enjoyable. Their falafels taste much better than chain mediterranean restaurants by their soft texture. I believe it so much more authentic and am so glad to have found a place that serves delicious falafel wraps. Their Maneesh wrap was filled with olives and other seasonings, but did not live up to expectations. When it was hot, it was soft and delicious to eat with hummus. But when cold, it quickly turned hard and crunchy. I do not believe I will order this again but will be coming back for their delicious wraps. I truly feel that supporting local businesses like Mama's is important during the pandemic.

Dry food high prices. It use to be soo good. Not sure what happened. With so many other options out there I would shop around

I'm baffled and confused about customer Service! I mean how hard is it to follow a Simple request like "Extra Tahini Sauce". The man that took my Falafel Wrap order, said No problem! When my sandwich was called, I asked the little lady for Extra Tahini Sauce and she maintained that she put extra in the wrap.! When I sat down to eat, I didn't see or taste extra Tahini Sauce so I went back to the window and calmly asked for extra tahini Sauce...that lady seemed annoyed (hot Flashes annoyed) so surprisingly, she squirted a lot of Tahini Sauce right on my sandwich and this tricked a Fighting stance from me. I wanted too throw my sandwich at her and have a temper tantrum but I remained calm because I drove from Escondido for this meal and said, Could you put the Tahini Sauce in a cup and she repeated my requests and complied. I paid Top Dollar, 14 dollars for a sandwich and nice Ginger Beer so Why did this have to almost come blows...Why! I don't even think it's because I'm a Black Man, I think they can treat Everybody and anybody like Poop, because they have had great food for years! They have to Stop taking Customers for granted. It'll be 6 months to a Year before I return...I'll miss your Falafel...but I can't accept Disrespect!

I'm just going to start off by saying I'm biased because I LOVE Med food! But also I've had some bland Med food at the chain restaurants, and I appreciate a place like this that sprinkles on some extra of all those wonderful spices that make Med food so delicious. They're about to move to a new space, but this place has a great vibe with lots of outdoor seating. We grabbed the Garlic Chicken Wrap, filled with chicken breast, fresh garlic paste, lettuce, parsley and pickles. So yummy, with a nice kick of garlic without being overpowering (I mean, you need to love garlic if you're going to order this, and you won't be disappointed if you do). We also grabbed a Beef Shawarma Plate with steak chunks, basmati rice, hummus, salad and fresh baked pita. It was stacked with plenty of steak and the flavors were heavenly. Check out our Reel on San Diego Foodgasm for this and other great finds!

Absolute amazing. This is best Lebanese food in San Diego when it comes to quality, service, location and price. Absolutely delicious , fresh and affordable. My fav are the shawarma wrap and chicken salad!

Oh, where do I begin. For one, there is no place to park. I had my 14 year old run in and pick up the order. We ordered a coke with the meal and when she went to grab it, they yelled at her. This caused her to become upset. The food was dry and tasteless and over priced. The hummus was bland. Costco hummus is 10x better than this place. There are better places to go.

They're super nice, the wraps are huge and delicious and the bread is frickin amazing Everything is clearly freshly made! Can't wait to come back often!

Amazing place with amazing food! Great prices, derives is always on par and has a large menu. I recommend the chicken shawarma and baklawa! Tons of outdoor seating with shade and also a quick place to order pick up from.

During a walk in the the North Park neighborhood, I saw a crowd of people waiting for their to-go orders at Mama's close to dinner time. A crowd signals delicious food and it definitely peaked my interest. I ordered a Garlic Chicken Wrap. It was prepared in less than 15 minute and came out nice and hot. The pictures do not do the wrap justice. The wrap was very fresh and they did not skimp on garlic with the chicken. I enjoyed the overall flavors going on with the wrap. If you're looking for something healthy and fresh in the neighborhood, give Mama's a try! They're following all Covid protocols and the perfect take out option.

Why is this place so good? I remember coming here as a tween with my dad. I've taken my daughter here her whole life. Mama's is a staple- and a healthy one at that. The falafel, hummus, eggplant, and COFFEE are among my go-to orders. This place is special special.

Love this place...I always get the chicken and cheese shawarma. Housemade bread, marinated chicken...love the pickle! So good!

They got my order wrong which I was understanding about however they took a very long time and the quality of the food was not Worth the wait. The chicken and wrap were burnt making it inedible. The food quality is not consistent.

Love this place for authentic Middle Eastern food. The prices are great, food is delicious, and drinks are wonderful! The portions are massive and the staff are so nice - definitely a place I'm happy to support. I particularly loved the baba ghanouj, chicken shawarma, coffee, and tea. Highly recommend!

I went around 10am one weekday morning, I was the only person there. Got a delicious chicken shawarma wrap that had hummus and pickles in it, very good.