Mama Gina's — Restaurant in Fort Worth

Mama Gina's

Stopping was an act of kismet. Headed to Ft Worth for Museums and peck ish. A quick google search and we arrived at Mama Gina's.

6 tables, seating 14-15 max. This is NOT fast food. There isn't a microwave here. This is like going to G-ma's house. You'll get it when you get it but with love, a hug and super happy taste buds. The recipes are Mama Gina's grandmothers, the cakes are made by Mama Gina's mother. Coffee isn't sitting on a warmer, it's made fresh for You. A special (literally a special Special) everyday.

There's too big a story to tell about this remarkable woman, her food, her staff, her mission. We widely sampled her menu and there wasn't anything to Improve on. The clean plates were testament to that! We took 2 of each dessert on our two trips (4 day weekend) to go and feasted on those each evening.

We devoured Red Beans n Rice, breakfast sandwiches vegan and carnivorous, fried cabbage (!!!) remarkable collards, cheese grits that I could eat n eat n eat and a pancake special. My only regret is not being to eat there daily.

It was long time server Shirley's last day, a bittersweet day for them but the personal greetingfrom Mama, newbies n regulars will keep her establishment full.

Mama Gina does all kinds of community outreach. When we were there she was collecting canned food for Her church. They were big boxes of books and I watched a young one come in who is encouraged to choose from the many books to read the book and then come back and tell Mama gina about the book and she would get a free dessert. The smile this little doll had on her face when she got a free book and brought it back to her mom to begin looking at the pictures said it all.

What really touched my heart was that Mama Gina feeds local homeless every day she is open. I don't mean handing them a Styrofoam container and sending them on their way. They get the same food you and I get, a plate, a knife and a fork, a listening ear, dignity and love. That money comes out of Mama Gina's slender pocket. I'm going to ask you a favor and pay it forward. When you go and have one of her delectable meals, buy one for someone...

I got take-out for lunch with my neighbor today. She picked it up and I didn't go inside but she said it was cute and clean inside with a couple tables that looked like people could dine-in. The gentleman that took the call when I ordered was so professional and helpful and everything was accurate. I tried everything pictured and you can tell the chef is passionate about what she does because the quality and taste was top notch! The mac and cheese was BOMB! Not overcooked and so flavorful. The little jalapeno cornbread bites were good and left me wanting more. The greens and cabbage were flavored and cooked to perfection, in my opinion. None of the food, including those were overly greasy/oily which I really appreciated. The smothered ranch chicken was tasty and tender. The shrimp and grits (which is one of my favorite things to order on any menu) was very impressive. Tails off and CLEAN shrimp all the praise hands!!! and cooked perfectly, not overcooked. The grits were fluffy and creamy! Add some hot sauce and wowza! Everything was packaged nicely and included all I needed to eat wherever without making a mess.

My only constructive comments aren't even really constructive, may be more a matter of preference...although I think the plastic containers they used look so much nicer, when it comes to the hot food such as the shrimp and grits, I think it gives it a bit of a plastic-y taste. Styrofoam bowls may be a better alternative. Also, we got the bourbon glazed banana pudding and all I could taste was liquor. You can tell a lot of scratch cooking went into it from the texture but wow--I had the afterburn that you get after taking a shot and I think the cookies must literally be soaked in bourbon. We did not care for that personally. We also got the peach cobbler. It wasn't bad but not spectacular but I also didn't have vanilla ice cream and I tried it cold and we all know that's not how to approach peach cobbler. :P I would still like to try the other two desserts when I visit again.

This place is a gem and I will 100% be back to try...

Very welcoming, exceptionally clean and a wonderful balance between splurging and “healthy”… mac&cheese really is real cheese - it is gooey and creamy like it is supposed to be - not pasty as I find it to be everywhere else…collard greens look and taste as if they came out of a garden - not a can with mostly stems as I find everywhere else…. The main entree was wonderful- but the sides were uniquely amazing; candied yams are diced as pictured - that was not to my liking- but it was a quick fix- they are very tender so I easily mashed them with my fork, added a bit more cinnamon and sugar - and I had wonderfully textured sweet potatoes in less than a minute …. and they have a wonderfully tangy meatloaf without tomato sauce - and that is a wonder alternative to the high sodium traditional tomato based topping for meatloaf…. It was all refreshingly different- yet familiar - great job...