| Food | * * * 1/2 |
| Service | * * * |
| Ambience | * * 1/2 |
| Value | 6.5 |
| Cost | $ $ |
Both inside and outside, Mama's is a curiosity. They reopened in June 1996, following a fire and most of their quirky servers were able to return. It is a hangout for many weekly and daily breakfast goers, so there is always a long wait to get in, along with the fact there are only 20-30 tables total. On the walls are artifacts of a bygone era, old radios adorning the walls, along with new biodegradeable art - napkin art, with winners prominently displayed. It's pretty clear that these artists didn't create their "masterpieces" in the restaurant, as one artist has done a relief map of part of the West Coast of Africa on a dinner napkin.
Our waitress is a curiousity herself; she has bleach-blond hair, several earrings going up her ear, and her too-short tee reveals a belly button ring. Mama's menu consists mostly of breakfast fare, their specialty being omelettes. You can get just about anything on your omelette ($6-9 each). J ordered the bacon, chili, and cheddar omelette, with blueberry-banana muffin. I chose the chicken, avocado, and jack omelette with the same muffin. The omelette price includes choice of an English muffin, house muffin, Pain au Levain (Acme Bakery bread), or regular toast; fresh fruit; and home fries (sour cream $0.50). Their muffins have decreased in size in recent years (they used to pour the batter all over the top of the pan and cut them out like squares), but they are still good-sized and the perfect moist (not fat-free, however) consistency. You can also request some special delicious salsa (carrots, jalapeņos, and vinegar) or catsup to complement your omelette. In addition, they serve "bottomless" cups of coffee.
Mama's is a must-see in Oakland, though few outsiders know about its existence and so it keeps super busy among its regulars. The only real downside is that they will only accept cash, but the prices are really reasonable. Breakfast (practically brunch) for two will run about $13, and the servers are strange-looking but efficient.