Mama's On Washington Square

Brunch restaurant · North Beach

Mama's On Washington Square

Brunch restaurant · North Beach

5

1701 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133

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Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by Julia Chen
Mama's On Washington Square by Julia Chen
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null
Mama's On Washington Square by null

Highlights

Hearty breakfast & light fare, homey space, great jam, Monte Cristo  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

1701 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133 Get directions

mamas-sf.com
@mamasofsf

$20–30 · Menu

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1701 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133 Get directions

+1 415 362 6421
mamas-sf.com
@mamasofsf

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 30, 2025

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@infatuation

14 Places To Take Tourists In SF That Won’t Make You Hate Yourself - San Francisco - The Infatuation

"Posing for photos in front of Coit Tower takes energy, so hordes of tourists descend on the pastry-and-egg wonderland that is Mama’s On Washington Square. The solid homestyle breakfast and lunch staples coming out of this North Beach spot overlooking, you guessed it, Washington Square, are comforting with a capital C, as is the homey space—the walls are sun yellow, the awning out front is covered with hearts, and “I Love North Beach” prints hang overhead. Just order at the counter, find a seat, and let the eggy french toast, hearty omelettes, and free coffee refills come to you." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/guides/tourist-restaurants-that-are-actually-good-sf
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@infatuation

13 Places To Take Tourists In SF That Won’t Make You Hate Yourself

"Posing for photos in front of Coit Tower takes energy, so hordes of tourists descend on the pastry-and-egg wonderland that is Mama’s On Washington Square. The solid homestyle breakfast and lunch staples coming out of this North Beach spot overlooking, you guessed it, Washington Square, are comforting with a capital C, as is the homey space—the walls are sun yellow, the awning out front is covered with hearts, and “I Love North Beach” prints hang overhead. Just order at the counter, find a seat, and let the eggy french toast, hearty omelettes, and free coffee refills come to you. " - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/guides/tourist-restaurants-that-are-actually-good-sf
View Postcard for Mama's On Washington Square
@eater

The Restaurateurs Behind Vault Steakhouse Are Taking Over the Historic Cliff House in San Francisco - Eater SF

"The building is expected to reopen to the public in late 2024." - Lauren Saria

https://sf.eater.com/2023/9/13/23872328/cliff-house-restaurant-san-francisco-hi-neighbor
View Postcard for Mama's On Washington Square
@infatuation

Mama's On Washington Square Review - North Beach - San Francisco - The Infatuation

"Posing for photos in front of Coit Tower takes energy, so hordes of tourists descend on the pastry-and-egg wonderland that is Mama’s On Washington Square. Locals should join them. The solid homestyle breakfast and lunch staples coming out of this North Beach spot overlooking, you guessed it, Washington Square, are comforting with a capital C, as is the homey space—the walls are sun yellow, the awning out front is covered with hearts, and “I Love North Beach” prints hang overhead. Just order at the counter, find a seat, and let the eggy french toast, hearty omelettes, and free coffee refills come to you. " - Julia Chen

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/reviews/mamas-on-washington-square
View Postcard for Mama's On Washington Square
@postcardnews

North Beach’s enduring brunch line forms for French toast samplers, Dungeness crab Benedict, and house-baked goods. A family-run fixture celebrated by travel editors and local press for its history and generous plates.

https://mamas-sf.com/
Best Brunch in San Francisco (2025)
View Postcard for Mama's On Washington Square

Keith Briggs

Google
Stopped by Mama’s as we walked the area (San Francisco Telegraph Hill and Washington Square). We passed by initially due to a line of patrons waiting for seats. On our return, there were a couple tables open so we went in. Appeared to be a local spot, with many customers having conversations with staff. Although not a local, we were welcomed as one, and all gave their inputs and feedback, whether that was best seats available or favorites on the menu. We got seated in a great corner booth. For food, we went with specials off the menu: Seafood benedicts and Trio French Toast (One of each Swedish Cinnamon, Cranberry-orange, banana walnut breads). We also tried the favorite Mama’s smoothie. All orders were delicious! The overall experience was great, staff were friendly and food was excellent! Definitely recommend. Note that the menu shared in photos was from the 1950s and a memory lane item on the walls.

Russell Akred

Google
It's a must have when you visit SF. The community feel to the place allows you to get to meet other diners. We were lucky enough to sit with the owner and chewed the fat with him and his friend. Was expecting a long line and there was only a couple ahead of us.

