Mama's Cantina

This is the kind of old-school kitch that has been gobbled up by fancy Seattle eateries which, though lovable, are often lacking in character. Not Mama's. Haven't seen enough Elvis statues? Get your name on the list and have a seat on the red final booths in the entry. Order up some classics or some fun vegetarian options. If you are there on the right day, don't miss the Friday Night Special. And don't leave without a margarita. The service fits with the decor - they mean business, so know your request and order it fast please! As much as they'd like to deny it, they are wonderful with groups, very friendly and easy-going. If you are there in the summer, don't miss the musicians outside. Fun! more

My husband and I have worked in the restaurant business our entire adult lives. We have both been to Mama's before, food good, atmosphere fun, service good *once* the other times mediocre. But the place is fun, the food is decent and cheap enough, and who doesn't like Mexican. We will NEVER set foot in this place again. Went there on Valentine's day (just wanted a relaxing simple evening). Our female server (dark hair, 20s-30s, hat, tattooed) obviously hated that both she and we were there. Rude from the get-go, every word coming out of her mouth dripping with snide sarcasm. We were still friendly and tried to lighten up the conversation, knowing what it is like to wait tables and thinking she might just be having a bad day. My husband ordered a beer and a shot, I ordered a top shelf margarita. 5 minutes later she slams his beer on the table (bottle, no glass). ONLY his beer. We watch her to bring out one thing at a time for each table, moving as slow as humanly possible. She has been sat a 10 top that is sitting behind us. FIFTEEN minutes after she has dropped the beer (yes we have been there 20 minutes, and no this is not an exaggeration, I had looked at the time as soon as we sat down and again when we left), still no other drinks nor has she returned at all to our table...and now she is walking over to the 10 top (who has been sitting there for 10+ minutes) to take their order. We got up and walked out. That woman should not be doing any line of work that involves interacting with other human beings. When I went into work the next day (yes I am telling anyone and everyone this story) at the restaurant that I work at, one of my co-workers relayed a similar story and described a server that sounded just like ours and who had also been totally rude. That Mama's seems to pride itself on employing people like this is a shame. We will never set foot in that place again and will tell everyone to avoid this place like the plague. Unless you like giving your money away and having a crappy time. more

If you can get out of work early on a Friday, this place is a fun spot to sit and throw back a few margaritas and enjoy some good, tattooed atmosphere. The food is nothing to write home about. As for the staff, I've had waitresses buy me a couple of rounds on the house and I've had some really distant ones as well. I guess it's a crap shoot. The front desk staff seem to try hard to get you in as fast as they can and I've never had to wait for more than a half of an hour. If you are looking for a fun place to start the night and have a bit of patience, this is a fun spot that I would recommend. more

What more can I say. The food is decent. The portions are too much. The guac it tasty.The margaritas are cheap and yummy. The decor is interesting even when you haven a lame date. Ok - apparently I could say a lot. And they have a mariachi band! more

Just an incredible old-time Seattle fixture. Good food, funky atmosphere, decent location (if you don't mind the street people), and always a good time to be had here. Great place to go with your friends, especially if you're in your 20s or early 30s. Not so family friendly - more geared towards those who want cheap, good, accessible food and who are on their feet walking or bussing it. Parking can be a hassle down there, and forget getting a stroller in there. Excellent place to start your night out for cheap, with good, hearty, yummy, real Mexican food. more

...outside of the Millionair's club and the evening hot dog stand anyway. The food is basic Mexican served with a side of lady waitresses hitting on your girlfriend. Prices are great and takeout orders take about 7 minutes. more

Mama's is FUN! The atmosphere is certainly unique for a Mexican restaurant, never more apparent than when you're sitting in the Elvis room. The food is decent - maybe not fabulous, but the basics are here and them do them well. This is a popular lunch spot for the Bell Town office crowd, so allow enough time and enjoy! more

My boyfriend and I like the vegetarian enchilada, but with such famously large portions we’ve learned to split one rather than take our leftovers home for later; the lettuce and sour cream don’t reheat well. The food is flavorful and satisfying, and one whole room of the restaurant is devoted to Elvis. more

