Mama’s Pizza House — Restaurant in Phoenix

As someone who grew up in this neighborhood, I’ve seen a lot of changes on this corner over the years. Back when it was Phoenix House of Pizza & Subs, it felt like a local staple, simple, reliable, and made with love. Since then, the name has changed more than once, but unfortunately, the quality hasn’t followed suit. The latest iteration, Mama’s Pizza House, left me disappointed, though I truly hope it can turn things around.

Let’s start with the positives: the staff. The servers were sweet, quick, and welcoming. They’re doing everything right in terms of service, and their kindness is one of the few highlights of the experience. I genuinely felt cared for as a customer.

But then there’s the food. To be completely honest, the pizza did not live up to the glowing reviews I’d read beforehand. My pizza came out overdone, the crust was chewy and crisp, which is strange, and just didn’t match the price point. I found myself thinking, even Little Caesars has served me better pizza, and for a fraction of the cost. The wings, too, were a letdown. Even with sauce, the meat was dry and lacked the juiciness you’d expect from something that should be indulgent and satisfying.

The atmosphere doesn’t help much either. Instead of the cozy, inviting pizzeria vibe you’d hope for, the space feels more like a large breakroom, functional, but not warm or memorable. It doesn’t quite feel like a place that invites everyone in, which is a shame for a neighborhood spot.

I don’t write this to tear Mama’s Pizza House down, but out of hope that it can rise to meet its potential. With such a dedicated and kind staff, there’s a foundation here worth building on. If the recipes and execution could be improved, bringing the pizza and wings up to the level the prices suggest, this place could become something special again. Until then, though, it feels like a missed opportunity in a spot that once held so much...

If you drive by, you might make some quick judgements about MAMA's PIZZA. First, it's in an area that is gentrifying quickly, but still has a large homeless contingent, and older buildings that feel like they don't belong beside the legions of new multi story luxury apartments.

Its one of these buildings that house MAMA's and if take a minute to walk inside, you'll find a clean establishment, full of new equipment, with people working behind a glass partition making fresh pizza dough, preparing pizzas, and quickly putting hot pies out of the oven into boxes. It has a large dining room, but it's bare bones, more cafeteria feeling, than an intimate dining experience. But it's always clean, and the delicious smell of hand crafted pizza makes you want to sit and inhale deeply.

They offer all the usual styles of pizza, all fresh cut ingredients, nothing out of a can. Everything placed carefully on homemade dough, nestled atop a rich sauce. They offer giant New York style slices that take two hands to hold, and whole pies from 14" to a box that nearly two people have to carry. So no matter how many people you are feeding, they will make what you need, from scratch, when you order. No hot and ready under a hot lamp, just steaming hot pizza straight out of the oven.

This is a work of passion and love, by a family that knows how to make irresistible pizza... and yes, you'll find Mama rolling dough tirelessly all day. Enjoy, it's worth the stop... just...

Unexpected gem! Given the location you wouldn't think too much of Mama's Pizza House. But take a chance and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. The restaurant was clean, no trash on tables or napkins on the floor. The staff was very attentive even though the girl working the counter was a little shy she was still helpful. Kitchen looked to be clean as they have a window you could see into the prep station. Also the restrooms were very clean, again given the outside location, pleasantly surprised.

Food was fresh made to order. Wings were fried and personal preference no batter. I find batter coating takes away from the taste. Cheese sticks were good, typical fried sticks. Now for the minus 1 ⭐.... The "garlic knots" were not. No garlic no knots. They were twists resembling the cinnamon twists from TB. Also had a sweet hint with first bite.

So all in all I would frequent again. Any new commers to the area or locals who tend to shy away given the area, DEFINITELY give it a chance. I think you be......