Mama Ricotta's

I cannot say enough good things about Mama Ricottas. My girlfriend and I live in South Carolina and drive up to Charlotte once every month or so just to go to this restaurant. Having dined here 20 times since I moved down here I will say its my absolute favorite restaurant in the area. The food is always excellent and the drinks are always great with great service in getting them to you. You never will leave thinking you paid too much... overall it is very reasonably priced with an great atmosphere. We met the owner once and he was very respectful and appreciative. I would recommend Mama Ricotta's to EVERYBODY! Everytime I go back the food is perfect and I really enjoy the rolls and olive oil served before the main course...

Pros: Food, atmosphere, service, pricing, location, on and on

Cons: There isn't another location in Rock Hill hahaha

Posted 02/25/09

This Place has excellent classic dishes, that you will enjoy. Lasagna, Penna ala Vodka, Chicken Parm, Pizza, Calamari.

Or try something new like butternut squash ravioali or Mamma Rigot's take on Cheese Dip appetizer...

There is NOTHING BAD on the menu.....

Go and Eat... Manja,... Enjoy!!!

Pros: Ecellent Food.. Better as Leftovers

Cons: None

Posted 02/06/09

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Posted 02/03/09

I ate at Mama Ricotta's for the first time yesterday and i definately will eat there again. Aside from the well priced and delicious food we had, the main ingredient that I remember the most was the staff. The hostess Dana was so pleasant and inviting I was already smiling as soon as she greeted me. I was waiting at the bar for the rest of my party to arrive and Kate, the bartender, was so helpful in recommending items from the menu that were a favorite of some of the regulars. I assume based on my experience that this place has a lot of regulars. Our server was Derrick and he could not have been more helpful or efficient. He really seemed to care about our experience and had knowledge of the menu. I thought it was a wonderful touch when the manager, Patrick, delivered our entrees to us. He asked how everything was and made sure all of our food was perfect and asked if we needed anything. He asked if it was our first time to the restaurant because he did not feel like he had seen us in before. He sent over a complimentary goat cheese appetizer because in his words it is a "must have" if you had not dined at Mama Ricotta's before. I could not have been more pleased with the atmosphere, food and service.

Posted 01/23/09

I used to ADORE Mama Ricotta's... tried and true, I've sent a million people to this place and even referred my cousin to have wedding rehearsal dinner there. That being said - I was EXTREMELY disappointed with a brunch experience.

Went in - all excited with my fiance, that we were going to have mama ricotta's brunch - everything else there is scrumptious, therefore, the brunch should be to-die for. Uh.... not-so-much.
My fiance absolutely hates runny eggs - so he asked for the italian hash special with SCRAMBLED eggs. Simple enough right? When he got his order, he cringed at the runny eggs... he actually hesitated about sending it back, but I nudged him to get the waiter to bring him a new plate... he was so upset. The waiter kindly took the plate and came back 10- mins later with what appeared to be a new plate. When my fiance started eating, he quickly realized, it was the SAME plate, but the runny eggs were "scraped" off - (and not even in an orderly way as there was yolk all over his "hash". GROSS! Who does that??? Just give a whole new plate! We were upset - because we've felt it going downhill in there for a little while now --- and it's disheartening, because we LOVE italian - and want it to be successful.

For brunch, we'll stick with DNG, for dinner, not sure I can get my other half to go back to Mama's.
Sorry Mama.... let me know when things are back up to par.

Posted 12/03/08

My wife and me have been loyal customers at Mama's for over 3 years now. It takes us 30 min. to get there from our house and well worth the drive. The food at this place is spot on everytime. I ordered the chicken bianco which was to die for, (a favorite of mine,) and my wife stayed close in on her limb and ordered the penne vodka. The food was fabulous as always. the atmosphere was very family oriented and appropriate, JUST DON'T GO HERE ON WEEKENDS, for the place WILL be packed, I reccomend eating here between noon and five on weekdays. Sunday brunch here is a well kept secret that nobody should miss out on. Another thing I think is important to mention is the service. Our waiter, John, delivered fast and friendly service and the guy that brought our food out, (whom closely resembled a new-aged Harry Potter,) was extreamly friendly, fast, yet delicate - not pausing for a moment to offer both my wife and me parmesean and fresh black pepper before asking if we needed anything. The food delivery guy was so refreshing and charming in fact that my wife just had to compliment him on his good job. It's surprising how much of a difference fast and friendly service makes, (I'm a tipper so I keep a close eye on these things and how MR's employees are willing to go that extra mile :). Anyways, this place is well worth checking out and I'm sure everything on the menu is authentic and the prices are quite fair.
9 out of 10!

