Mamas Kitchen isn’t what you might at first think. It isn’t Mama like your mother, it is said Ma-mas, the Protector of the Shepherds, based on a medieval Cypriot legend. Mamas is regarded as the Patron Saint of Cyprus and Naxos. The lion of the legend is the logo of the restaurant. The Seminole restaurant is one of three operated by the Saints namesake, Mamas Antoniou and his family. The consider themselves a family restaurant and their menu features a children’s section. They are open daily 6 am to 9 pm.
The menu features breakfast, lunch and dinner selections with a wide variety of egg and pancake dishes, sandwiches, both hot and cold. There is a good selection of entrees with steaks, chicken, local seafood and Italian fare. Dinner selections run from $7 to $12. Beer and wine are available.
The facility is a casual diner on a busy street but access is good. There is adequate parking. The interior is clean, well maintained and the glass front facade makes for a light and spacious feeling. The staff is quick and courteous and seem genuinely glad to see you.
Friend of ours brought us here because it is one of their favorite places for a breakfast out. That in itself is always a good recommendation. As is our friends custom, this visit was for breakfast.
The wife ordered pancakes as is her want, a platter that included eggs over medium. The pancakes were thick and fluffy, and well browned. The eggs were over medium as requested and the yolks intact but still soft. Individual serving cups of syrup were served on the side. She described the pancakes as good and surprisingly, cleaned her plate, also a good but silent recommendation.
I opted for the eggs, hash browns and bacon. The eggs were ordered over medium and were served as requested. The potatoes are "cottage fries," apparently from a large griddle. There was nicely golden brown crisp edges with soft, tender potato between. The bacon was thick slice, fried crisp. Often, with breakfasts, grease is a complaint. That was not the case. The potatoes were "dry" and the eggs did not leave a tell-tale ring. The toast was hot and buttered. Not a complaint, but the toast was cut in a most peculiar manner, across, side-to-side, rather than the usual top to bottom or even diagonally.
We lingered over coffee. The coffee was fresh and hadn’t "simmered" in the pot. The waitress was around frequently to refill our cups. Even though we tarried, there was never a push to move us along. In our defense, we watched to see that there was always seating available.
Mamas Kitchen is close to our friends home and makes for a convenient stopping place for a breakfast out. Were it closer to where we live, it would probably be a more frequent stop. The food is good, the service quick and friendly, and we are assured that the quality is consistent.
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