Chris J

Google
Came in around 11am on a Friday no wait. Service was amazing, the food came out incredibly quickly. Tried the grilled chicken sandwich and 2 eggs with chicken sausage would recommend both. Prices seemed slightly higher than they should be even for SF. Based on the number of people there with luggage would say the word is out on this place and you can expect big wait times on weekends

Anjana Silva

Google
*Day 2* ⚠️️ I wish I had never seen the customer washroom facilities on my second day of the visit. The route to the washroom is through their kitchen and on to an alley. The route is extremely unpleasant and exposes how messy/dirty stuffs behind the beautiful restaurant front. You then seriously start to question the hygiene standards of the entire food making process. As paying customers, I think we are entitled to at least half a decent washroom experience in addition to the food we consume. Therefore, with regret I can only give 2 stars, which is a real shame. I strongly hope they will remedy the washroom experience. *Day 1* Two of us went here for breakfast and had a fabulous time. The staff who welcomed us were very polite and friendly. We ordered some coffee, sausage omelette with sourdough bread, and buttermilk pancakes with seasonal berries for our breakfast everything was really tasty and filling (good portion sizes). They also served us some homemade jam, which was really tasty. Thank you.

Donald Dunn

Google
We stopped by for breakfast around 10:30 am on a Thursday morning. We were lucky to get a table. I ordered a spinach omelet. It was very good. My son got the eggs Benedict and enjoyed it very much. The staff were excellent. I forgot to take a photo of our food. But did see this Waymo outside.

Raina Chatterjee

Google
Had brunch on Saturday, 12:30 pm. Wait was close to 25 mins, but food was quite quick. Chocolate Cinnamon French Toast was nice, Mamas breakfast sandwich was really good!

Beverly Park

Google
My dining experience was underwhelming. After a 30-minute wait, I found the food to be quite bland, and the bagel was noticeably dry, suggesting it wasn't fresh. While the atmosphere was charming and the server was welcoming, the food's quality didn't align with the price point. I wouldn't recommend waiting in line for this experience.

Sanaz Deldar

Google
Lovely restaurant for a brunch! The quality was good, we all enjoyed our food. The servers were super friendly and they took a great care of us. We’ll be back for sure! Just to let you know, there was a line in a Saturday morning, but we waited almost 30 mins only, so plan for it if you are are in a rush.
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Anne C.

Yelp
Been here a few times for their classics, breakfast with eggs or pancakes, but only as I was leaving SF did we discover the legendary Monte Cristo!! Love love love this - might be my favorite breakfast in SF, it's a French toast ham and cheese with a sweet ham and potatoes and oranges on the side. WOW it is amazing, and though their other breakfast menu items are great too, this is truly one of the best breakfast items I've ever had. As usual it's always busy so do try to show up when they open at 8am or there will be a wait! Please go try the Monte cristo it is amazing.
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Anh T.

Yelp
I came here on a weekday morning, and there was space for me and my friends. We ordered before sitting down. While the font size of the menu was large, the menus were all around and facing different ways on the wall, making it a bit difficult to read. I ordered the Lox and Bagel Platter, while my friends ordered the Huevos Rancheros and Monte Cristo. My dish was basically just a Lox Bagel with vegetables scattered around. While I enjoyed my bagel (without capers, as I requested) and appreciated the fresh salmon, I believe that the price was a bit much for what I received. The Monte Cristo had a delicious jam! The restaurant itself has a friendly environment, and we enjoyed talking to our waiter about our experience in the city.
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Jade R.

Yelp
This place is really excellent for breakfast, especially for showing any family or friends you have visiting or if you're visiting the city on vacay! Biggest tip: come early. Be in line before anyone else. It is a tight space and can be fairly Claustrophobic when it's at capacity. Important: The bathroom is not friendly for those that aren't able to walk down stairs. It's in a narrow part of their back restaurant. There is no bad selection on their menu. 1) get something from their bakery. Highly recommend their orange scone or carrot cake 2) share the Monte cristo with your group 3) get a breakfast plate so you can have bread and their house made jam 4) be ready to order. You'll wait outside until they call you in. You'll wait in line to order then they'll seat you. You don't seat yourself. They seat you. Everyone we're here someone makes a stink about where they want to sit. Just take the seat and enjoy the amazing food.
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Michelle H.

