Mamma Zu's

04/09/2008 Posted by EdMaple

I can sympathize with the reviewers that had a bad experience with the service, but that has not been the case in any of my visits. The place is what it is. It's not TGI McTuesdaygans. It's not Chez FooFoo. It is a dive. It is loud. If you don't get seated in the first group, just forget it. That said, the food is excellent. I have had some of the best restaurant meals I've ever eaten there. Seafood and pasta are cooked properly, and the deserts are excellent. The best Tiramisu I've ever eaten! Try Edo's Squid as well for another unique dining experience.

Pros: Food, food, food.

Cons: It's too small.

01/28/2008 Posted by misterdub

The customer service is awful. Let me just get that out of the way right now. We were going with a large party (7 people) and called to make reservations. The fellow taking our reservation was curt (bordering on rude). The wait staff, while knowledgeable, was rushed and somewhat disinterested. Because of the time of day that we came and the size of our party, we were told we could only order "family style" meals and therefore could only order 4 dishes. They don't take credit cards except Amex, which was also a pain. We knew that going in but the wait staff didn't mention it until the end. Had we not known, that could've been really bad. All in all, the customer service made it feel as though we were catering to their needs. In a restaurant, I expect it to be the other way around. All that said, the food was fantastic. Almost worth putting up with the rest. I had some of the best Eggplant Parmesan there that I've ever had in my entire life. All the other dishes were excellent as well. The atmosphere was cool in my opinion. I see others have griped about it so be prepared: it's a dive. It looks run down outside and inside. Tips: Skip large parties here, it's a pain. Avoid the dinner rush, you'll never get a seat. Don't go there when you want to be pampered or when you're in a rush. This is a city dive and you'll be treated as such. I do recommend going though -- the food was outstanding.

01/12/2008 Posted by nyer99

I'm a picky Italian, from the northeast, and this place offers great Italian food! The atmosphere, wait, and service are all part of the experience...but if a "hole in the wall", long wait, slow service aren't part of what you want with your excellent food, then try the sister restaurant Edo's Squid, which offers a similar menu but "fancier" digs. My favorites: scungilli, broccoletti, orecchietti, rockfish, and the ny strip steak...

Pros: Food, wine, atmosphere

Cons: Location, service

10/18/2007 Posted by sobored

I have been in Richmond for several years and have heard good reviews about this place. I finally got an opportunity to go for a friends final day at work party. OMG.... this place was a total dump. But I didn't let that turn me off because usually the run down places have good cooks.... however I was thoroughly disappointed. We had to be served large portions because of the size of the party and all the dishes seemed alike to me. They all had the same type of noodles (rigatoni) with some vegetable or maybe a meat thrown in. I assume my party wasn't aware of other maybe better choices from the menu...or maybe they just aren't available if u come with a crowd. I do know that the food was terrible...how do u mess up a simple pasta dish is beyond me. Also it cost me at least $15 and I was still hungry because I didn't eat much. Least to say I will not be returning...

10/09/2007 Posted by julesagogo

I've been to Mamma Zu's about twenty times, and sure, the service can be curt and the wait long, but let me tell you - it's worth it. This place rocks with a wonderful selection of fabulous dishes. A couple of my favs are the gorgonzola pasta, sauteed calamari, brocoletti, and the white pizza they make at the bar. Don't let the location, the exterior, the interior or the staff scare you away, this place is fantastic. OR actually do let them scare you away so I don't have to wait as long.

