Mama's Mexican Kitchen

Besides the huge plates of undeniably tasty food and stiff drinks, this place gets it when it comes to making you feel good and letting you have a good time. The walls floors and tables are simply jampacked with all kinds of kitschy coolness. Of course there's the Elvis room where we had a birthday dinner for my Dad last September. The staff are my kind of people. Youthful and humorous and trying to rock through the night as well as can be done. If you want a corporate style prerehearsed dialog along with dinner then you aren't going to find it here. Five stars from this happy, stuffed, and a bit tipsy fan.

Pros: Lots of tasty food and booze. Great people all around you.

Cons: Can't think of any. Really I can't.

Posted 11/05/09

I've loved this place for years. In fact, just writing this review is making me hungry for the food! If you're wondering where to go out to tonight, you can't go wrong here

Pros: great atmosphere, fantastic food, large portions

Cons: none

Posted 11/05/09

I've been here before and to be honest, only put up with the terrible service cause I really do enjoy the food, but tonight was the last straw.

Our waitress seemed cold and despondent, as did most of the other wait staff. I placed an order for a margarita, and apparently she said she'd be back to check my ID, but I didn't hear this. When she came back she got short with me because I didn't have my ID out. I apologized and quickly got it out, but before I could even hand it to her she walked away from our table. She ended up coming back and checking it. During this time however, my water cup had been empty and not once did she offer to fill it. Those chips they give you make you really thirsty! and it wasn't until after she brought me my margarita that she finally filled my water. And all I could think was "Gee, thanks"

When we were ready to leave my four friends and I had to split the check. There was a line around the register that we weren't really sure where it began. We decided that two of us would wait in line while the other two waited outside. As I'm waiting in line with the rest of the small crowd of people I was trying to do my best to stay out of the staff's way since we were standing in the way of a kitchen entrance. And that's when one of the staff walked past my friend and I and very rudely said "Standing there isn't such a great idea". As if we had much of a choice! I thought it was completely disrespectful and was really offended by this and rather than cause a scene when they were so busy I decided what I really wanted was just to pay and get the hell out of there and never come back.

When they get a better staff maybe I'll come back. Until then, I'm done.

Pros: decent food

Cons: rude wait staff, poor customer service

Posted 04/16/09

I've been to Mama's many times and have always been underwhelmed. The environment is cool, but the food is just so blah. So, if you don't mind blah food and just want a typically Seattle "cool" place to eat, go.

Pros: ambience is cool

Cons: the food is so not good

Posted 03/31/09

I have worked in the restaurant industry. I ask that my food is tasty, my service adequate, and that the food is priced based on its quality and portion size. I have no problem eating at a truck stop. Nor do I mind paying extra for higher quality food or larger portions.
Service: We were seated in the Elvis Room, but were asked to move because of a forgotten reservation. When we placed our orders my husband mentioned we would prefer to split the check. Service was slow. My friend asked for salsa multiple times. Drink refills were a wait. Coffee was never refilled. The check was not split up and added 18% gratuity for a group of 6 (most restaurants parties of 8+), and she'd MISCALCULATED our total, EXTRA $10 to her gratuity! She returned with a pen and paper so we could split the check ourselves! Handwriting was tough to read and she'd scribbled the order all over the ticket. She had the nerve to mention she had given us the happy hour prices on our drinks (even though she wasn't sure about the time). What!?! We got there at 5:30pm and happy hour ends at 6:30pm. Our drinks were ordered in time. We were still there because of slow service, not order time!
Value: I paid $6 for a small weak strawberry margarita, 1 enchilada with beans and rice was almost $10, tiny portion and looked like a kid meal. I would have gotten 2 quality enchiladas for the same at Azteca. Salsa is extra. The menu on their website is NOT up to date. Prices were higher.
Food: The quality was low. My beans had chunks of burned cheese. Made me wonder if they reused cookware without washing thoroughly because the cheese on my enchilada was not burned at all. The beef in the enchilada was alright, but not much flavor. Stale chips.
Location: Little parking. We noticed a disproportionate number of creepy homeless guys. Area seemed sketchier than I remembered. While we ate we watched three squad cars responding to an incident across the street and a police officer pulling contraband from a man's pockets. There was a homeless guy shouting unintelligibly in front of the restaurant's entrance when we walked in, not a place to walk alone.
Conclusion: I must assume that this was once a better restaurant. They have many positive reviews and have apparently won local awards. That said, it is currently a mismanaged establishment lacking in service and food quality, charging a higher price than other Mexican restaurants in the area.