Yelp
Date of Visit: 5/18/2025 We visited the famous brunch place Mama's on Washington Square last Sunday. It was a bright and warm Sunday in San Francisco, and due to Bay to Breakers, the city was very energized and full of people. We arrived at around 11:45am and waited for about 40min to place the order. Mimosa $12 Husband got the mimosa. Latte $6.25 I got the regular latte. Washington Square $22.25 My favorite omelet is the Washington Square made with spicy Italian sausage, sautéed bell peppers, tomatoes, and Sonoma pepper jack cheese. On the side there was grilled potato and bread. I chose the white toast but was sold out and they changed to wheat toast instead. Make sure to ask for the homemade jam to pair with the toast which was amazing! Our Famous Monte Cristo $21.95 Husband got the famose Monte Cristo with roasted turkey breast, honey-baked ham, sharp cheddar, and gruyere cheese. The sandwich is cooked on the grill and served with Mama's homemade jam and grilled potatoes on the side.
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Jason X.

Yelp
This is not just a one hit wonder with their Monte Cristo, but gosh darn it if it isn't the best Monte Cristo I've had. I need to try more of the menu though because everything here looks good. Always clean, the line moves at a decent pace, and the staff is helpful and spreads good vibes.
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Pamela L.

Yelp
I stood at the door looking for someone to acknowledge me or tell me to enter. A cooking staff looked at me with a smile and motion me to come in. I had to open the door myself and was bewildered. There was no one to greet me nor tell me how the system works. It was my first time at this restaurant. The restaurant is small and not busy. I happily found an empty table and began to sit until a wait staff hurriedly ran to my table and informed me that I had to order first then find a table afterwards. I thought this was an odd system. What happens if I can't find a table to sit after I ordered? Waiter said I had to sit outside. I don't like eating outdoors especially on a crowded corner. Since outdoor seating was widely available and there were several empty tables inside that I abided and ordered my food. The Cranberry-Orange French toast caught my eye (House-baked bread made with tart cranberries, fresh orange juice, and walnuts) because I thought it was unusual because it was made with orange juice). It's like a loaf cake that is sliced and dipped in egg. I prefer it to be more crisper than soft - expecting it to be similar to a pancake (hard on the outside and fluffy in the middle). My companion ordered the Monte Cristo. The middle should be cooked longer so it wouldn't be soggy. The potatoes are loaded with green onions and it should have been listed on the menu. Since neither of us are onion lovers, we barely touched the potatoes. The ambiance reminds me of sitting in a Paris restaurant soaking in the surroundings and looking at a park. If I had to wait a long time to get into the restaurant, I would have gone elsewhere but since there was no wait and it was the only brunch restaurant in this neighborhood, I thought I would give it a try. I am giving it a 2 stars because of how you have to get to the bathroom. What an experience that is - totally disgusting and intolerable. I am surprise that the Health Inspectors did not write them up for it. I am glad I did not have to go beforehand otherwise I would have walked out and never return.
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Janice M.

Yelp
I always get their monte cristo, it is probably the best I ever had. It goes so well with their homemade jam! 10/10 highly recommend trying this If you come early on a weekday, likely no wait but on the weekend, you will be expecting to wait I would recommend doing take out if you are local and have been wanting to try this place out to avoid the wait so call ahead and order but not sure if they take phone orders on the weekend so I would double check Overall, I would come back for their monte cristo but I am just not a fan of long lines
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Lynn Susan S.

Yelp
Perfect $$$ pancakes ..light & fluffy. Strawberries & banana covering the top. Favorite breakfast place.
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Camilla M.

Yelp
Good place for having brunch during weekday if you want to avoid long line during the weekend. Order first and then you get a seat. The inside is simple but nice.
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Kendra H.

Yelp
Had high expectations for this place but unfortunately, I think it is a tourist trap - given how popular the neighborhood is. The pancake texture was perfect but was way too salty. If it was less, this would've been one of my favorite pancakes in the city. The north beach Benedict came with yolks that were overcooked. It also came with the smallest amount of potatoes possible. The crumb cake was good though and the orange juice was refreshing. The wait at 11:30am on a Saturday was about 30 mins in line to order and to be seated. Then we waited another 40 mins for our food to come out.
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Donovan H.

