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!).