Pros: Close to the Crocodile Cafe

Cons: Bad Service, Poor Food Quality at Higher Price

Posted 03/29/09

Yes, it's not "real" Mexican - who cares? If you want real Mexican go back to LA/Phoenix. Mama's is great. And, yes, I do know what "real" Mexican tastes like and I still love Mama's and I love the spotty service and no one is better than Bella. Mama's is "real" Seattle and I hope it stays that way.

Pros: Great ambiance, good is good, even though it's not authentic, service is, well, Mama's service and I like it

Cons: None

Posted 01/30/09

My husband and I met his children here for lunch today and the service and food was so bad, that I felt compelled to write a review immediately so that some other poor suckers would save themselves the misery of a meal here. I'm not snotty or snooty and don't care about the decor in a restaurant, but I do expect decent food and service. This was beyond bad.

We were seated in the Elvis Room (there were 7 of us) and were promptly forgotten about. Finally, one person had to leave our table to hunt down a staff person, who said "Oh, I didn't know anyone was in here". Okay, so we ordered beers and nachos while we decided on what to eat. It took at least 15-20 minutes before our waiter came back with the beer and nachos (hello? couldn't we have our beers while waiting on the nachos?) and it was the wrong type of beer and we were shorted a glass. Our waiter then asked to take our orders and when my husband told me to go ahead and order out of courtesy, the waiter said "Okay I have to leave for 2-3 minutes to check on my other tables if you are not ready to order." What? We politely told him that we were ready and everyone ordered quickly.

The best meal of the table was bland slop. The worst, which was mine, a fish taco (and he forgot the rice and beans that were supposed to come with it) was inedible. I took one bite and that was it. It was fishy, cold and covered in some kind of mayo sauce. Someone else got the chicken sope which was like a hockey puck. The waiter NEVER came back: we ran out of water, I wanted to order something to replace the food I could not eat, and he never brought the extra salsa we asked for. Nothing, nada. We figured that since we were a large group they were tacking on the gratuity and he didn't care.

This place is seriously bad. As we were leaving, I felt like standing on the corner and warning anyone who might be going in. I'm not kidding, this was the worst meal I've had in years.

Pros: Not one

Cons: Everything you go to a restaurant for is wrong here.

Posted 09/26/08

We went to Mama's while vacationing in Seattle. We went on a Monday night and had to wait a few minutes for a table, but it was worth it. We had water and chips & salsa at our table as we were sitting. The chips keep coming, but try to limit yourself as the portions are huge. We had chicken fajitas, beef burritos, and a beef taco. The fajitas were great, real good juicy, flavorful chicken. The beef in the burrito and taco was good, just a bit dry (it's more of a shredded beef style). Service was great. I would recommend.

Pros: relaxed atmosphere, good food

Posted 08/16/08

I've been going to Mama's since I was 16, but most of my Mama's time was when I was in Seattle in the early 1990s, and Belltown was seedy-hip. Now it's condo-land, but Mama's hasn't changed. Ate there twice on my last trip to Seattle--best thing there is the Chicken Tacos, with the homemade tortillas and the amazingly yummy guac--the first night our server suggested squeezing lime on the taco before the hot sauce, and it was really great. Second night we had the sweetest server, and one of the most beautiful people I've ever seen, as our server, and she was really great. Service here can be a bit indifferent sometimes, but most of the time it's friendly and really quick. Only regret--too cold and rainy (April) to sit outside.

