What is your favorite "Mom & Pop" eatery?

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I am convinced that the best food that can be bought ready-to-eat is at the tiny, Mom & Pop, hole-in-the-wall places. Sometimes it is even better than at expensive restaurants. A perfect example is "Mama's Bakery & Lebanese Deli" at 4237 Alabama Street in San Diego. The place is nothing to look at, but is always packed at lunch time, and their food is melt-in-the-mouth delicious and about half the price of eating at a sit-down table service restaurant. Most people say it has the best falafel in San Diego County. What is a typical place like that which you go to a lot? (Any type of food).

[Kire]

1. There's a place called "Mama's Pizza" where I live

They're so successful, they keep expanding and getting more and more like a gourmet restaraunt. I don't like going there.

There is a real hole in the wall in the same town that I believe has the best pizza around.

BTW, there are 11 pizzerias in my zip code (in and around town).

[jpgray]

2. Do you live in the Twin Cities?

We have a great Mama's here as well. Plus Bombay Bistro is out of this world for Indian food, though Everest on Grand is no slouch in this department.

[Kire]

3. Hackettstown, New Jersey

I have family in the Twin Cities. I'll have to try the pizza when I go out there next month.

I went to a place called "Buca's" (I think that's what it's called) in the Twin Cities area a few years ago. It's a chain because they had the same restaraunt in West Chester, Pennsylvania. It was very good Italian food.

[jpgray]

4. Punch Neapolitan Pizza is probably your best bet for great 'za here

It's by Cleveland and Highland in St. Paul. But Mama's is great too!

[Kire]

6. I probably won't make it

I'm only going for a weekend, and there's a wedding on Saturday.

I don't get up there much, either. Don't know when the next time will be. My other cousin is getting married next year. Probably then.

[tinfoil tiaras]

5. Jackson, Miss., for all it's flaws, it sure has some damn great

places to eat. I have tons of local favorites. AJ's (awesome seafood!), Keifers (the pita w/ feta is SO GOOD), Mediterranian Grocery (haven't been there lately, but the one time I went the food was exellent!!), Bop's frozen custard (awesome ice cream!), and many more I can't name off the top of my head...

[YankeyMCC]

7. Melby's

In North Waterford, ME

A general store/dinner that serves the small community of North Waterford the local campground we go to every year and the other summer residents.

Without a doubt my favorite breakfast place...yes breakfast is generally easy but the people here do it right with homemade breads (including whole wheat, oatmeal, etc...) for arcadia toast, well stuffed 3 egg omelettes, and interesting and tasty things like buffalo sausage and elk burgers (really good, oh well that's not breakfast but there's a good dinner menu too :) ).

Also great salads with fresh veggies and large portions.

Good pizza too.

My only compliant is the coffee, they use New England brand which is not good IMHO. :)


We stop there at least once a year for a big breakfast before our drive home.

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8. You're making me so hungry...

[YankeyMCC]

24. On the web

I was curious if I could find a refence for this place online and found this: http://travel.mainetoday.com/fromaway/050502.shtml

[LeftyMom]

9. I am learning to love ital food thanks to this place

http://rootsnkulchah.com/menu.html

[driver8]

10. In Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley there is a Terriyaki

restaurant that makes the best Terriyaki chicken I have ever tasted. Not only that, but they give you a green salad with it and they make their own salad dressing. It is the best freakin' salad dressing in the world!

I used to work near this place and ate there quite often. I switched jobs and had not been to the place in over a year. When I walked in, the husband and wife remembered me and what I always ordered.

By the way -- if you live in the Valley the place is called Terriyaki Masudaya and it is on the corner of Saticoy and Winetka in the strip mall.

You won't be sorry.

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19. Thanks

[lildreamer316]

11. Actually;

Up near my mountain house there are two very similar family-style; family run farm eateries that serve food in large portions--country southern food. PILES of grits and bacon and pork chops and country fried steak; etc. It's the place to go (or places) after Sunday church--but you'd better take your appetite! One is called Greenfield's and the other is called Shatley Springs; in the town of the same name.
Yes, bad for you...but Soooooooooooooooooo good.....

