Mama's On Washington Square

Mama’s is a true SF brunch classic, and I finally tried their crab cake benedict — so good. The crab cakes were fresh and flavorful, topped with perfectly poached eggs and creamy hollandaise that wasn’t too heavy. Portions are generous and it’s super filling. The vibe inside is cozy and bustling, with that old-school North Beach charm. The wait can be long, but sitting right by Washington Square makes it less painful. If you’re in San Francisco and don’t mind a line, Mama’s is a must for a satisfying brunch.

French toast is amazing. Vibe is good. Espresso isn’t that good. Definitely a great restaurant!

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.

It’s always a long waiting line here but it’s worth it. A yum yum brunch will open your sleepy eyes widely. 🤤 The waiters are very friendly. Love the daily homemade jam. 🍓🫐

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

I genuinely don’t get the hype… Been here a few times, but the wait line is always long, the price is outrageous, and the food is just mediocre brunch. I pass by here every morning and really want to understand the hype, but I just don’t get it 😶‍🌫️

The last time I came was over 7 years ago. Aside from the change in prices, the food is just as delicious as before 😋 The Monte Cristo is definitely my must order!!! (you can’t find it anywhere else🥺

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.

We finally checked Mama's at Washington Square off our SF food bucket list, and it did not disappoint! We waited about 30 minutes in line outside, but once inside, it was worth every minute. We ordered the Mama's Smoothie (banana, berries, OJ, yogurt, and honey) -- fresh, creamy, and the perfect start. Then came the French Toast Sampler, which was incredible: Banana Walnut - House-baked banana bread topped with fresh bananas. Chocolate Cinnamon - A house favorite, topped with fresh seasonal berries and bananas. Cranberry-Orange - House-baked bread made with tart cranberries, fresh orange juice, and walnuts. Each had its own flavor and texture, and together it felt like the ultimate breakfast treat. Service was friendly, the vibe was cozy, and the food lived up to the hype. It was a bit on the pricey side for breakfast, but the quality and experience made it worthwhile. We'll definitely be back to try more of the menu!

First time today and will have to go back and try more of the menu. Every time they serve someone, every plate looks delicious. We were here on a Sunday morning and there's a line outside. There's another line inside once you go in to line up to order your food. You order and pay first and they bring out your order once you're seated. I love how you see their kitchen prepare the food. They are efficient and service is pretty fast. A little tight inside but cozy nonetheless. Side notes... $1 surcharge for any order with eggs. Not sure why parties of 6 will have automatic gratuity when you literally line up to order and pay for your food right away. You don't get much service unless you order a refillable coffee.

I have never been to Mama's and I have never literally stood in line for breakfast before - not like this! I assumed you put your name on a list, wander around, maybe get a pager and they buzz you when your table is ready. But no - here you wait in line and the line inches forward as people are able to get inside to place their order with the kitchen and then get a table. It's an incredibly efficient way to do breakfast because once you order your food, the wait to get your food is minimal! And the experience of watching the team put these incredibly delicious plates of food together is fun! Blackstone Benedict is what I ordered and it was fantastic! The 5 of us all enjoyed our food immensely and had a table outside as we requested. The team was so accommodating and were attentive - bringing us homemade jam (you must try it!) and refilling our coffees. It was a wonderful way to do breakfast in SF and every bit worth the wait! We got there before 10 am and only waited maybe 35 minutes before placing our order.

Awsome food. The hard part is deciding what you want to eat. Got the smoked salmon scramble this time. Was delicious. The ice tea was very good and they bring a little pitcher to the table for refills. Got to sit outside and the spot was perfect.

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.

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.

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.

So we finally decided to try this place for breakfast. The food was good it was hot and fresh. Now, the reason for the 3 stars is because all the cooks don't wear gloves while cooking and plating the food. Then they wipe their hands on their dirty aprons and touch other food. YUCK! Now the servers wear gloves but not the cooks. Don't think I'll be coming back because of this it's how germs can spread.

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.

The crab benedict here is a serious crowd-pleaser ... sweet, delicate crab piled high on a perfectly toasted English muffin, topped with velvety hollandaise. The flavors hit all the right notes, and the portion is generous enough to keep you fueled for the rest of the day. Service is friendly and efficient, even with the steady stream of diners. The space has that charming, old-school San Francisco brunch feel, though the wait can be a bit long if you hit peak hours.

The pizza was like no other! Our waitress was very nice and accommodating. The restaurant was inviting. I really liked the decor. It was my daughter's choice to celebrate her birthday at Mama's. We needed a reservation because the restaurant is popular and the pizza is amazing! A must try.

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.

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.

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.

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

Lovely brunch spot with friendly staff and great food. I love the French toast sampler and the avo toast. The grapefruit juice is also a favorite. Wish they had oat milk instead of only almond milk for their lattes.

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.

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!

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!).

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.

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

Mama's On Washington Square is the best restaurant in San Francisco, period. Consistently incredible food & impeccable service-- you'd be a fool to eat anywhere else. :)

Surprisingly good Monte Cristo the sandwiches were overall very light/fluffy/flavorful although the potato salad had a little too much mayo

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.

Do they ever clean their floors? Mama's on washington square has been around since the 50s. Looks like they haven't cleaned their floors since then too.... Mind you this was taken at 8, when they open. Funny thing is a walked by in the afternoon after hours and saw their cleaning crew sweeping so maybe they just don't care....Ive been a long time mamas customer and it's been declining. The owners are probably retiring and just don't care anymore. oh well

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!

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Mamas says they close at 3pm but they won't seat you past 2:30pm even if you call to confirm they will even let you in the restaurant after waiting and the kitchen will tell you they are closed. Good food, bad service

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.

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.

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. :(

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!

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.

Service was friendly. We were sat down in less than 15 mins with a party of 6 regardless of how small the restaurant was! The food arrived reasonably quick. We enjoyed the breakfast and sandwiches. Their OJ is fresh squeezed and their Mama's smoothie was so yummy! If we're ever in the area again we will definitely come back! A little unrelated but their restroom is very tiny, just fyi!

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!

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.

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.

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...

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.