For some reason, it is very difficult for me to write more than a couple sentences about a Mexican food restaurant. Unless it's something like Rosa's Mexicana, I feel like there is very little to distinguish one from the other. Except here, I will say, the food was really very good. For those Mexican food purists out there, they have plenty of authentic items on the menu. The prices were good, as was the service. We ended up getting sat in a sort of back room, which was less than ideal. But it was a Friday night, and I left Mama's happy to know there is at least one place I can get some really good Mexican food, regardless of what I order. more

Located in Bell Town, this Mexican eatery boasts a very relaxed environment, friendly staff, and delicious food! Was here recently for lunch with a group of 15. They sat us promptly, and took great care of us. It wasn't the typical experience where you sacrifice service due to the large group. All orders were perfect, the food was wonderful, and the margaritas were flowing (I promise, this has little to do with my recommendation). I've been for dinner a few times, as well, and had similar experiences. Great, attentive service and excellent food. My favorite is the "Elvis Presley" - a carne asada burrito with their homemade "Ranch" sauce. more

this is one of the cutest, most colorful places i have ever eaten. they have very friendly staff, cool artwork adorns all of the walls. the prices are very reasonable. if you are a vegetarian, as i am they have many vegetarian items, and as they told me, anything on the menu can be converted to a vegetarian feast. more

Not the most likely destination to think Mexican (Tia Lou's and Mama's are the 2 I know of in Belltown), but the food was alright. I wouldn't necessarily go there unless I was already in Belltown, but if in the area, it's worth a try. I have heard many people in the past swear by it, but I am not exactly sure why. It would be interesting to get more details on this. So many people have such different ideas of what good Mexican is anyway. I mean, who knew that tortillas, beans, rice and cheese could be so different at so many places? update to this review: never got a chance to write this last week, but I am not sure I would return there. I felt sick the rest of the day (I wrote this review right as soon as I got back). Dropping it down another star due to that unpleasant after experience. more

This place is more about kitschy decor then good Mexican food. It is always a fun place to go for margaritas, but I've never had the best service or superb food. The burritos are just like anyone could make at home, the enchiladas were a bit better. The experience is OK over all, but if you are looking for authentic Mexican- this isn't going to do it for you. more

This place is more about kitchy decor then good Mexican food. It is always a fun place to go for drinks, but I've never had the best service or superb food. The burritos are just like anyone could make at home, the enchilladas were a bit better. The experience is OK over all, but if you are looking for authentic mexican- this isn't going to do it for you. more

Inattentive service; gloppy, tasteless food. Where's the draw? more

This may not be the most authentic place to go for Mexican, (it is more tex-mex) but what they serve tastes very good regardless. I have been informed by an expert in these matters though that the pork dishes here are the best to be had in the city. The nachos and salsa are also quite good. Mama's has a somewhat raucous atmosphere which is enhanced during the summer by those drinking out on the patio. Happy hour is indeed very happ here with a long drink list that includes an entire section devoted to tequila. Also, there is a vegetarian section on the menu and overall, prices are reasonable. So next time you are in Belltown, stop by Mama's-you won't be sorry. more

I had heard that everything that you get at Mama's Mexican Kitchen comes smoothered in cheese. Those reviews are correct. The food was good and there was lots of it, but it was nothing more than your regular Mexican meal. The decor is funky, bordering on cluttered and dirty. The staff is very friendly though. more

Mamas is a popular destination for seattlites to get their mexican food fix. They have great mexican food and very cheap prices. The decor is kinda crazy, but thats what makes this place special. If you are lucky, you might be seated in the elvis pressley room - long live the king. They have outdoor dining in the summer. You best bet is if you have an entertainment book, because Mamas always has a coupon in there! more

This place a staple in the area. Always busy and packed. The food is great and the service is good. They will get you whetever you need from chips and salsa to a clean fork with a smile. The food is typical north american mexican, but the ingredients are fresh and therefore taste good. Mostly frequented by younger crowd as its in the yuppy night area of seattle - but ive gone in there alone before when packed and they still serve with a smile. more

I moved to Seattle from Texas and this restaurant is the closest thing. Huge helpings and cheesy tacos are complimented by a strangely eclectic decor. Bean Mary salad is delicious and any burrito you get is bigger than your face. They serve great drinks here, the beer selection is relatively small, but they have good choices and the margaritas are far from gross. You won't have room for dessert, but you can satisfy your craving for a Mexican food fix here for sure. The service is usual good, although sometimes they are a little rude if you show up close to closing time. So go early, eat a lot, and then take a nap. more