Mamas Kitchen - Breakfast & Lunch — Restaurant in Tampa

Not sure if two stars is worthy. I went here for breakfast and even though I had to wait outside due to two separate parties waiting right inside the door blocking entry, I also had to wait just as long inside the door for someone to acknowledge me even though I saw employees go back and forth passing me. Once someone acknowledged me they just said hello and walked away. 10 minutes later the same employee returns, points and tells me just to go sit over there. I sat down and waited another 10 minutes for someone to finally come over and asked if I wanted something to drink. I was then able to have leisurely time to drink two cups of coffee before a server even came over to acknowledge. The server took my order and I waited over 25 minutes for the arrival of my food. Yes they cook to order. Yet for some reason other people that ordered after me received their food first. My food arrived and was not correct and took another 20 minutes to get it corrected. She asked me if everything was okay without even listening to my response as she walked away. By that time my breakfast was cold. When I asked the server for a to-go box that took less than two minutes to receive. The manager was there yet never came over to the table as he used to do to all tables. Also, when I received my bill, what I ordered was $2.08 more than stated on the menu and because the server forgot to put my order in correctly, I was charged additionally even more.

This restaurant used to be much better. There was better service and there seemed to be more attention to detail and customers. I find it hard to want to return to this restaurant due to the poor service, poor food, and...

I come here often because the food is consistent and the service is excellent. Whenever I have guest from out of town, I bring them here for a quick, nicely priced bite. But after this last visit, I will never come here again. While eating my food a roach ran across the table. The waitress saw it and immediately got the manager. He came out and started talking with his thick accent so I couldn't understand what he was saying. I know his accent was stronger than normal because I have spoken to him several times, hes normally at the register or interacting with guest. He proceeds to make it seem like I was lying about the roach to get a free meal. I was still in the middle of eating and it was less than $10. Maybe in his country they eat with roaches but it's frowned upon in America. This idiot had the nerve to ask me where the roach was. Like it was going to sit there and wait for his appearance. The waitress saw it yet he made it seem like I was lying. I will never understand the bias of foreigners that come to our country and think they are better than. That roach was moving fast so they obviously haven't sprayed in a while. His piss poor attitude when he knew it was wrong is what bothered me the most. So Mama's Place has lost a regular customer as well as future new customers!! Which is sad because this was my go to greasy spoon. The tall, foreign guy thats balding needs a class in American...

The diner I frequented as a child then later as an adult and finally, creating a mom and son weekend breakfast tradition (passing on the happy memories of my childhood to my son) had sadly come to an abrupt end. Forced to find a comparable replacement, the search was on!

My son and I tried several local places but none shared that "at home" feeling like we had been accustomed to with our former diner. That is until we found Mama's Kitchen.

Ironically, it is owned by folks from Greece as was the former diner we used to frequent. The personable service is bar none, stellar. Everyone and I mean everyone at the restaurant is pleasant and courteous. They are attentive with a sincerity that is hard to come by these days. Then, there is the food. While I haven't tried everything on the menu, I have had quite the variety. From the Greek salad to eggs any way you want them to the Pastitsio to liver and onions (my fave), everything and I mean everything meets and exceeds the yummy standards to keep you coming back again and again and again.

When you are there, take note of the mural showing Tampa back in the day. I love this! It is always clean and the restrooms are impeccable.They also have a very strong delivery base (UberEats, Grubhub, etc.).

Overall, the replacement of our once family tradition diner far exceeds our expectations and has quickly become our new mom and son...