Many of my friends order the screamers, and on night 2 my friend ordered the black bean and spinach quesadilla, which looked really good, . Yummy maragaritas too, and, for post dinner lounging, there are fun bars along 2nd Ave. Oh, and get the Elvis room if you can. Very fun.

Pros: Fun staff, friendly service, good food, bizzare-fun decor, great location

Cons: Parking is terrible in Belltown these days--take the bus, or find a cheap pay lot nearby.

Posted 04/30/08

How interesting to see all of the different reviews. I LOVE MAMA'S. I can't think of anything that needs improvement at this funky little place. My absolute favorite is the Nolasco chicken burrito, but I sub enchilada sauce for the ranchero sauce. YUM! We no longer live in Seattle but I make it back to Mama's every trip back home. The staff is always awesome, the margaritas are always great and the fajitas are always sizzlin'. We try to emulate Mama's fajitas at home and just never get it near as good. I read some reviews of the salsa as being watery - it isn't chunky if you like it like that but it's so tasty and spicy hot - it's one of my absolute favorites. If you want great food, great drinks, fast friendly service and a fun environment, there is no other place in Seattle that I'd recommend.

Pros: Great food, great service, good price, fast

Cons: None

Posted 10/07/07

oh this will be fun...

read the reviews, people LOVE this place and people HATE this place. but then i've heard seattle is the passive/aggressive capitol of the world. so let me help you choose wether or not you want to dine here.

if you love the voodoo of seattle's classic grunge-era hangouts, dine here.
if you love no-bull straight up rice and beans style mexican, dine here.
if you love a strong tasty margarita with your spicy greasy carne asada, dine here.
if you love being able to sit at a table, and eat tortilla chips and salsa, stare at tattoos and rock star hair, scoop cheese off your nachos with a fork, and listen to the heart of this city, wearing whatever you damn well please, dine here.

if you've never dined here, dine here.

if you have to complain because your enchilada didn't look like emeril's version of an enchilada, please stay away from mama's mexican kitchen.

if you're too cool to sit at a plain old wooden table and be waited on by a female elvis impersonator, stay away from mama's mexican kitchen.

if you need help feeling special, or you're allergic to everything but rice, or you hate puppies and kitties, stay away from mama's mexican kitchen.

thank you.

Posted 10/01/07

Went here the other night for a friend's birthday party with a large group of people. It has a good ambiance and is a casual place to get a drink/food. Their margaritas are tasty & strong but the food was very lacking in flavor. My enchilada was so so & the bean/chicken burrito I had was horrible. I only ate two bites. Frozen burritos in the grocery store taste better. I also love the statement on the menu "Authenic Southern Californian food". Hmmmm....being a San Diego native I beg to differ. Overall, good friendly service, good atmopshere, good for large parties & good drinks but not good for food.

Pros: Good margaritas, good atmosphere

Cons: The food...

Posted 08/12/07

I ate at Mama's Mexican Kitchen today and the waitress was not only slow, cold and unfriendly, but also the rudest I have ever encountered. I gave her a 20% tip at the end of the meal, but she stormed up to me the moment I left the bathroom on my way out of the restaurant, accusing me of not having given her any tip at all. Her poor service ruined the whole experience. I highly recommend avoiding this restaurant and its terrible service.

Pros: Large portions

Cons: Terrible, rude service

Posted 07/14/07

What a huge disappointment! I am SO not a picky or snooty eater, but I was so terribly underwhelmed with Mama's - you know that sensation when you feel as if you've just wasted good stomach space on a crappy meal? The salsa was watery, but I was still optimistic. And then the food arrived. I ordered a Screamer - an enchilada smothered in "ranchero sauce" - which really turned out to be more of the watery salsa! Bummer. My boyfriend's steak fajitas were presented with all the fixins, but the meat and veggies were sauteed in so much oil that he had a stomach ache after several bites. I tried the meat - and it had pretty good flavor, but the oil grossed me out as well. I was just left wondering: "Who are all these people giving this place a high rating??" I had buyer's remorse for the following 24 hours. I want to trust my fellow diners, but I will think twice before selecting a restaurant based on a high rating on Citysearch again.