Yelp
To those of you that have heard of the Ozzy Osbourne song, "Mama I'm Coming Home", it paints a clear picture on this place for numerous reasons. One reason is that I was born and raised in San Francisco and another reason is that my mom is a native San Franciscan. Which takes me to arguably one of the most popular and well-known mom-and-pop breakfast joints in the city. This is none other than "Mama's on Washington Square". This place goes back... way back in time to the early-1950's when they opened their doors. Located in the heart of North Beach and just a block away from St. Peter & Paul Church, this place is situated directly on the corner of Stockton and Filbert St's. Parking can be extremely challenging due to the abundance of restaurants and businesses. My advice is to use rideshare, Muni, walk, or bike. However, my lady and I found parking only a block away. Reason being is that we came here the day after Thanksgiving (on Friday 11/29/2024) at 9:30am when the streets of San Francisco were empty. It felt eerily similar to the pandemic (from early-2020 to early-2022). I will say that the interior of this place is tiny (which on any other morning can lead to long wait times). Based on the size of this place, I am thinking Mama's can only fit about 30 guests at any given time. There was a nice enclosed outdoor area as well as a separate table/chair/umbrella; but with the chilly morning, we wanted to dine inside. Upon entry, we literally walked right up and placed our orders. I can imagine this place can get quite chaotic but our experience was very smooth. Much of the decor has a very quaint old-school feel to it as if you're in a no-frills diner from the 1950's/60's. I ended up going simple by ordering two eggs (over easy), Italian sausage link, sourdough toast, and home-fried potatoes. My lady went with the exact same thing but with bacon as her side. Both of our meals came with a side of their homemade raspberry jam. We both opted for fresh squeezed orange juice. Total time after we ordered to when our food arrived was roughly 10 minutes; not bad at all considering it had gotten much busier after we arrived. The young man who brought out our OJ's and meals was very accommodating. Even one of the ladies (who I believe was a manager) asked to make sure everything tasted to perfection. As far as the food, this place was solid. Definitely a 4.5 out of 5. Prices are higher than most breakfast spots but that's to be expected in a heavily visited area like this. The sourdough toast had that San Francisco flavor while the homemade jam was to die for. I tried some of her bacon and it was a bit too cooked and crispy for me. However, the sausage was perfect. All in all, "Mama's on Washington Square" is a San Francisco staple that I highly recommend. Portions are huge, service is above average, and the food will fill you up. My rating, 4 stars.
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Stephanie J.

Yelp
This spot gets pretty busy, but the wait wasn't too long--about 15 to 20 minutes. Very efficient-You order inside, where you can see the chefs preparing food and shelves of fresh pastries on display. Once you order, you get a number and can grab an open table. I tried the Florentine scramble and fresh-squeezed lemonade--both were fantastic! I sat outside with my dog, and while my table was a bit wobbly, the beautiful weather made up for it. Overall, I highly recommend this place. Now I truly understand the hype!
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Mike L.

Yelp
Even though it happened over a decade ago, I still remember the first time I tried (and failed) to come to Mama's all too well. My friend suggested grabbing breakfast here, but warned that if we weren't in line by 8am at the latest, "we're screwed". Now, I have to say - besides thinking that sounded super pessimistic, I had a hard time believing that could be true. Sure, that's not very early for a lot of folks, but it's not peak brunch hours either. Sadly, as we pulled up right at 8:30, I saw the unfortunate news - she was right. So, when we happened to pass by on a rainy morning and saw just a handful of folks in line at 9:30, it felt like a sign we just had to come here, weather be damned! Actually seeing this place in person, it's easy to see why there's always a line outside - this place is so small! What's more, from the looks of the crowds passing through the door, Mama's draws locals and even international tourists alike. Given the volume of people that pass through their doors, though, it's no surprise that this place has everything down to a rather efficient science. After waiting outside, you head inside to stand in shorter line where you can get another look at the menu (and the food as they're cooking). While they do have a handful of lunch-type offerings (salads, burgers, and sandwiches), most of the menu is made up of breakfast dishes - benedicts, scrambles, omelets, French toast, pancakes, and more - in both classic and somewhat unique preparations. -- MAMA'S FAMOUS MONTE CRISTO - Roasted Turkey Breast, Honey-Baked Ham, Sharp Cheddar, and Gruyere Cheese Served with Mama's Homemade Jam...$19.50 Of course we had to try Mama's signature dish! Admittedly, the portion didn't look all that hefty, but it's surprisingly filling. The bread was soft, the turkey and ham added a slight saltiness to offset the jam, and the cheese was oh so gooey. Yum! -- STAFF's FAVORITE OMELET SPECIAL - Dijon Chicken Sausage Omelet with White Onion & Garlic Jack Cheese...$20.50 I'd be hard pressed to say that this was particularly unique, whether it be the components or how it tasted, but this was pretty solid. The omelet was packed on the inside and the egg itself was fluffy and not all that "wet", but my favorite part was the garlic jack cheese - so good! -- MAMA's FRENCH TOAST SAMPLER - Cranberry Orange, Banana Walnut, and Cinnamon Brioche Bread Topped with Berries and Banana...$18.50 Collectively, these were great, but, sadly, the Banana Walnut one was just okay (good banana flavor, but too heavy on the walnuts). As for the other two, both were awesome - the Cranberry Orange was moist and just slightly fruity while the Cinnamon Brioche was equally soft and delicious. While it's great how everything moves like a well oiled machine, the experience can feel a little too much like a production line when things get busy. Don't get me wrong - it's much appreciated that it doesn't take long for your drinks/food to come after you're seated and the staff is friendly and never rush customers to clear out. It's just that if you're looking for a spot to have a drawn out meal and long, extended conversations, Mama's isn't the place for that, unless you want to be inconsiderate of your fellow diners and the staff (you can always head to Washington Square park across the street). Considering how I actually made it here again in the time since and had even less of a wait (albeit on a random weekday morning), I wonder if the lines aren't as bad as they used to be or if it just depends on that particular day. Either way, from what I could tell, it's clear Mama's still attracts all sorts of visitors - locals, tourists, and even international folks. Not hard to see why, given what we had and their reputation. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to come back to try more of the menu or get their Monte Cristo again even if there is a wait, though perhaps not if the wait times hit two hours or more like how it used to (to be fair, not many places are!).
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Cielita C.

