Mama's in Macy Deparrtment stores basements

[Johnson Princhot]

i've heard of this place a lot. can anyone describe the restaurant and what was goood about it. some once mentioned that this cafe served exceptional pastrami sandwiches. also, is it a thing of the past or are there some locations still trudging by. thanks.

[rich]

years ago when i worked in the city---i'd go to mamas for one of the best burgers around---really greasy, juicy ground meat, onions embedded within, on a grilled sour dough baguette. a real treat. rich

[rworange]

Yep, I know ... ancient thread. I was watching Check Please today about Mama's and decided to update the Chow restaurant record.

First of all, I never realized the owners were Latino. The last name is Sanchez. Since they were located in North Beach I always assumed they were Italian.

Which leads me to this question. Has anyone had the Mexican items on the menu?
- Nelson's Rancheros
Two Eggs Poached nestled on Black Beans topped with our Homemade Salsa and served with Home Fries (Grilled Red Potatoes) and Tortillas
- S.O.B. (South of the Border) omelet
Black Beans, Sour Cream, and Salsa
- Quesadilla
Jack Cheese and Green Chili Peppers, with Fresh Homemade Salsa, Guacamole, and Sour Cream

I just assumed they were there because ... well, it was SF and they were accomodating all different tastes. Since I assumed the joint was Italian, I've never ordered any of the Mexican items.

Anyway while updating the restaurant record, I unearthed this old thread.

I was wondering. Why didn't the Mama's locations work out?

The reason I hated Mama's in Macy's probably had nothing to do with the food. I was new in SF and on a Zagat recoomendation I went to the Macy's location and ordered the hamburger

It was my first exposure to that sin against nature - the hamburger on a sourdough baguestte. I was horrified. So wrong. It took me years to ever step into the North Beach location a learn I was missing out on a great breakfast joint ... with great quiche too

However, that was just my taste. If anyone remembers, why did the other locations close?

Also looking at old Mama's threads, there was a report that one of the cooks there went over to the Flower Garden cafe years and years ago. That may explain my devotion to the breakfast at Flower Garden a few decades back.

[Pssst]

Where have you heard about it? There hasn't been a Mama's in Macys for years.

Mama's started out on Washington Square, grew to be a chain, then slowly closed all of its branches except the original one.

The only remaining Mama's is the first. Its at 1701 Stockton, open T-S 8-3. Its still great food though.

[yimster]

Years ago when Mrs. Yimster worked at Macy's (before she was Mrs. Yimster) she would have lunch at the employees lunch room and they would be served Mama's food. She would tell me how good it was and was so sorry when she left Macy's because she would the food.

[Johnson Princhot]

i heard of it from relatives, and specifically something about the patrasami sandwich being quite exceptional. is the pastrami really good?

[Pssst]

I haven't had it. I've only had breakfast items. I do remember seeing some luscious sandwiches go by...

[ed]

as i recall, their breakfasts were pretty popular. i knew them at their geary location.