My partner and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary here as well as our domestic partnership! The food and service were truly amazing and delicious. We've eaten at this establishment numerous times, even before the recent remodel and every time it has been amazing. The famous Mac and cheese plus the ossobucco are our to go dishes. Favorite restaurant in San Luis Obispo.
Christina L.
My sister wanted to come here for her bday since it was close by to school. We had a reservation for our group of 9. This is located next to a small plaza. Parking is difficult as there's only a small lot or street parking available but we got lucky with street parking. When we arrived, we were greeted by a friendly waiter. (Turns out this waiter did EVERYTHING- from getting our orders to serving us to cleaning down the tables. Where were the other waiters? I'm confused) Anyways, we ordered the following items: - Spaghetti Carbonara - Orecchiette e Braciole - Baked Penne - Proscuitto Procini - Pizza Margherita - Gnocchi alla Sorrentina - Spaghetti Meatball - Rigatoni alla Salsiccia The food tasted pretty well but because it was a lot of pasta, everything just tasted the same at a certain point. I wish there was a white sauce dish so there was some variety. There was complementary garlic knots which were SO delicious! Out of all the dishes, the main dish that stood out to me is Gnocchi alla Sorrentina as they had the gnocchi sauce on a pie (?). It was quite delicious and definitely unique. My main comment besides the food is concerning the cake. We left the cake in the kitchen and had the waiter grab it for us. He put the candle in and handed us the cake- pretty simple work right? Here's where the fun comes. When we got the bill, we were charged $30?! for "custom cake". I'm sorry I don't understand why simply putting the cake in the fridge, helping us stick our candles that we bought into the cake, and bringing it out is $30. This was quite ridiculous and we were annoyed- Heads up to future people planning a party here: just keep the cake in your own refrigerated container to avoid $30 of surcharge. It would have been nice if we (customers) were informed about these costs in advance before being met with surprise when our bill came.
Isaiah C.
From the moment we stepped into Mama's meatball, we were transported into a quaint slice of Italy, right in the heart of our hometown. The warm, inviting atmosphere, paired with the soft melodies of Italian classics, set the stage for what was to be a remarkable dining experience. The decor, a charming blend of rustic and elegance, with vintage Italian posters and beautifully set tables, created a cozy yet sophisticated setting. It was clear that every detail was thoughtfully curated to enhance the authentic Italian dining experience. Service at Mama's Meatball was nothing short of exemplary. The staff greeted us with genuine smiles and were incredibly knowledgeable, offering personalized recommendations that did not disappoint. Their attention to detail and prompt service added a special touch to our meal, making us feel truly taken care of
Whitney W.
There were five of us tonight at Mama's Meatball, and we had a very good experience. First, making reservations was easy. I called, and immediately got a text confirming. Then today I got a reminder text. I really appreciated that. We arrived a few minutes early, and we were seated promptly. Our waiter explained that it was his 4th day on the job, but he really was excellent. He smiled, and really seemed to want us to be happy. He was quick with drink refills and removing plates. Our dinners were amazing! We all had different pastas, (spaghetti & marinara, spaghetti & meatballs, mac & cheese with short ribs, Tortetacci, butternut squash ravioli,) and each one was flavorful and delicious. Portions were not huge, but filling. Only one of us needed a box to go. Desserts were a slightly different matter. The creme brûlée was outstanding, but the flourless torte and the creampuffs were only okay. I would probably prefer just the gelato by itself. The restaurant is smaller, only about a dozen tables, and at one point a happy birthday song at another table pretty much prevented conversation at our table. I understand MM will be moving in the next 6 months or so to a slightly larger building. Can't wait to try that. When we want delicious Italian, we will always think of Mama's Meatball.
Doug H.
The best We have had. The meatballs and fresh pasta were amazing. The service was fast and friendly. The ambiance was pleasant and intimate. We will definitely return.
Josh Petray
After scouring available options, we chose Mamas MeTballs as a lesser upscale option than Giuseppe’s. Disappointing from the beginning: no host, Open Table confusion, followed by no bread and no salt/pepper. Priced too steeply, this restaurant also lacks A+ service, with that feeling left with us “We just got ripped off.” Funny: coming from the service industry, I just expect more —- especially at your steep price point. Mama mia! I think when people think of Mamas cookin, it’s more homey than this: also more approachable prices. What a rip.
Victoria M.