Yelp
First time at this restaurant since someone I know recommended this place. I came on a Friday brunch time & there wasn't any wait. You order and pay up front, and pick a table after which I like since you can just get up and leave after your meal. I wish I can say I enjoyed the food, but the potatoes were a little too hard and I feel like it needs more seasoning in my opinion. The spicy italian sausage I got was too hard, it tasted like it's been sitting out in the cold and it just got microwaved. The ambiance inside isn't really anything special. It's giving a blast from the past vibes with their decorations. The only thing we enjoyed was the Monte Cristo without apples. Staff was also very nice.
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Emi R.

Yelp
I've been here twice now and the food is excellent. Everyone I bring here loves it. I always get the scrambled eggs with Italian sausage. I think the quality eggs, slightly spicy Italian ground patty paired with the homemade jam it's the holy trinity of breakfast for me as an American. From my experience the service was really great each staff member was attentive to our needs without us asking it really felt like mama was around. They also told us a lot about the menu. Inside is very small eclectic vibe and seating definitely fits for little Italy. This is the type of place where you pay before you eat so pro tip grab a seat and mark your territory before you get in line and order. Also you can ask for a paper menu to look at at the table if the line is long which it can be but is so with the wait. The bathroom is a little scary so don't drink too many mimosas bc u will fall otw to the bathroom
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Meg G.

Yelp
I finally made it here! I've always been deterred due to the long line outside, but I finally braved it and it honestly wasn't that bad - maybe 20 minutes at 11:30 on a Saturday. I absolutely love homey and retro it is inside, and although it's packed they're extremely efficient in taking your order and bringing your food. Although the prices were steep ($25 for a veg omlette after tax) , I will say it was the best breakfast I've had in SF. If you're looking for a classic American breakfast, it's worth the wait!
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Kelly S.

Yelp
the monte cristo sandwich is good. but is it worth $32 for that and canned soda? NO!!! the potatos weren't even cooked all the way through. it's good but not worth the price. :(
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Matt T.

Yelp
Mama's USED TO BE dependable: expensive, but good food. No more. The food last week was horrible, and the prices ridiculously high: I paid $25+tip+3% credit card fee for AN OMELET. If you need to use the bathroom, you have to go through the kitchen, outside, down some steps, and after 4 tries only to find it occupied, we gave up. Then, I logged on to Yelp, and found tons of reviews calling it a "tourist trap." I agree 100%. And I will add that we SF residents won't be returning.
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Carmen S.

