Mama's Boy — Restaurant in Oakland

I am poor and I wanted to try a new type of pizza for me today. When i came in i saw the price per slice, which was $5.50, which to me was a lot but i thought i would give them a chance because the previous tennant was my favorate pizza chain at one point. After i ordered, i watched the price suddenly go up to $6, which was concerning but i assumed it was tax.Then what would my apitite was looking at the final price. $8.06? I was already ready to leave. I didnt want pizza anymore. But they couldnt just refund me and let me leave. So i thouht i would try it. The only thing keeping me from making this 1 star was the service. They noticed my dissastifaction and gave me two peices, which was very nice of them and i appreciate the concideration. However, i couldnt eat the second piece because the first one was so bad. The Pizza was aful tasting. Tasted like an ash tray. Had a decent amount of peperonis, but it was just greesy cheese and no real flavor from the sauce. I can still taste the burnt crust and I can guarantee 1 slice did not taste like it was worth $4 let alone $6 or even $8. I probably should have never went there. But I gave them a chance. I refuse to blame the staff. But I'm from this area and I know their rent must be outrageous to sell their pizza at such a high cost. My favorite pizza chain that moved out of there years ago was always more expensive and lower quality than other locations, I should have remembered before trying. Note I wasn't really hungry and just wanted to try a different style of pizza. Just one slice. I learned that this is not the type of pizza for me. I struggle to find good pizza and gave up when my most recent favorate local shop changed management and the dough quality went to garbage. I haven't went for a slice for about 2 years so maybe it's the sticker shock. Please don't listen to me, go for yourself if you like that style. It might be great all I know. But what I do know is that no single piece of pizza should be $8. If you like this buisness, please find these guys a cheaper location so they don't have to feel like to rob its customers just to make ends meet and can stay in buisness. The staff deserves beter than to be at fault when a potential customer can't afford a single slice. And if the staff members who were working at the time, thank you for your excellent service. I'm sorry the pizza wasn't tasty. I really wish it was. I wanted a nice pizza place to go to from time to time but I simply can't afford pizza Anymore it seems. Needless to say I won't be coming back. But if you like this style of pizza, give them a try because the service is good if service matters to you. It matters enough for me to write this long review and not leave a one star. Few people value service and even less people value their customers like in the old days. So when i see people try, I try to be my best as well. So I'm sorry, I...

Wow, SO GOOD! For my money, this is definitely the best NY style slice downtown. Great texture on the crust. Crisp, tender, chewy and THIN. Beautiful balance of flavors and texture and overall, man, what a pleasure to eat.

I really appreciate that I’m not feeling bloated from the crust, which can sometimes happen. Also, plenty of flavor but none of the slices were greasy. There was a little more grease from the pepperoni slice, but no need to dab at any of slices with a napkin. And personally, no heartburn from the pepperoni either.

I’d buy any of these slices again for sure. Easily the best cheese and pepperoni slices I’ve eaten this year, no question. My favorite slice of the three was the sausage slice. The pepperoni was great, but the way that the sausage was fantastic; really craggy, crumbly pieces with an assertive (not dominant!) fennel seed flavor coming through, which I loved.

All told, these 3 slices and the side of ranch(including tax) came to $16.30 as of April 2023.

Definitely check out these slices, this crew really seems to know what they’re doing! When I went I was told that the meatballs weren’t ready yet, which I was initially bummed about. But I’m really glad I got to try the pizza!

Next time I’ll definitely pick up a meatball sub. If as much care and attention to detail goes into it as is evident in these slices, it’s bound to be great. I’ll be a repeat...

The pizza is great, but the experience is absolutely horrible. They are regularly 20-30 minutes behind on pizzas even if you order over 2 hours ahead for a specific pick up time they will tell you it will be another 20-30 minutes when you get there. I requested a pickup time of 7:30 and it’s now 8:25 and I still don’t have the single pizza I ordered. That means in 55 minutes I’ve been waiting here even though I ordered the pizza online at 5 pm they still can’t produce a pizza.

It’s always chaotic and seems like the person taking orders for walk-ins is not efficient and doesn’t always type in the details like if a pizza is for here or to go. I watched a guest get flustered when their pizza was finally ready 40 minutes later and it was served for here instead of take out as they requested; the communication between the cashier/pos system to the back kitchen is severely broken.

I want to keep coming here, but after 3 attempts this is so frustrating especially given the copious amazing pizza options in east bay. Highly recommend people check out State Flour Pizza or Square Pie Guys instead.

disappointed...