Came in for dinner on Saint Patty's day. Insane downtown, we got there at 4pm and the restaurant was already filling up. Of course the food was delicious, it always is at Mama's but our service in this chaos was the reason for this review. Damien was kind, attentive, professional and gave us a wonderful experience. The other staff was just as awesome I just didn't catch their names. I was fully expecting a long wait, and to be forgotten but you would never know how busy the place was. The carpaccio was amazing, service was even more amazing!
Stellar service amazing food . Our waiter sky was spot on! The table side tiramisu was the best I've ever had!! mamas meatballs has it going on is truly the best Italian food in the area
NazareeJ
Fantastic! I was recommended this restaurant for our son's 21st birthday. We couldn't have been more happy with the delicious food and generous service! True Italian, fare - flavorful and fresh. Will be back to try out the variety of dishes we couldn't get to today. Thank you for making this a memorable occasion!
Angela Porto
Five stars because the staff is wonderful and the cannoli is good (I don't want to impact their star rating negatively). However, going to pick up desserts and spending money on creme brulee, I'm a little bummed. It was... like a sponge cake? Not that it *tasted* bad, but the texture was grainy and stiff, not a smooth, creamy custard. Perhaps the eggs were over-beaten? Maybe pass on ordering that.Otherwise I hear great things about this place!
Downtown SLO is fabulous. Parking is a challenge. Try to get a spot in the Creamery lot but give yourself a few extra minutes. The effort is worth it. The staff - food - vibe & value are head-turning great! Enjoy!
lauraj
We were greeted at the door and went right to our table. The service was excellent and the food was also excellent. The food was brought to the table fast and it was hot. We will definitely be returning.
Omar Garcia
All I had was focaccia barese but it was so good! Staff super hard working and I observed them making all dishes from scratch in house. Wonderful aroma inside restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
WendyM
We love Cosimo and the staff. Food is very good. Dishes are authentic while accommodating American tastes. I chose the Valentines Day prix fixe special-seafood risotto, with whole shrimp and shellfish. They were very busy Valentine's night but we never felt rushed. We received all of the attention we needed, including pleasant conversation. Frankly I don't know how they pulled that off! Their arancini and pizza are great. We haven't tried everything yet but hope to.
Elias Alagna
Ordered from the to go area and the food came amazingly fast. Everything was still warm and delicious when we got home. The macaroni and cheese with short rib was particularly awesome.
My partner and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary here as well as our domestic partnership! The food and service were truly amazing and delicious. We've eaten at this establishment numerous times, even before the recent remodel and every time it has been amazing. The famous Mac and cheese plus the ossobucco are our to go dishes. Favorite restaurant in San Luis Obispo.
My sister wanted to come here for her bday since it was close by to school. We had a reservation for our group of 9. This is located next to a small plaza. Parking is difficult as there's only a small lot or street parking available but we got lucky with street parking. When we arrived, we were greeted by a friendly waiter. (Turns out this waiter did EVERYTHING- from getting our orders to serving us to cleaning down the tables. Where were the other waiters? I'm confused) Anyways, we ordered the following items: - Spaghetti Carbonara - Orecchiette e Braciole - Baked Penne - Proscuitto Procini - Pizza Margherita - Gnocchi alla Sorrentina - Spaghetti Meatball - Rigatoni alla Salsiccia The food tasted pretty well but because it was a lot of pasta, everything just tasted the same at a certain point. I wish there was a white sauce dish so there was some variety. There was complementary garlic knots which were SO delicious! Out of all the dishes, the main dish that stood out to me is Gnocchi alla Sorrentina as they had the gnocchi sauce on a pie (?). It was quite delicious and definitely unique. My main comment besides the food is concerning the cake. We left the cake in the kitchen and had the waiter grab it for us. He put the candle in and handed us the cake- pretty simple work right? Here's where the fun comes. When we got the bill, we were charged $30?! for "custom cake". I'm sorry I don't understand why simply putting the cake in the fridge, helping us stick our candles that we bought into the cake, and bringing it out is $30. This was quite ridiculous and we were annoyed- Heads up to future people planning a party here: just keep the cake in your own refrigerated container to avoid $30 of surcharge. It would have been nice if we (customers) were informed about these costs in advance before being met with surprise when our bill came.