Yelp
I came here for brunch with my fiancé a couple weeks ago and I must say it was a little underwhelming. My fiancé was super excited to come and try this spot because he'd heard so much about it and how there's always a long line. We came on a Friday and luckily it wasn't super busy. We ordered the classic Benedict and the Washington square omelet. I really really wanted to order some pastries as well, however saw some fruit flies on some of the pastries so decided against it. The food was okay, I didn't feel like it was something to write home about. However I did really enjoy their homemade jam. I almost wish they would sell them by the jar because I'd definitely come here just to pick up a few jars of that jam! Not sure if it was just me or just that particular day but it just didn't get the job done for me.
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Avinash K.

Yelp
I visited Mama's after seeing it recommended as a "must-visit" spot in San Francisco. While the food was definitely tasty and made with care, I couldn't help but feel it didn't quite live up to the hype -- especially given the price and overall experience. The biggest downside for me was the wait. There are no reservations, so you line up outside, then again inside to order before being seated. It made things feel a bit hectic, and not the most relaxing way to start a meal. The space itself has a bit of an old-school charm, but it also felt a little worn down. It could probably use a refresh, and at times I wondered about the cleanliness. Still, the food was enjoyable and clearly made with fresh ingredients. I can see why people love it -- especially if you hit it on a less crowded day. I'm glad I tried it, but there are other great brunch options in SF that I'd be more likely to return to.
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Tati J.

Yelp
I like to review mostly everything on yelp after reading the good reviews I came here before church , it was decent I was hoping for better it was obviously super crowded in a small space , the Asian waitress took my chair I was sitting on , the French toast was ok overall decent experience
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Robert D.

Yelp
Momma's for breakfast any day and especially on your birthday. The staff got the whole place singing. Eggs Benedict was some of the best. Excellent fluffy pancakes. Make sure to ask for the homemade jelly. Great black coffee and some of the best coffee cake you will ever have.
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Makena S.

Yelp
Welcoming spot on Washington Square featuring a breakfast-heavy menu and some light lunch items. The Monte Cristo sandwich is really good, as are the breakfast potatoes. We miss being greeted by Vince!
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Jen W.

Yelp
My Wait = None *I made it to Mama's Tuesday at 2:30pm. I walked right up to window & placed my order. The Order = The Pan Dore: slices of Sourdough Baguette w/ Sauteed Apples in Lemon Butter Sauce & a side of bacon. *The dish I received had the look and consistency of rectangle pancakes; not sourdough baguette. It did have the apples in lemon butter sauce topping and the overall the taste of the meal was good; just not what I expected. The Service: I would charicterize the service as good. *The staff seemed to be well aware of their local fame. The cashier approved of my choice of Pan Dore by saying that Rachel Ray loved it...
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Linnette R.

Yelp
I love coming here. Was visiting with a friend and I told them I have only ever eaten breakfast here. I remember the food always being good and they make their own jam! I got the Mama's Breakfast sandwich and a slice of carrot cake. I was able to get in line outside and made out way to the line to order. Once you order you get a number. Was able to get a table inside. They also have seating outside. The people are kind and we got our food quickly. Would definitely recommend this place. I always love coming back here. It is worth the wait. There is a charge when using a card when paying.
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Stephanie L.

Yelp
Met friends for breakfast early on a weekday and it was surprisingly not busy. The food was good and quick to come out. Cute little place. Got the eggs Benedict with "crispy" bacon -- it was delicious, though I was a bit disappointed that the bacon wasn't very crispy. The banana pancakes were moderately fluffy with chunks of banana. Overall a bit pricey but decent.
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Evan Y.

Yelp
If you can tolerate the line that will wrap around the building, it's worth the wait. Something about the monte cristo is to die for. Reminds me of my childhood going to Disneyland eating at the blue bayou that overlooks pirates of the Caribbean. After you over indulge on the breakfast delicacies, I encourage you to walk the square. You'll need it. Cheers to breakfast better than yo mamma makes it.
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Rebecca R.

Yelp
Classic brunch spot in north beach! It will have all of your regular suspect brunch items and a cute seating area. The line can get long, so I recommend going early or not having a strict schedule to stick to. Food was good, I wasn't blown away by anything.
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Tiffany P.

Yelp
Mama's is a North Beach staple with a homey feel. The menu features classic American brunch fare. Considering how this neighbhorhood institution is notorious for its long lines, we were lucky to only have waited 15 minutes on a weekend. Their famous Monte Cristo had surprisingly thin layers of ham, turkey, and cheese layered between 3 thick slices of basically french toast. I'm not a fan of the bread to protein and cheese ratio. The saving grace of the dish was that homemade jam! The Banana Walnut Bread felt dense, moist, and super sweet.  Brunch didn't quite impress me, but I did leave with a full tummy!
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Bianca R.