Pros: Plenty of seating, prompt service

Cons: The food negates any reason to visit this establishment

Posted 02/12/07

Mama?s was exactly what I was expecting Cozy, Comfortable and Filling. Happy hour drink prices were an added bonus. The staff was friendly and the service quick. The food was a little bland (they do stock a number of quality hot sauces on the table for your enjoyment) but the prices were great. Another great Seattle establishment and my culinary adventure continues.

Pros: Happy hour

Cons: Need more spice

Posted 12/18/06

I love the staff, every time the law firm girls get together we go to Mamas. Cures the midday blues with a little spice. The atmosphere is a dive, but a stylish intentional dive. Screamers are my fav (enchilada) the salsa is okay, I've made better-- but overall there will never be a Mexican Eatery close to my corazon!!!

Posted 11/12/06

You can't live in this city and not love Mama's. Do yourself a favor and get the "Elvis Burrito". It'll change your life.

Posted 10/01/06

A giant Chicken Nolasco and a couple strong margarita's and you too will understand. The staff is pretty hot, too!

Pros: Food, Folks and Fun!

Cons: Usually a wait, but that's a good thing!

Posted 07/29/06

Ive had some pretty bad mexican food but this really takes the enchilada. Ive never had a blander burrito in my life. It tasted as if it was covered a in thin tomato juice. I dont understand how this gets rated favorably - since I think Taco Bell is more flavorfull. I use this place as the bar to determine if you know what good mexican food should taste like.

Pros: Get drunk so you dont have to taste the food

Cons: The food

Posted 06/14/06

The food was okay, though the complimentary nacho chips were definitely stale, jsut heated up a little. Heaping portions left us all full. Although the hostess treated us (and other guests ) as if she didn't care at all, the waitress was friendly. Details kept on being forgotten, such as "no ice". Value for money isn't that great, except for a couple of items in the menu (the tacos).

Pros: decor, maybe

Cons: price

Posted 03/25/06

Over the years, I made many pilgrimages to Mama's to order my usual: beer, chips, and the enchilada plate. I have brought many friends to eat there. A few years ago, I wrote a 5-star Citysearch recommendation of the restaurant. During the past year, however, there has been an abrupt drop in quality. The restaurant now serves stale, store-bought chips. The sauces now carry that "fresh out of the can" taste. On my last visit, my food was brought to my table totally uncooked -- not only was the cheese on top unmelted, but the tortilla was raw, and the sauce was cold to the touch. This problem could have been easily rectified -- if the waitress had ever come back. I finally gave up, took the plate to the cashier, and left.

I will never go back.

Pros: None

Cons: Bad Food, Bad Service

Posted 11/10/05

I have only ever eaten one thing at Mama's, and that is the Veggie Nolasco Burrito. Yum, Yum, YUM!!!!! This is HAND'S DOWN the best burrito, in taste and value, in the entire city! I pay for one burrito, and get two meals! I love the sauce, I love the cheese, I love the rice and beans. My son loves Mama's, too, although he only ever eats a quesadilla. Everyone should go to Mama's, it's delicious!! I've always been seated promptly, had great service, and the food service is really fast. For those of you who have complained about parking, it's BELLTOWN fer criminy's sake!! Take the BUS!

Pros: Burritos, Burritos, Burritos

Cons: Pacifico cost's $4!!!

Posted 06/06/05

This is a great place if you want tasty mexican food at an affordable price. The service is always fast and friendly, and they have great luch specials. Try the Elvis burrito!

Pros: Inexpensive, Quick Service, Great value

Posted 05/20/05

Just had lunch today at Mama's and was pleasantly surprised with the good food. I had the pork verde with beans and rice. The food portion was very generous and not super salty. Seems a lot of restaurants in Seattle use way too much salt in food preparation. The refried beans and cheese were especially good. Service was quick and courteous though the bus boy kept dropping the hot sauce bottle on the next table. Our waitress was definitely showing off her many tatoos all over her back and stomach. Added to the whole experience of the place. This will definitely be on our list of places to go back to. The rest room could be updated.