Pros: Great authentic italian food, good atmosphere, fair prices, excellent staff

Cons: Can be VERY crowded on Friday/Sat nights, I mean elbows to elbows while waiting for table

Posted 09/12/08

Waited 40 minutes to receive their famous goat cheese dip which only takes 3 minutes to prepare asked the waiter 4 times whether or not our appitizer was coming and everytime he said a coulple of minutes after 40 minutes the waiter said that the owner was working on our order and it would be right out. 5 minutes later the owner brings the food to the table and just sets it down and walks away NO SORRY FOR THE WAIT OR COULD I GET YOU ANYTHING ELSE!!!! USED to be one of my favorite places to come to but your customer service has gone down hill..Remember were the ones who keep you in business!!!!!!!!!!

Cons: customer service/ poor music selection/ owners lack involvement

Posted 09/04/08

What a wonderful menu and staff! My wife and I started with two Mamatinis. Now I?ve had pineapple-infused martinis before but these were different. Made with orange and mango vodka, they were a real treat. We decided to have some wine with dinner so our server, Derrick, made some suggestions, which we were very pleased with. For our entrees my wife enjoyed the Spiedini salad while I had the Lasagna. The homemade sausage is what really makes the lasagna special. One of the managers, Patrick, stopped by the table to see how we were doing. We asked what dessert he recommended and without hesitation he mentioned the Nutella Pie. He was right on the money. What a fantastic experience from beginning to end. I couldn?t disagree more from holly234?s post.

Pros: Service

Cons: None

Posted 08/13/08

My girlfriend and I were there recently for a quick bite. All of the staff was very friendly and professional. The food was good, especially the pizza. Unfortunately the manager running around the restaurant yelling at the staff with his French-accented expletives made us very uncomfortable. Listening to him curse and insult his employees will make us think twice about returning!

Posted 08/08/08

We have been here many times, especially before going to a show downtown. The food is very good and plentiful. We also like the wine flights. The bread is especially good (resist the urge to eat too much because the meal is going to be great and plentiful). We enjoy the casual elegance, both inside and on the patio.

Posted 06/17/08

went there for lunch at 12.30 on a monday and the place was jammed packed..service fair considering the crowd..prices very innexpensive and good portions..had chicken scarpello over spagetti..tasty and good portions..bread was 1 bisquit and 3 hard rolls laced with a touch of olive oil..definetly a popular place and worth going back providing you have time at lunch or diner to wait a little..

Pros: inexpensive good portions..

Cons: extremly busy

Posted 06/12/06

This was our first visit at Mama Ricotta's. I live in Midland, NC and went to this restaurant with some friends. Our friends had eaten there many times and told us it was good. I agree!! This Itailan restaurant has the best Italian food that I've ever eaten. It is authentic and not too Americanized. I tasted "polenta" for the first time because I've never known another ITalian restaurant in this area that serves this. I ordered "Chicken Carciofi" with polenta. This was very delicious. Although it took me a long time to decide what to order because everything on the menu sounded good. The prices are reasonable but we did have to wait about 45 minutes for a table. Next time we will go a little earlier to beat the crowd. I guess you know a restaurant is good when there is a 45 min. wait. Try this place!

Pros: Food, Prices, Courteous

Cons: busy, crowded

Posted 01/12/06

Unfortunately I went there the wrong night, the food was fine but I had been gently obliged to consume 350 US$ bottle of Gaja Barolo that was VERY BAD. It looks that the money were the first thing of the restaurant policy. I am Italian and I never been treated in that manner. I would not recommend a restaurant that act in that way. Italian food is base on good feeling and good service. Unfortunately I couldnt find both. OWNER even does not appear, he just obliged me trough his staff to Pay the full amount (I left the tip tooif they need money why do they not put a sign?) and that it is all. Gaja wine should not served if it is too old or improperly stored.