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20. Sounds delicious - and deadly if eaten all the time

[GOPisEvil]

12. Taqueria Arandas in Austin

Good, cheap Mexican food. :9

[Reverend_Smitty]

13. DeLorenzo's Pizza

there are actually two of them in my town owned by brothers who have a friendly competition with each other...really you can't go wrong with either but if you are from around here, you would have a favorite and that would be the one you always go to

[everythingsxen]

14. Back in St. Petersburg...

there was a place called "A'Amore's Pizza" It was honest to god authentic NY Pizza (actually there were many of those...) but they had the best....

Sadly, Seattle has no such places. Nothing even close.

Can't get a cuban up here either.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

16. We used to live in Tampa

Mentioned to a co-worker last week (no lie) that I wished I could get a good cuban for lunch. She thought...well, I have no clue what her little brain thought.

[everythingsxen]

17. LOL

yeah...

the cuban is a damn fine sandwich.

[_testify_]

25. Papito's in Tampa

great Cubans! Nothin' better than a garlic-pressed cuban!

[yellowdogintexas]

15. Mexico Real in SW Fort Worth. great mom & pop

Mexican Food, spinach enchiladas to die for

West Side Cafe
Hemphill's
Paris Cafe
for all round good general food..plate lunches etc.


I always seek out the Mom & Pop places when I travel.

[MikeH]

18. Edelweiss Bakery

I frequently stop at the Edelweiss Bakery in the Mira Mesa Mall in Mira Mesa, San Diego, for a snack.

The bakery makes wedding cakes and large cakes for caterers and birthday parties, but also has small individual sized cakes and cookies. I very often like to drop in and have a cupcake or an individual slice of cake, and a cookie, and some coffee.

[freethought]

21. In Portland, ME it's a place called 'ASMARA'

Well, at least for me it is. Their specialty is Eritrean food. It can be chicken, beef, or lamb that has been spiced up and seasoned. Then it is served on a sort of flat bread called 'ijera' that is big and hags over the edge of the serving platter. They also put a salad and a side order (rice, veggies, or greens). The dish is served communally, everyone eats of the same dish. They tear pieces of the bread off scoop up the main course and sides. I tried them for the first time a few months ago and was
surprised and impressed. It's something different and the quality is quite good. On top of that the prices are quite reasonable.

The 'ijera' really sticks out, it looks like a big crepe. It is really spongy and has some stretch to it. Really thin. It has a brown color and mildly sour flavor but it compliments the meal very well. I think the menu said it was made with a sort of flour called 'keff'. Not entirely sure of that though.

In Portland there are plenty of good places to eat. My favorite used to be a Vietnamese place that made these awesome noodle soups. The place changed hands a while ago and it's been downhill ever since. Other places are over priced and some are just slightly upscale version of a TGI Fridays. I like Asmara because it is something kind of unique in the area and the food is good.

If there are DUers from the Portland, ME area I would highly recommend trying it. It's on 51 Oak Street which is just off of Congress St. in Portland.

[grannylib]

22. Mabe's Pizza in (of all places) Decorah Iowa Best. Pizza. Ever.

Around the Garden with double cheese. I live three-and-a-half hours away from my old home town now, but have the number in my cell phone so when I am in the vicinity, I can call and have them get one ready for me (half-baked and frozen, to take home...)
I even called them from the cemetery at my Dad's interment and picked one up on the way home to Minnesota...
now THAT'S good pizza! (Daddy would have heartily approved!):D

[MikeH]

23. Also Capriccio's Italian Restaurant

In the Oak Tree Plaza on the corner of Mira Mesa Blvd. and Black Mountain Road in Mira Mesa.

I go there pretty often, especially on Friday nights. I especially like to have their lasagna dinner, with salad, and their minestrone soup, which I like.