Pros: Inexpensive, Quick service

Posted 04/01/05

I am not picky about mexican food, whether it's "authentic", tex-mex, whatever, I rarely eat any that I don't like. Whether it's a trendy new place or a cheap taqueria, I'm good with it. Here's the deal: My enchiladas tasted EXACTLY like they were covered in tomato soup. That's all. I am certain that's all it was: Campbell's Tomato Soup. Sure, I like tomato soup. But I don't really want my enchiladas covered in it. After several bites and without saying a word, I asked the person I was with to taste it. She grimaced in disgust and said "Is that tomato soup?!!!"

Cons: Nasty Food

Posted 03/16/05

this is one of my favorite burrito places in seattle. their burritos are absolutely delicious, smothered in sauce and cheese, almost exploding with beans, rice, and veggies (no meat). Never have i been able to actually finish one of those bad boys but i have definately come close. I have been coming to mama's for years and have never been disappointed with the food or the service. such a great atmoshpere, my favorites being the elvis pictures. highly recomended if you are in the mood for some cooked cheese with toppings!

Pros: burritos, decor, service

Posted 12/13/04

One shouldn't have to pay much money for great Mexican food. The food was far too bland for a $10 plate of tacos. The service was fair and the parking was miserable. The only pro was we didn't have to wait long, even with a large party on a Friday night.

Posted 08/19/04

I'll just have to say that I thought moving to San Diego, a mere step from the border, would have brought me closer to the real deal as far as Mexican food and margarita's were concerned, but it's only left me longing for a Mama's shredded chicken taco, deep fried to just the right crispy and generously topped in guacamole for NO EXTRA CHARGE (and I thought avocados grew on trees in Southern CA) preceeded, and maybe followed, by my world's favorite Cadillac Margarita! Miss you- guess I didn't know what I had till it was gone.

Pros: Value, Service, Ambiance

Posted 02/05/04

I did not really like my enchiladas. They were really plain and I think they just used old el paso for the sauce. Oh, but the drinks are strong.

Posted 12/11/03

Mama's is the best Mexi resturant I've ever been to! From the food to the atmosphere, you really can't go wrong with Moma's. The place is just so 'Seattle', you won't see a person who works there without a tatoo or body piercing, and they're accepting of everyone. Definately a must go!

Pros: Reasonably priced, excelent ambiance, fun dining expierence

Cons: bad parking

Posted 09/07/03

This is a make believe mexican resturant. They use canned chiles for their salsa and what's worst is that they use canned chiles for their chile rellenos.
The food is BLAH! I have no idea how this place ever made it on the list. Obviously, the raters don't really know real mexican food.

Posted 08/13/03

I just ate here for the first time last week. I loved the food, it was really fresh & tasty. While the decor is extremely casual, it fits the bill for a nice, relaxing and satisfying Mexican meal. I went with a large group and the service was great. I recommend this place & try the guacamole & nolasco burrito for sure!

Posted 04/23/03

I don't quite understand the hype for this place. Ambience is good, but food is mediocre.

Pros: Ambience

Cons: Mediocre Food

Posted 04/11/03

When I first saw the decor and the prices, I thought Hey, this is divey! This is promising! Looking at the plates that arrived, I thought wed found a Mexican greasy spoon. (Im sure you know the type: bad, but in a tasty, comforting way.) Alas the food was so bad that I cant even recommend it for sentimental reasons. It was greasy-spoon bad, yes, but in a BAD way. On top of all that, its prime location means that its way too busy despite the quality of the food. It only scores as high as it does on the basis of its quirky atmosphere/decor, and an inexplicable soft spot that my inner redneck has for places that arent trying to be culinary temples.

