Ristorante Mamma Maria's

Very old-world Italian restaurant. Service was amazing, they treated us like family. Just the right timing between courses, every one of which was delicious. Really felt like I was eating back at Aunt Lydia's house on Christmas eve. Limoncello at the end was sooo good. Will definitely go back again.

Silly me, after we were seated I asked for menus. Mamma Maria's doesn't roll like that. Glorious. Five courses or seven and entree 1, 2, or 3 are the choices. Like being at my mamas house, the food keeps coming and not a bite was disappointing. Wine is included as is coffee and a cocktail with dessert. Price was very reasonable.

I have very mixed feelings about my first visit here. I had walked by Mama Maria's many times, and always wondered why it was constantly empty. I actually began to feel bad for this business because all the shiny new restaurants along Passyunk seem to be taking away customers from Mama Maria! Now I have a better understanding of what this place is all about. We arrived, got seated at the table, and expected to receive menus to browse and pick what we wanted to eat. We were told "it's all included" but we were never told what the price was or really how this place worked! I have to say that I feel they intentionally hide the price and information so that you don't walk out and leave before eating. The seven courses were served slowly and with good descriptions (again, no menu!) and the service was decent. There was just way too much to eat - so I took home several "doggie bags." I think the two things that make this dinner worth $55 was the fact you don't feel rushed like in many other restaurants, and that wine/cordials were all included. The homemade lemon, basil and cream cellos were a nice touch. The zinger was that when we left the restaurant - we saw a big sign on the sidewalk that read "A la carte menu available". BUT the server specifically told us that there is no such thing! We were forced to order the $55 meal from the start. It was enjoyable, and we left full and happy, but I do just get some creepy feelings about this joint.

I usually don't go out to spend $20 on a plate of spaghetti, but I lived in the neighborhood and a few months ago I thought I'd give Mamma Maria a try. There was a strange, almost farm-like smell in the dining room. I never want to make a big fuss about something that probably can't be controlled, but I just made a light mention of it to the server. An employee (I think it was the owner.. her name started with a P, but I forget) came rushing out of the back shouting "I have IBS! I'll leave the door open and clear it out". I thought that meant that she would open the restaurant door to let some fresh air in, but instead she opened the bathroom door into the dining room, and left the windows closed. The entire room was saturated with the scent of her necrotic bowels within minutes.Some diners made haste in requesting their checks and heading for the exit, but we had only placed our orders, and our bread basket had just hit the table. About 30 minutes after we labored through an entire loaf of stale bread, our entrees arrived. I ordered the Flounder Francese because I wanted something light, but like a Trojan Horse, this fish concealed something sinister inside. I took the first few bites from the edge of the piece, and definitely tasted something odd. So, I began to sort of play with it and move it around the plate while I gauged my repulsion. Suddenly, my fork was caught on something solid in the middle of the dish. I took my knife along with the fork as if I was performing an experimental surgery. As I slowly peeled the flesh back, I saw a face familiar to anyone whose lived in a city long enough. It was a roach. Not just a cockroach- not some disputable brown speck that could be a clump of spices- but what looked like a palmetto bug, about two inches long.I gestured calmly for the server, but owner came sprinting toward us. "How is everything? What's the problem, you don't like the food?"I showed her the intrusive species in my meal and she swiped the plate from the table, like a criminal frantically cleaning up the scene of the crime. I honestly didn't know what would come next- was I sitting there patiently for another bug sampler to come out? Was she pounding away at the POS, trying to erase any trace of this meal from existence? Unfortunately, neither were true. She lounged around in the back of house for twenty minutes or so, and then came out to usher us out the door."How was everything? Do you need a box?""We'll take a box, but you can keep the check." I replied "You served me Roach Francese."She started fuming and called her husband, who looked like Bluto without the Naval valor, to intimidate us. Naturally, our negotiations found a quick resolution, and we ended up paying for one entree, while I stole those two sweet, sweet bites of cockroach pie for FREE. And that small victory they can NEVER take away from me.

As a life long philly native I have a lot of wonderful things to say about this spot. My grandmother, Florence, was a small Italian-German American (1922-2009). She lived in Philadelphia her whole life and her favorite restaurant was Mama Maria's. She was the BEST cook in the universe. No one made better food, and she was a TOUGH critic. But my family always knew a night out with grandmom meant Mama Maria's. It is also my favorite restaurant for this reason. But more importantly: the Scrippelle soup the restaurant serves. Scrippelles are a less known Italian dish that my grandmother mastered and taught me to make too. And therefore are my absolute favorite food on the planet. NO ONE serves scripelles except mama Maria's. NO ONE. And for that reason I give this place 1000 stars. They not only serve the dish, but know how to make them right! The owner of the restaurant was from the same area my grandmothers father grew up in Italy (teramo). Scrippelles are native to this village thus why mama Maria serves them. My grandmother loved this place because the food was top notch, authentic,and a little piece of home for her. It holds a special place in my heart and to this day I haven't found a single place in all my travels that serves scripelles so well like my grandma used to

I was invited to go here along with some friends to make a group of 4 for dinner. The meal was pre set with a salad/soup option, pasta dish, main, and desert. Also they give you digestive alcoholic drinks after dinner. The foot was terrible. For example the chicken soup tasted like it was from a can and the dessert cake was stale.The service was equally as bad. We had to stop the server every time we needed something. He never proactively stopped by to ask us about the food either.If the food and service weren't bad enough the price was the real shocker. $60 per person plus tip!!! I felt like I was paying top dollar for garbage.One final note: ambiance is terrible too. Restaurant was about 80% empty at prime dinner time on a Saturday night and lights were turned off in half the restaurant.

4 stars for the food and 5 for the entertainment. Maria herself - who had a cooking show on PBS for years - was in the kitchen when we came here for Mew year's Eve 2006. (I was wondering why it took me so long to yelp her.)We had a very enjoyable evening. The best part were the home-made meatballs and the (keep it on the d.l.) tray of limoncello and cordials passed after the meal.My only regret is that we have not yet returned.We will!

A truly unique dining experience that we definitely enjoyed! 7 courses and wine for the table included in the price. Bottles of liquor were brought out with dessert to enjoy as much as you would like! Cappuccino also included. We can't wait to return to this lovely, home-like establishment. You really feel like family here.

This food was pretty disappointing. It was soggy and swimming in under flavored sauces. From the bread up through the entrees it was all subpar. I have been to many other places with far better Italian food for the same or less price. I didn't feel satisfied after leaving. We won't be coming here again. The only saving grace was the friendly waitress who appears to be the daughter of the "chef".

Had to update. Went back a few weeks ago and was so disappointed. Food was BAD, especially entrees. The pasta and soup were the best of the bunch. The creamcellos at the end are the highlight. Don't think I'll go back, SO many better restaurants on the Ave!!! Especially considering it's prix fixe and dinner took close to two hours due to slow service, even though there were only two other tables in the restaurant. Decor is dated as well. Don't want to beat a dead horse, but go elsewhere, unless they start a la carte and service improves.