Yelp
Finally got the chance to score seats at this quaint brunch spot. We loved everything we ordered but the stand out was the carrot cake! This is the best spot for western style breakfast. Their house made jam is a must try.
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Apple L.

Yelp
Food is surprised me! Very nice brunch with mom after her check up! These pancakes are super fluffy and soft, with just the right amount of golden crisp on the edges. They taste buttery and warm, perfect with some syrup and strawberries on the top!
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Pamela F.

Yelp
Groovy, homey little corner joint with fast, friendly service on a rainy weekend. Fairly broad menu of tasty offerings. We came here specifically because the husband is always in search of the elusive Monte Cristo sandwich and found online that they offered one. He reports that the Monte Cristo "was very good." I enjoyed my selection of the North Beach Benedict with grilled tomato and prosciutto, even though it was on the salty side. The freshly squeezed orange juice was delicious (don't skip it!). Bottom line: We'd definitely head here for brunch again if in the area.
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Priscilla N.

Yelp
The experience was interesting. I got there around 11 AM, and there was already a line, but the wait wasn't too long. I was surprised that you have to order and pay as soon as you walk in, with the wait being to order before getting a seat. We ordered the Northern Italian omelette and the vegan eggs Benedict. The wait was a bit long because it was crowded, so keep that in mind. There was seating inside and outside, and they served water right away. The food was good and filling, but I don't think the Benedict was worth the long wait, even though it's their specialty. Overall, the experience and food were good, and the cozy atmosphere made it better.
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Joy S.

Yelp
Had to wait a little bit Saturday morning since there is little seating area. I ordered eggs benedict and it was quite delicious! I think this place is worth the wait since the portions are big and easy to share. Loved the service and the vibes were very welcoming!
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Joe H.

Yelp
A super homey dining experience. I arrived here on a semi-busy Saturday mid-morning, with a line already formed on the sidewalk. Once you made it pass the entryway, there is another short line to the register, where you'll get to see the kitchen directly, with displays of their daily pastry selection... which is sure to increase your appetite. I ordered their special: Dungeness Crab Cake Benedict. The crab cakes had a perfect crust containing succulent crab meat, complemented by the creamy hollandaise sauce. The poached eggs were cooked to perfection, with a velvety runny yolk. Paired with a refreshing Orange Juice Mimosa and the cozy, inviting atmosphere of the restaurant, it was a truly delightful experience.
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Chloe C.

Yelp
Food - I *think* I ordered the Washington Square but it was ok. The potatoes were good but I wish they were more crispy. Overall was just ok for me. The sausage was good though, but after a while it felt a little salty. Lots of pastries and fresh baked goods but I saw some small flies or bugs flying around it. Kinda inevitable since it's out there in the open and the main door opens/closes. Service - friendly staff and food came out relatively quick for how busy they are. Ambiance - really busy and crowded on a Saturday. You wait in line, order and then take a seat. Pretty straightforward but the inside is pretty cramped so you're going to be weaving in and out of people.
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Josh S.

Yelp
I don't love waiting in line but this place is worth it. We've tried most all the pancake and French toast options and they're all good. Coffee cake is great too. Only thing I'd skip is the latte. Been several times and will continue to come back.
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Mansi A.

Yelp
Overall I had a pleasant experience here! I really enjoyed the food and ambiance. Ordering was a different experience than most brunch places I've been to. You have to order first and then take a seat at an open table. The place seemed super busy and we were worried that it would take a long time to find seating, but we got lucky that a table had just opened up. The place is pretty small so I'm not sure that'd I'd suggest this place for anyone trying to eat with a group of more than four people. We ordered the Mama's French Toast Sampler and the Florentine Scrambled Eggs. The sampler was my favorite of the two, but that may just be because I love French Toast. The banana walnut and chocolate bread slices were my favorites of the three. Not too sure if they rotate these flavors. The eggs were also not too bad, nothing too special. The bread was very nice and potatoes were cooked well! Would definitely revisit for another Sunday brunch in the future!
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Victoria R.