Posted 12/13/05

I love the new location for this Charlotte favorite! Get the Chicken Carcioffi. The garlic twists are a must! Their Tiramisu is sooo delicious. Nice big portions!

Pros: Good ambiance

Cons: none

Posted 12/09/05

Mama Ricottas is by far the best italian restaurant in town.

They've changed their menu a bit, removed the Mama's Pasta (which is my favorite) but they'll still make it if you ask. All of their pastas are excellent, terrific appetizers, wonderful desserts...and don't forget the bread knots with dipping oil!

The atmosphere could be better, I don't care for the wild interior design & decorating.

Pros: Pasta

Cons: atmosphere

Posted 07/25/05

Wow! I am absolutely in love with the Penne ala Vodka. The individual size portion was very generous! Dinner for two was one soup, two glasses of wine, two entrees, one dessert plus tax and tip was under $50. Plus, there was enough left over for lunch the next day. A "MUST TRY" in Charlotte. It was a little noisy, but It was a busy Friday night.

Pros: portion size, menu variety, reasonably priced

Cons: noise level

Posted 02/01/03

This place is a totally forgettable mismanged mosh pit. On a recent Saturday at 7pm we called 30 min. ahead yet our party of 6 waited over an hour to be crammed into a booth for 4. Unhappy waitress then proceeded to spill olive oil on the table and coffee cream on one of us. Food arrived like the kitchen was understaffed- late and lukewarm. Only plus was that they didn't charge for desert because of the spills. My first and last visit to this overrated bistro.

Posted 01/19/03

I enjoyed this resturant thoughly. I am also planning on having my rehearsal dinner there!

Pros: food, service

Posted 01/12/03

This is by far the best Italian food I have ever had. The Penne a la Vodka is a must try! The atmosphere is great, especially the the bar area. I highly recommend to all of my friends and family.

Pros: reasonably priced, fantastic food, great service

Cons: strip mall location

Posted 12/30/02

I drive 45 minutes for this restaurant! A friend introduced me to it, and I have been more than pleased with every visit since. I have introduced other friends to it as well, and they all have loved it. The servers are attentive and very knowledgable about the menu. The atmosphere is comfortable enough to relax in, yet classy enough to impress anyone. The food speaks for itself, trust me. The last time I was there, my date and I didn't speak for 30 minutes (simply because the food was so great; didn't want to focus on anything else but the tastes of the food!) Presentation was also first-rate. I highly recommend Mama Ricotta's for any special occasion or even a simple weeknight meal.

Pros: service, food, atmosphere

Cons: parking, no full bar yet

Posted 10/20/02

Gotta be my all-time favorite Italian restaurant. They recently moved to the new location and now you actually have some elbow room. Only downer is that you can tell that the building used to be a mexican restaurant. Try anything on the menu and you will be in love. It was the last place we visited before we had to move from the area. Loved it so much that we also had them cater our wedding.
Also believe it's non-smoking, or I have never noticed.
Hope to visit soon.

Pros: Fantastic food, decent wine list, never feel rushed

Cons: no reservations, parking in strip mall, design og building

Posted 08/20/02

Mama Ricotta's could easily compete with any restaurant in North Beach, San Francisco's "Little Italy".
Judging from the outside it looks like a strip mall restaurant--but once you take a step inside you forget where you are........
The atmosphere is wonderful, the service is friendly and the food is sensational!
It was a pleasant surprise.

Pros: ambiance, food, bar

Cons: in a strip mall, parking

Posted 08/15/02

I went to Mama Ricotta's with hopes it would be like it was before it moved to it's new location 3 blocks down King st. The interior was roomy and colorful except for the black floors, which were all scratched up. The food is all homeade except they don't make spaghetti...cause I guess it's not Italian enough to serve. The waitstaff is very good, but the managment seems to be a little money hungry. I watched one manager dispute with a lady about charging her for bread & oil. She was with a large party, but he still wanted to charge her. I watched the manager argue with this lady about this issue for about 10 minutes, but he didn't seem to give in, and she just looked at him like, "Are you kidding me?" It was just bread. How about some customer service?

Pros: Homeade food, Waitstaff = excellent, Good location

Cons: Mgmt is money hungry, No spaghetti, Charged for bread

Posted 08/01/02