From the moment we stepped into Mama's meatball, we were transported into a quaint slice of Italy, right in the heart of our hometown. The warm, inviting atmosphere, paired with the soft melodies of Italian classics, set the stage for what was to be a remarkable dining experience. The decor, a charming blend of rustic and elegance, with vintage Italian posters and beautifully set tables, created a cozy yet sophisticated setting. It was clear that every detail was thoughtfully curated to enhance the authentic Italian dining experience. Service at Mama's Meatball was nothing short of exemplary. The staff greeted us with genuine smiles and were incredibly knowledgeable, offering personalized recommendations that did not disappoint. Their attention to detail and prompt service added a special touch to our meal, making us feel truly taken care of
There were five of us tonight at Mama's Meatball, and we had a very good experience. First, making reservations was easy. I called, and immediately got a text confirming. Then today I got a reminder text. I really appreciated that. We arrived a few minutes early, and we were seated promptly. Our waiter explained that it was his 4th day on the job, but he really was excellent. He smiled, and really seemed to want us to be happy. He was quick with drink refills and removing plates. Our dinners were amazing! We all had different pastas, (spaghetti & marinara, spaghetti & meatballs, mac & cheese with short ribs, Tortetacci, butternut squash ravioli,) and each one was flavorful and delicious. Portions were not huge, but filling. Only one of us needed a box to go. Desserts were a slightly different matter. The creme brûlée was outstanding, but the flourless torte and the creampuffs were only okay. I would probably prefer just the gelato by itself. The restaurant is smaller, only about a dozen tables, and at one point a happy birthday song at another table pretty much prevented conversation at our table. I understand MM will be moving in the next 6 months or so to a slightly larger building. Can't wait to try that. When we want delicious Italian, we will always think of Mama's Meatball.
The best We have had. The meatballs and fresh pasta were amazing. The service was fast and friendly. The ambiance was pleasant and intimate. We will definitely return.
After scouring available options, we chose Mamas MeTballs as a lesser upscale option than Giuseppe’s. Disappointing from the beginning: no host, Open Table confusion, followed by no bread and no salt/pepper. Priced too steeply, this restaurant also lacks A+ service, with that feeling left with us “We just got ripped off.” Funny: coming from the service industry, I just expect more —- especially at your steep price point. Mama mia! I think when people think of Mamas cookin, it’s more homey than this: also more approachable prices. What a rip.
Came in for dinner on Saint Patty's day. Insane downtown, we got there at 4pm and the restaurant was already filling up. Of course the food was delicious, it always is at Mama's but our service in this chaos was the reason for this review. Damien was kind, attentive, professional and gave us a wonderful experience. The other staff was just as awesome I just didn't catch their names. I was fully expecting a long wait, and to be forgotten but you would never know how busy the place was. The carpaccio was amazing, service was even more amazing!
Stellar service amazing food . Our waiter sky was spot on! The table side tiramisu was the best I've ever had!! mamas meatballs has it going on is truly the best Italian food in the area
Fantastic! I was recommended this restaurant for our son's 21st birthday. We couldn't have been more happy with the delicious food and generous service! True Italian, fare - flavorful and fresh. Will be back to try out the variety of dishes we couldn't get to today. Thank you for making this a memorable occasion!
Five stars because the staff is wonderful and the cannoli is good (I don't want to impact their star rating negatively). However, going to pick up desserts and spending money on creme brulee, I'm a little bummed. It was... like a sponge cake? Not that it *tasted* bad, but the texture was grainy and stiff, not a smooth, creamy custard. Perhaps the eggs were over-beaten? Maybe pass on ordering that.Otherwise I hear great things about this place!
Restaurantji Recommends
Downtown SLO is fabulous. Parking is a challenge. Try to get a spot in the Creamery lot but give yourself a few extra minutes. The effort is worth it. The staff - food - vibe & value are head-turning great! Enjoy!
We were greeted at the door and went right to our table. The service was excellent and the food was also excellent. The food was brought to the table fast and it was hot. We will definitely be returning.
All I had was focaccia barese but it was so good! Staff super hard working and I observed them making all dishes from scratch in house. Wonderful aroma inside restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We love Cosimo and the staff. Food is very good. Dishes are authentic while accommodating American tastes. I chose the Valentines Day prix fixe special-seafood risotto, with whole shrimp and shellfish. They were very busy Valentine's night but we never felt rushed. We received all of the attention we needed, including pleasant conversation. Frankly I don't know how they pulled that off! Their arancini and pizza are great. We haven't tried everything yet but hope to.
Ordered from the to go area and the food came amazingly fast. Everything was still warm and delicious when we got home. The macaroni and cheese with short rib was particularly awesome.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5