Yelp
We ordered Florentine eggs benedict, Blackstone eggs Benedict, the French toast sampler, silver dollar pancakes, chorizo brwakfast, orange juice and the berry melon smoothie. EVERYTHING was amazing! The favorite French toasts were cranberry walnut kind, those need to be everyone's go to order! The service was ehh I guess it's not what you say it's how you say it. The 2 waiters were visibly busy so we helped ourselves to a clean plate and the female waitress came over and in a not so friendly tone said if you need to get a plate just ask for it don't just get up! Just like that! I wanted just 1 more tortilla to finish my chorizo and had to pay for a set of 3 ($5.43). Nonetheless the ambiance was chill and everyone enjoyed their meals.
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Manana H.

Yelp
My friends and I had a Sunday morning brunch here and we LOVED it. Mama's on Washington Square is an iconic historic gem in SF. They had their very first menu on the wall and it was so interesting to see inflation in action. The food was good. Atmosphere was very welcoming and cute. The service was very fast. They do not ask/charge for tips :) The only downside was the line to get in. We were probably waiting for 20-30 minutes.
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Ryan M.

Yelp
Cute interior, bit of a retro vibe and right across the street from the park! Went on a Saturday morning and the line was super long but moved quick. Prices were like what'd you expect from a pricey SF brunch. Overall tasty food but nothing blew me away.
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Maruko X.

Yelp
Ambiance: it's a family style brunch place, located cross the street of Washington square park, crowded and packed inside, it's very cold if you happen to be seated the table next to entrance and exit, and outside door seating Service: very fast and friendly, served water and food promptly once place the order through the counter after waiting in line Food: plenty choices for classic brunch items Monte Cristo - **** served all day, Roasted Turkey Breast, Honey Baked Ham, Chedder and Gruyere Cheese battered in Egg, grilled, and served with Homemade Jam, tasty sandwich toast, the side potatoes were undercooked, still recommend as signature here Price: decent portions and reasonable prices, about $25 per person

Ellie A.

Yelp
I loved this so much! Today was my last day here in San Francisco and we were looking for a breakfast place and I stumbled upon this place! I'm so glad I did! Service was amazing and welcoming. When we ordered our food we told the waiter that it was our last day and he gave us a recommendation on what to do next! Food was delicious and warm you can even see them make it! Would love to come back!
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Zita M.

Yelp
Excellent food but much more expensive than other brunch places. The way it works - you wait in line. You order your food at the counter. Then you will get a number and then get seated. Food will be brought to you or your party. This is nice in case everyone wants to have a separate check and the turn over for a table is quick. What I didn't love is the prices. I paid 62$ for a glass of orange juice, a Benedict, and a French toast sampler plate. Ouch So if you want a nice environment, quality food at a downtown location - this is the place to be but expect a price tag to come with it. (Street parking available but alot at least 20 min to find something).
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Kim M.

Yelp
This little joint is busy for a reason, you get there and you get in line and order and pay at the counter they give you a number and you're at. The brunch here is so good and hearty. The mimosa was very tasty. Check them out if you want a good breakfast plate.
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Megan H.

Yelp
We went here for the monte cristo sandwich, which I've never had anywhere else! It was delicious and the perfect balance of savory and sweet for breakfast. I was very impressed! The grilled chicken sandwich was also good, and just what you expect. We also got a mimosa, which was good, and a lemonade vodka drink that was a bit stronger than expected.
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Mikaela S.

Yelp
The perfect quick brunch option on a sunny day. You order inside at the front counter, and then can sit at one of their nice outdoor tables. Service was super quick and attentive. One of my friends had a dairy allergy, and they ended up bringing out her food with butter on top, but restaurant was very accommodating in making her a new plate with the butter on the side. I had the pancakes, which were SO AMAZING. I can't wait to go back again and try something else from their extensive menu!
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Alexcia M.

Yelp
Since moving to SF in 2021 I have been wanting to try Mama's on Washington. I was able to recently and it was amazing. I recommend going in the morning because it is a busy busy hole in the wall!! I tried Mama's breakfast sandwich and it was amazing. I would go back for that sandwich specifically. My family was visiting and they loved it!
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Sharon G.

Yelp
My family came to this spot around 1pm on a Saturday and were able to enter immediately. We ordered first before finding seats. I usually order omelettes here but this time I had the Slim Joe Burger. While standing in line, I saw some guy eating a burger on sourdough and immediately knew I needed that. The restaurant itself is pretty small but decorated super nicely. The Slim Joe burger was delicious and my boyfriend enjoyed it more than the burger that he ordered. My sister ordered my monte cristo and it was delicious as well!! That jam is