Mamas On Washington Square

A wonderfully cozy dining experience. I arrived on a moderately busy Saturday morning and found a line already formed along the sidewalk. After making my way through the entryway, there was a brief wait at the register, where I could see into the kitchen and admire the daily pastry selection—sure to whet your appetite. I decided to try their special: Dungeness Crab Cake Benedict. The crab cakes had a delightful crispy crust and were packed with tender crab meat, enhanced by a rich hollandaise sauce. The poached eggs were spot on, featuring a luxuriously runny yolk. Combined with a refreshing Orange Juice Mimosa and the restaurant's warm, welcoming atmosphere, my visit was genuinely enjoyable.

Mama's is a North Beach staple with a homey feel. The menu features classic American brunch fare. Considering how this neighbhorhood institution is notorious for its long lines, we were lucky to only have waited 15 minutes on a weekend. Their famous Monte Cristo had surprisingly thin layers of ham, turkey, and cheese layered between 3 thick slices of basically french toast. I'm not a fan of the bread to protein and cheese ratio. The saving grace of the dish was that homemade jam! The Banana Walnut Bread felt dense, moist, and super sweet. Brunch didn't quite impress me, but I did leave with a full tummy!

Mama's has been around for such a long time, and I haven't visited since 2013! The interior has a cozy, bed-and-breakfast vibe and feels very homey and vintage. It now operates on an order-and-dine system, and we had no trouble finding available seats. The service was attentive and prompt. My boyfriend ordered the breakfast sandwich and really enjoyed it, while I opted for the Florentine scramble, which I found delicious and incredibly savory. My friend tried the northwest scramble and liked it, although I took a bite and wasn’t a fan. Overall, it’s a solid breakfast spot, but I wouldn't say it had any wow factors.

Groovy, homey little corner joint with fast, friendly service on a rainy weekend. Fairly broad menu of tasty offerings. We came here specifically because the husband is always in search of the elusive Monte Cristo sandwich and found online that they offered one. He reports that the Monte Cristo was very good. I enjoyed my selection of the North Beach Benedict with grilled tomato and prosciutto, even though it was on the salty side. The freshly squeezed orange juice was delicious (don 't skip it! . Bottom line: We 'd definitely head here for brunch again if in the area.

"This is our favorite place to eat whenever we visit San Francisco! We came here based on a recommendation, and it definitely exceeded our expectations. The Monte Cristo sandwich was delicious—cooked to perfection with a light golden-brown crust and served at the perfect temperature, not cold at all. The service was quick, and the staff was very friendly. Even though the restaurant is small and cozy, we were able to find seating right away. Overall, it's a wonderful spot for a meal. Highly recommended!"