Mama's Pizzeria

At Mamas you can have your CFO (cheesesteak fried onions) and eat it too. Order one, eat one-half there and take the other half home for five hours later. Both meals will be more than filling, or split one with a friend, but it must be a very close friend. The rolls are soft with a crust that holds the steak, onion and provolone perfectly. Powers of description are beggared by mere summary of its ingredients. Without hyperbole, it could be the acme of human endeavor. Check their hours before going, there are perhaps only a few things in life sadder than driving to Belmont Avenue and finding them closed.

Pros: CFO

Cons: Clown paintings visit your dreams

Posted 06/15/08

Mamas Pizzeria is anything but how they claim to be on their website. "Our goal has been to ensure the complete satisfaction of every customer - and meet all of your expectations and know that our customers are always our number one priority." Completely false! I have never encountered such a contradiction. When I happily called a month in advance to reserve a 10 person table, celebrating a birthday party and a family reuniting under the roof of their favorite childhood restaurant since the late 50s I was astonished by the brush-off I was delivered over the phone. When I expected to hear something like "that is wonderful" and "we are looking forward to seeing you again!" Instead the answer was "There is nothing I can do, you will have to wait and see IF you get a table." What!? Thinking this may have been the dumb girl gatekeeper answer I asked to speak to the owner. Sadly, the answer was the same. I was heartbroken. Clearly they do not want your business and to hell with your family.

Cons: Customer Service

Posted 11/29/07

My husband grew up eating Mama's and the 1st trip I made to Philly I had to taste this so called "genuine" cheesesteak. I must say I couldnt eat the whole thing due to it's size but it was the best! So much so that we have them delivered down here to Florida during the "delivery season". We honestly believe they should open a restaurant down here in Florida to show us "crackers" what a "genuine" cheesesteak really is.

Pros: Fulfilling, Lots of toppings, Ships to Florida

Cons: Seasonal Shipping

Posted 10/06/05

Okay, I didn't try the pizza which was not expensive but the chesesteak itself was $8. Problem was, it was what my friend calls a 'tweener. Big for one, not big enough for two. At any rate, the cheesesteak was among the best 've had. I live in roxborough where there' s steak joint on every corner...but none like this. Hours are definitely limited but it's worth it. Odd location too. Not much around other than houses.

Pros: Excellent Steaks

Cons: Price

Posted 06/08/05

Recently tried Mama's based on the reviews I saw on city search. I am not big on beef, so I got a chicken cheesesteak...I think the best I ever had. The sandwich was huge, half was more than enough, and loaded with lots of cheese and large pieces of fried onions. I highly recommend it for anyone...just beware, they have very limited hours.

Posted 11/07/04

As I read the reviews here I shed a tear, because sometimes in the middle of the day I think about Mama's and realize it's so far from California (where I am now). I grew up in Philadelphia and ate here with my Dad and brother whenever we could. AWESOME! The most delicious cheesesteaks you can have. High quality ingredients and deliciously blended. Unique flavor and simply GREAT! Not the same type as Pat's, etc., but can be related in the sense that this is what those should aspire to be. The pizza is great too. One of my favorite places to eat in the entire world - any class, any price....I would seriously consider a cheesesteak and pizza from Mama's as my Last Meal.

Pros: AWESOME, delicious, Pleasure-inducing

Posted 07/07/04

Mama's has the most amazing cheese steaks EVER! The menu is excellent with many options for meat lovers and vegetarians alike. This is a must do in Philly and is worth the search.

Pros: Portions, Taste

Cons: Service, Small Restaurant, Busy

Posted 12/10/03

Grew up in Phila and thought all cheesesteaks were good. Had favoirites and thought life was good. Then I found Mama's in 1980 and it all changed.

It is an awesume sandwich. Large (which is good), on a great crispy roll, with good meat. The Pizza Steak version is by far the best with lots of meat, cheese and sauce. A great meal unto itself.

I moved to Chicago almost 20 years ago and come back to Phila a lot. Mama's is always on my list of places to see even if it is an hour from my family's house.

Pros: Taste, Pizza Steak, Meat, cheese, roll

Posted 07/23/03

There are not many places to which I'll drive an hour for comfort food, but here's one. The food is always flavorful, hot and promptly served. Real steak, real cheese...what a novel idea! The sauces are authentic, not canned. The cheeses are varied and fresh, and the steak is cooked the way you like it. Whats more, you can eat with non-steak lovers from the very varied menu.

Posted 12/30/02

If you don't like at lot of real cheese the ask them to go light on the cheese. The sandwich is packed with great tasting chipped steak and lots of cheese. Unless you are a pig (like me), bring a friend to share it or ask them to wrap up half to take home. Mama's is hard to find if you don't know the area. It's across the street for the WWDB radio station. Has a nice back dining room with table service.

Pros: Good Parking, Table service, Big portions/good val

Cons: Long wait at lunch, Phone order or wait

Posted 12/12/02

Fast all day long and go with an empty belly to fully experience Big Mamma's.

Posted 12/03/02

Best in area , biggest also. For real eaters not tourist, Pat's and the others are just hype.

Cons: not open all the time

Posted 11/08/02

I live in Portland, Oregon; but I grew up in Philly. People always talk about Geno's and Pat's on the West Coast... What do they know?!?! Mama's is not only the best, it is PHILLY; it is 'home' and it has been a destination for me with every visit back for the last 14 years! Ill see you there this week!

Posted 10/05/02

I cannot say enough about these steaks. They are the best I have ever eaten. I buy one and it lasts me two days. It is rich in taste and it's well worth the money, not cholesterol friendly, but what a friendly treat.

Pros: excellent portions, utterly scrumptuous, prices great

Cons: hard getting out of p, sz of rest. too small, no delivery service

Posted 08/29/02

Mama's is the best cheesesteak I have ever had. The mozzarela cheese is thick and theres plenty of it. Some people don't like that much cheese, but I can't get enough of it. The texture of the fried onions also can't be beat. The cheesesteaks around Philly are all good, but Mama's is in a league of its own.

Pros: Excellent Food, Friendly Service, Best Steaks Anywhere

Cons: Small Parking Lot, Can be Pricey

Posted 08/12/02

Mama's makes incredible cheese steaks (and others too) and awesome pizza. Bring your appetite tough, as their large is enough for 2-3 hungry folk!

Posted 07/25/02

Mama's is an unknown, hardly-ever opened cheesesteak shop. Best tasting, the cheese is fried with the meat. Good stuff, highly recommended

Pros: Taste

Cons: Never Opened

Posted 07/22/02

in philly all you hear about is Jim's, Pats or Genos. Mama's pizzeria in Bala Cynwyd is an unknown except to locals (right off 76 up Belmont Ave) the cheezsteaks are great!! and they are huge, good luck finishing a whole one in 1 sitting. worth the visit. hook it up!!!!!!!!

Pros: great cheezsteaks

Posted 05/21/02