Pros: quirky decor, unpretentious, Belltown location

Cons: too busy, mediocre food at best

Posted 02/07/03

It has a good, party atmosphere with lots of kitsch and Belltown attitude. The chips are good. The food is average or below and definately not worth the price. So many better mexican restaurants in town.

Posted 01/31/03

Unfortunately I decided to try Mama's after reading the Citysearch review. It was the worst food (Mexican or otherwise) I have had in a long time. Tasteless, unauthentic and greasy just about describes what I was served. There are many other places that serve better Mexican and are a better value (Beso Del Sol and Burrito Loco come to mind).

Pros: Salsa, Ambience

Cons: The Food, Service

Posted 01/26/03

Of all the Seattle restaurant fixations - like thinking Dick's makes a great burger or going to Anthony's for haute cuisine - this is maybe the most puzzling. This city has scads of good, solid Mexican places but friends of mine keep trying to drag me here. Problem is, I've been here and it sucks. Mama's plates are ugly, the food is badly seasoned, the whole place smells not of cumin and tortillas but of stale B.O., grease, and Lysol (Thank God for the Lysol!), and the food is so Americanized that even calling it Mexican is tantamount to false advertising. I think it's the name, which conjures up simple, hearty food served by a nurturing, earthy Mother figure. Nothing could be further from the facts. This is Mama as in "Yo' Mama!", a Mother with eternal PMS and no sense of taste.

Posted 12/19/02

If you want really Authentic mexican I really wouldn't go to Momma. Momma's is Mexican American food. The prices are right and you get a lot of food for you buck. The margaritas are good also.

Pros: Friendly Wait-staff

Cons: Parking, Almost always Crowded

Posted 11/30/02

mama's is my very favorite mexican restaurant in the seattle area. the portions are huge, the prices are affordable, and the food is delicious! plus the atmosphere is very laid back and comfortable. all around a great place to eat.

Posted 10/13/02

Mama's is the hangout! Great Mexican food, good Margaritas, and Cheap Prices, especially on a college budget!

Pros: yummy nachos, Killer margaritas

Cons: No Parking

Posted 10/02/02

If you know good Mexican food (like they only serve in San Diego, Houston, Mexico, etc.) you will be REALLY disappointed. However, if you don't know how good Mexican can get, then you'll probably think this place has GREAT food. :)) I thought I would never return after my first dinner here shortly after I moved to Seattle. However, I was brought back 2wice in the last month because of friends, and I have to say, now that I've seen the back rooms (Elvis, Marilyn and Hendrix shrines) and experienced the weekend crowd-watching experience (dressed-down chic Belltowners mixed with eclectic, pierced and tattood crowd), I think that the atmoshpere is fun enough to go back; bland Mexican food should not get in the way of a good time! Good use of cilantra and light cheese on the shrimp quesadilla makes it interesting, if not authentic. Service is great. Ole!

Pros: fun atmosphere, pretty good chips, tolerable mexicanfood

Cons: no Queso!

Posted 09/08/02

For many years, Mama's Mexican Kitchen has been the one constant in trendy, ever-changing Bell Town. Mama's continually offers great food, great prices, and friendly service. The prawn quesadillas are scrumptous, as is the guacamole, as is the salsa, as is...get the picture?

Pros: Inexpensive, Great selection, Great food

Posted 09/05/02

We love going to Mama's after all thes years. The menu has become more creative, the staff is great. Try the blackbean and spinach quesadilla with chipotle sauce..yummy

Posted 09/05/02

Tastes like bland, microwaved, run of the mill psuedo Mexican food every time I've been there. Only live 3 blocks away, but NEVER go anymore. Tired of waiting for it to improve.

Pros: none

Cons: everything

Posted 09/04/02

The quality at this place seems to keep going down. I guess if you want tacos and beans and cheese and salsa mixed together and called mexican food.
I'm just not impressed anymore.

Posted 08/26/02

Well, I live next to Mama's so I go there regularly.. It's not bad food, not the best, but rather tasty.

Posted 08/22/02