Pros: Incredible food, nice and not-fancy ambience

Cons: Curt service, wait

07/11/2007 Posted by declan5

Apologies to my sainted grandmother, but given the choice of a last meal as a condemned man, I would without hesitation, demand a final taste of Mamma 'Zu. I should say that I am a former employee (years removed) and before that a regular patron (I've never had better tiramisu...which I had to boycott upon my hiring, otherwise I'd easily weigh 400 lb.s) I read reviews damning them for bad service and granted it can be downright rude at times...SHAME on the woman who implied that perhaps her race was the reason for her wait/ treatment at Mamma 'zu...(In fact, that is what urged me to write this review.) Let's be honest, service can be curt...only because it has to be (I'll happily leave the "hostess" to be be your punching bag...as we all know, at times he deserves it! ) You see that line outside the door, starting at times 30 minutes before service, you need to streamline things (imagine you're that person waiting for a table and there appears to be a party "lounging" after service...courtesy has got to enter in somewhere) It's a very small space (16 tables at most...an earlier poster said 30...not true) Logistics aside, most people come here for the FOOD. I've never had better Italian. (It pains me to say that having grown up in Boston...ANTHONY!) (Aside from my list of favorites the menu is changed DAILY.)Mozzerella & Peppers, Rapini, Sardines, Fried Oysters, Vitello Tonnato, White Pizza, Penne Gorgonzola, Zuppa de Pesce, Veal Sweetbreads, Eggplant Parmesan, Grilled Branzino, Bucatinni Alla Matriciana, Tiramisu...ETC. So, If you're willing to let go of the thought of being pampered and want to taste True Italian Food, (with, if you're lucky, a live action soap opera) ENJOY!

05/19/2007 Posted by chubz19

We were aware that Mama Zu's had horrible service. We wanted patiently for 1 1/2 hours even after being told it was only 45 minute wait. After confronting the hostess/manager we were told he called our name with no response. If you have been to Mama Zu's you will know the restaurant is very small and it is extremely hard to not hear you name being called. I confronted the hostess and he threw us out after I was very stern with him but told him I understood he was very busy. . I have never been kicked out of a restaurant before. On lookers were shocked and could not believe we were escorted out. Granted I am Indian and my husband is very Caucasian. Whether this contributed to our departure I do not know. But I will never go back to the restaurant again. I cannot comment on the food but only the service. Just be forewarned the even in Richmond rudeness awaits all.

Pros: none

Cons: poor service

03/29/2007 Posted by longestjd

If you show up when everyone else shows up to eat, YOU WILL WAIT. If you are there while everyone else is eating, there are 3 servers and 30 tables, DONT EXPECT TOP NOTCH SERVICE. Other times, its great service and no wait and you get right to the charm. Its a grand combination of authentic itallian food (I just got back from Rome 2 weeks ago) that you might find in a trattoria located in a blue collar neighborhood. Yes, alot of the restaurants over there will have you squinting at a chalkboard. But if your a regular, you know what you want (Rockfish or Voglio). No doubt Mama Zu does go overboard with adding alot of garlic and giving you a large portion. But who said that is a bad thing??? Now you take this great authentic food from a blue collar Itallian neighborhood and you combine it with the atmosphere and service you expect as it is located in an authentic Richmond blue collar neighborhood (Oregon Hill - Its actually a great neighborhood if you stick around, I lived 1 block away for 4 years), and its Mama Zu. The white pizza is amazing. The white clam sauce is amazing. Yes the Tiramisu is amazing (though I can tell you where to find better about 1/4 mile from the Vatican). But the Rockfish will leave you speechless.

Pros: Food, beer, wine, dessert, price, wine glasses, price, food, price, rockfish.......

Cons: Yah they dont take credit, otherwise you cant beat it.

01/18/2007 Posted by hschooly1950

Had my first and last meal at Mamma Zu's for lunch in mid-Jan of 07. Due to the size of our party (6) we had to order family style meals rather than individual. The hostess was female, rude and appearred to have just gotten out of bed. The food was average. Nothing more, nothing less. The lunch came out to around $15 per person and it wasn't worth it. So for all you Richmonders who love Mamma Zu's PLEASE keep on lovin it because then you'll be one less person in the restaurant I'm in. If you are from out of town visiting Richmond and feel Richmond is a sh1thole then visit Mamma Zu's. It will only endorse that opinion. Enjoy!!

Pros: Water is free

08/25/2006 Posted by southsidepoolgirl

Aw, come on! Mamma Zu's is by far the best Italian food in the Richmond area! Consider the neighborhood...a funky mix of professionals, students and what's left of the one-time blue collar neighborhood. The decor is extremely casual, e.g., juice glasses for the wine (you want printed menus? go to a chain.), the music, a mix ranging from Elvis to Pavarotti. The service, well, is reminiscent of Seinfeld's "Soup N...," but so what? That's part of the experience! (I'm just kidding about the Soup N...) Get there early or late (before 6 or after 9). If you've never tried the rockfish, it's the best thing you'll ever put in your mouth and the tiramisu is to die for! Mamma Zu's is not just a restaurant, it is an Italian experience at it's best.

Pros: You feel like part of a large Italian family!

Cons: None.