Mama's Soul Food Restaurant — Restaurant in Tampa

I haven't been to this place in over 5yrs, but I remember my last visit was great. The food was awesome, and the service was on point. Therefore, I was excited about my visit this time. Well, I was instantly disappointed! I was not greeted when I came in, which was OK bc I went to look at the menu first. Then I went to the server, Nicky (according to my receipt), and she just stared at me as she waited for me to tell her my order, no hello nor smile. I decided to break the ice and be patient bc people are allowed to have bad days. I said hello, how are you. She was reluctant to answer but eventually said good but still no smile. As I paid for my food, I was having issues with my card and the machine, and she wasn't trying to help until I asked her questions but even then, she was not happy to help. I really wanted to walk out just from my experience with her alone, but I decided to push thru. We wanted parmesan chicken wings, and her response came off in a rude tone: we don't have parmesan - she could have apologized for the inconvenience and recommended something else, but nope! I went to sit down and wait for the food. As I waited, I saw Nicky pick and choose who she offered great service to. The picture that was displayed to me was if you're a friend or regular customer, she smiled and had easy conversations with you, but if not, she was just very transactional and robotic like. After all the customers left, Nicky sat down to eat and watch the TV. When the food came out, she walked over to get it and placed it on the table, barely making eye contact. My guy said thank you, and she did not respond nor look back to acknowledge him. She sat down once again to eat and watch TV. As we walked out, she watched and did not say a word. Thank you for coming in or have a nice day would have been sufficient, but I guess that was too much for her. Thanks to Nicky, I will never return to Mama Soul Food! I don't just pay for the food, I pay for the whole package, including great service!

The food was OK. The rice, mac and cheese, and pulled pork were very bland. The hot wings, baked chicken (dark meat), cabbage, and collards were decent. However, it was not enough to compensate for the awful service provided. I assume Nicky is from the island; therefore, there is a cultural difference, but business is business! Do it right, or don't...

This week...I always wanted soul food cooking had a horrible thanksgiving because my mother or aunt normally cook but both are deceased now. So I decided to try this restaurant mama's soul food!! It rang a bell of home sweet home! I got there the atmosphere was awesome and peaceful. Was greeted by a young lady with hat and a young boy. I wanted chitterlings came to 18.00 and some change for what I ordered. Sweet potato pie 2.95. As soon as I walked away from the register I saw a young lady make a to go plate! I wasn't sure if it was mine but when I looked around it was just me and another man sitting to wait for pick up. I saw the young lady put a scoop of something in a bowl. The young man went and picked up the first take out box gave it to the man. He started to chit chat with an older guy at the register. I looked over still saw that take out box still sitting there! The young lady behind the line started calling the young man Demetrius to tell him that the food is getting cold sitting here. He laughed and mocked her about how she was suppose to ring the bell, when he had just left there and saw all that food needed to go somewhere! Finally after about ten minutes a young lady came from the back with braids looked at me and realized I hadn't got my food yet! She bagged it and brought it over. I said to her I know that wasn't my plate the whole time sitting there? I touched the chitterlings it was not hot but a nasty warm! I picked up the sweet potatoes pie and it was so smile I could eat it with one bite and I am not even that big!! Poor quantity for quality! I gave the food back to the young lady she went to warn them. I stood and waited about 2 minutes, but I didn't see the young lady that made the plate earlier come back out and remake a plate. At some point I realized they were warming the plate up!! Huuuhhh!!! I bet my bottom last dollar whoever mama is didn't play that! I would hope who is running the store is keeping a legacy going of good food, great hospitality, and fast service of hot food! My first time at...

Walking in your greeted by gospel music and a nice smell of food. BUT, When trying to make our order, the server was constantly walking past the table and not hearing us telling that we're ready. The lemonade was basically countryside mixed up. I figured since it was a home cook meal kind of restaurant, I was expecting an actual original strawberry lemonade. My mom had to request for a new fork just to eat her food because the fork inside her napkin was dirty. When the food came to the table, it smelled great! But when we started again I noticed how salty the food was. Particularly the lima beans and the gravey that went over the rice. The rice by itself was fine, the gravy make it hard for me to eat. I don't even have high-blood pressure but I could feel myself getting sick and a bit dehydrated by the food due to the salt. The baked chicken was fine by itself; very tender and was falling right off the bone. I understand that it's a black-owned restaurant but it shouldn't mean that the food has to be saturated with salt. We ended up taking the food home and boiling the salt out of most of the food. I would like to support this restaurant more, but I can't do so until they reduce the amount of sodium in their food products. Until that happens, sadly I won't be returning. Also, it's a good thing that they have an automatic gratuity for big parties because my mom was not happy with the service that we received at all and she was paying nearly a $15 required tip on a bill less than $100 for service that was NOT up to par for a restaurant that had been highly recommended for...