My [our] Heart Belongs to MaMa’s! Serving St. Paul, Minnesota since 1964. Here is our long-awaited Mamas Pizza Review.
With the recent news of Mama’s Pizza making the Top 100 Pizza Shops in the US from Yelp, we knew it was the right time to write up our thoughts on this beloved staple in the Twin Cities area.
Mama’s Pizza is a well-known pizza restaurant located in the heart of St. Paul, MN. Mostly known for their delicious and authentic Minnesota tavern-style pizza, Mama’s Pizza has been a favorite among locals and visitors alike for almost 60 years. The definition of a staple.
The outside of the restaurant really has an old-school Italian American feel. You do not see many of places like this any more!
As soon as you walk into Mama’s Pizza, you are greeted by a friendly staff and the smell of freshly baked pizza. The decor is simple and casual, with a few tables and chairs and some colorful murals on the walls. It’s the kind of place that’s perfect for a quick bite or a casual dinner with friends and family.
They even have a tribute photo of Mama herself on the wall.
Sadly, the owner of Mama’s Pizza, Tony Mudzinski, announced last year in 2022 that the shop would remain permanently closed to dine-in service. So your only option these days is take-out. It’s been this way since the pandemic of 2020 started and we hope it doesn’t mean we’ll never get to eat inside this famed establishment again.
Tony’s uncle, another Tony named Tony Mangini, founded the business in 1964. The restaurant passed to the current Tony and his two sisters after their mom’s death in 1999. Her name was Peachie Mudzinski. “Peachie’s Famous Red Sauce” and other family recipes have been used in the Mama’s Pizza kitchen for decades. You won’t be able to find that on Amazon, but there is a pizza sauce available called Yo Mama’s. We know it’s not the same.
One of the things that sets Mama’s Pizza apart from other pizza places is their commitment to using fresh and high-quality ingredients. They make their dough and sauce from scratch every day, and they use only the best and freshest toppings. You can actually taste the difference in every bite.
Mama’s Pizza Menu
The menu at Mama’s Pizza is fairly simple, with a few appetizers, salads, and sandwiches, but the real star of the show is their pizza. They only offer a short list of pizzas, but encourage you to add any of their available ingredients: Italian sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, ground beef, bacon, shrimp, meatballs, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, olives, tomatoes, [even] pineapple and pickles.
One of their standout menu items, and one that we try to always order for our reviews, is their pepperoni pizza. After trying it myself, I can certainly understand why. It was a nostalgic bite of childhood.
First and foremost, the pizza’s crust was excellent. It was crispy on the outside, yet still soft and chewy on the inside. The thickness of the crust was just right, providing a sturdy base for the generous amount of toppings.
Speaking of toppings, the pepperoni was the star of the show. Each slice was delightful and full of flavor, adding just the right amount of spice to the pizza. The cheese was also well-balanced, not too overpowering or too light, and Peachie’s tomato sauce had a perfect blend of sweetness and tanginess.
We should mention the quality of the ingredients again. It was clear that Mama’s Pizza uses the best that money can buy The pepperoni was particularly impressive, as it had a depth of flavor that you don’t often find in other pizzas. The combination of the fresh ingredients and the skilled preparation made for a truly delicious pizza.
In terms of service, I found the staff to be friendly and attentive. The wait time for our pizza was reasonable, and it arrived piping hot and ready for take-out back to our humble abode.
Our Mamas Pizza Review
Overall, I would highly recommend Mama’s Pizza in St. Paul to anyone in the area looking for a delicious and satisfying pepperoni pizza. With its excellent crust, generous toppings, and high-quality ingredients, it’s clear that Mama’s Pizza takes pride in their craft and puts a lot of care into making their pizzas. I can’t wait to come back and try some of their other menu items in the future!
Their award from Yelp for one of the top 100 pizzerias in the USA is well-deserved. And our other home in China, has a place called Pizza Bianca that we recommend, too!
