Mama's Cafe Baci — Restaurant in Hackettstown

If you're vegan, and you want to have to be rolled out of the restaurant at the end of the night, this is the place for you!

TLDR version: excellent food in generous portions, welcoming and comfortable atmosphere, if you're dietary needs are strict or you have allergies, they take cross contamination very seriously and communicate with each other about the guests needs. Kind, knowledgeable servers with great attention to detail.

Long version of my review:

I normally don't choose Italian when going out to eat because my husband and I are both vegan and we know how to cook, so we make a lot of veganized Italian dishes at home. But we could never match the level of what we had here. The food was soooo good, and the experience was so friendly and welcoming.

To start, we were greeted warmly right away by one of the owners. He chatted with us a bit about where we were from and if we had any dietary restrictions and told us a bit about his restaurant while our table was prepped. Once sat, a "vegan" sign was placed on our table, we were given vegan specific menus, a hostess told us about the vegan specials, and our server brought us waters and bread right away. It was very clear to me that our dietary restriction had been communicated right away to everyone and we weren't going to need to stress about accidentally being served the wrong version of a dish.

We ordered and while we waited the owner came back to check on us and to let us know all the vegan dishes are prepared separately on separate equipment, which is really good to know if you're worried about cross contamination. Since it was our first visit we were brought a free sample while we waited for our meals which was so unexpected and generous (and it was good)!

Our app (mozz sticks) and our meals (we each got a duet, a sampler of two dishes) were amazing. So much flavor and dimension to the marinara and the pasta sauces, the veg was fresh and cooked perfectly, and the breaded eggplant was spot on (it's so easy to end up with too squishy eggplant). We also shared a delicious slice of vegan chocolate cake which comes from an outside bakery but it was very fresh and I'd have believed it if they said they had just made it.

The portion sizes on the duets are not sampler size at all, they are incredibly generous. I came to the restaurant hungry knowing I was going to be eating a lot but I still had to take half my meal home.

We were welcomed and checked on by it seemed like every server in the room throughout the night even though everyone looked very busy. The thing that stands out most to me is how proactive every server was, seeing what we probably needed and offering before we would even have to ask, but not hovering at all. We never felt like we wanted for anything the whole night but we didn't feel pestered. That's a hard balance to strike sometimes.

All in all this was like the Michelin star experience without the Michelin star prices or pretentiousness. I honestly cannot wait to come back and to bring friends and family here so they can have...

Valentine’s Day was our 2nd time dining here and it exceeded our expectations. My boyfriend is vegan and that’s what attracted us the first time we came. The vegan menu is extensive and they truly care about ensuring the meal is delicious. It’s impressive that the chefs are doubling down in the kitchen - traditional proteins and creative alternatives like eggplant francese and vegan “scallops.” Also, from the moment you walk in, anyone that tends to your table is aware if you have dietary preferences/restrictions.

Working in food ourselves, we know how much prep goes into trying to ensure your establishment runs smoothly and your staff doesn’t feel overwhelmed or agitated. I must say that Mama Baci knocked it out of the park last night. Everyone had a smile. Everyone wished you a Happy Valentine’s Day. Either it was the head chef or owner who greeted you as soon as you walked in and was assisting the hostess in confirming who was there with/without reservations. We were late by almost 30 minutes and not only did they not stipulate us, we were given a table relatively quickly.

One specific interaction that I was impressed with was a food runner who observed my boyfriend’s meal, was able to tell it was from the vegan menu just by looking at it, and offered to get him shredded vegan cheese to sprinkle on top. I thought to myself wow, just by looking she knew what he had and in that quick pass she thought to offer to get him additional cheese, in the midst of all the other tables she was helping tend to for the holiday. And she also brought me extra bread which is FANTASTIC. As was the coffee - they have GOOD coffee.

We drove over an hour to dine here both times and will happily do it again and again. Whether you’re local to Hackettstown or it’s a little out of the way, I encourage you to make the drive because it is beyond worth it. You can spend your ride there enjoying the mountainous scenery, then spend your ride home recalling the delicious meal you just had.

Kudos to everyone at Mama Baci, from the head chef, to the dish washers that keep up with plates and utensils. Lots of appreciation, we already can’t wait...

HACKETTSTOWN: From catering for an event with the Dalai Lama, hosting the Happy Gilmore film crew and NJ native Queen Latifa, to knowing Gene Simmons and carrying his Money Bags soda brand, Mama's Cafe Baci can now add a couple of famous pups to their clientele list with Brie and Nugget having visited!

Mama's Cafe Baci is a wonderfully dog friendly restaurant and one of the best businesses we have visited in our 7+ years of taking Brie on her adventures! Mama's has been in business for over 50 years and we were thrilled to be invited by the owner's son, Austin, who is heavily involved in the business and very forward thinking when it comes to amazing food options, dog friendliness, and community.

We were treated to an amazing lunch of fantastic classic Italian food and they even specialize in vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy free, and keto options! The portions are huge and we indulged in vegan chicken parmesan, vegan chicken francese, vegan penne vodka, focaccia, orzo, selections from their full bar, and only wish we had room for dessert. For each dietary option you are looking for, the menus are HUGE! The hostess also shows the specials on an iPad, which we thought was awesome!

Dogs even get to dine in luxury with their special Pooch Cafe menu! Nugget and Brie spoiled themselves with a pumpkin spice latte using healthy ingredients from another local business in the area, Barkista! And their main course was "The Royal Prince" which came with filet mignon tips. They also have other pup-friendly options of meatballs, salmon, chicken, bacon, and even dessert of vanilla ice cream and peanut butter. All the dog options are gluten-free.

Leashed and friendly dogs are allowed outside at the Pooch Cafe portion of the restaurant which is located in a cozy space along the side of the restaurant, and when not busy, in the back. The space is open all-year-round and blankets can be provided when it gets chilly. They can also provide water bowls and clean-up baggies. We had excellent service from Ava, Sheri, and the rest of the crew and felt so appreciated by the warm welcome and excitement that we...