Mama Santa Restaurant Pizzeria
Business Information
Pizza, Restaurants, Foods-carry OutItalian
Top Sentiments among Mama Santa Restaurant Pizzeria Reviewers
Great Great pizza
Best tasting pasta sauce
Authentic New York Sicilian pizza
Great white sauce
Like Tastes
Great pizza joints
Tasty seasoned salads
Great Italian restaurant
Tasty garlic bread
Authentic Italian style pizza
Customer Reviews (90 reviews)
whirledepicurean501
on Citysearch Mar 07, 2009On faithful insistence of friends who are Mama Santa?s fans, I gave Mama Santa?s pizza three separate tries. Unfortunately, three strikes. As an enthusiast who has tried thin crust pizza at over 100 purveyors (NO... (more)
annaduchene
on Citysearch Feb 20, 2009where else can you go and get a great pizza, a bottle of wine and 2 salads for $22 bucks! Always great food! (more)
lauka1500
on Citysearch Dec 10, 2008it is a nice place to spend time as a couple. nothing in particular, but we enjoyed it. if you livein the area, you do not need to search further (more)
DeathDealer9
on Citysearch Nov 29, 2008First off you Haters, Shut The F*** up. I've had the pizza many times there, and I Know its some of the best around. Key word there is Some; and by many i mean more then 50. Sorry to be so openly mouthy but seriously, all you... (more)
murpay
on Citysearch Nov 10, 2008My husband I drove from Mayfield Heights to Little Italy (about 8 miles) to sample the supposedly best pizza in Cleveland. What a disappointment! I wish I would have read the above reviews before we set out for the... (more)
britk07
on Citysearch Oct 18, 2008My sister came to visit one weekend and we decided we wanted really good pizza, and I had seen that Mama Santa's was always mentioned when people taked about great pizza in Cleveland, so we decided to try it. The crust... (more)
Citysearch User
on Citysearch Oct 13, 2008I'm originally from Cleveland but now live in Palm Springs, Ca. There is not one place that has homemade and authentic tasting pizza here in Palm Springs like Mama Santa's. I am forever dreaming of the pizza from there... (more)
o2man
on Citysearch Jul 26, 2008The pizza at Mama Santa's is some of the best I've ever had, but our waitress was terrible. It took 10 minutes for her to take our drink order and another 10 minutes to bring the drinks. After my wife and I where clearly... (more)
grendelslair
on Citysearch Jul 12, 2008I was told this place had the best pizza in Cleveland. I was shocked by what I actually got. It was overcooked, even black on some parts. Even if it was fine the service leaves a lot to be desired. Service is indifferent to... (more)
cupcake77777
on Citysearch Jun 23, 2008Good pizza and manicotti. Stay clear of the lasagna. Decor a little tacky. Service is inconsistent- sometimes efficient and friendly, other times slow and a tad bit rude. (more)
alishelbystang
on Citysearch Apr 24, 2008best pizza ever. if dont like dont know italian if u ever tasted it. so good. pasta is amazing there too (more)
Tennesee
on Citysearch Mar 05, 2008This place is actually very tasty. By no means upscale, but the pastas are fresh and the pizza crisp. The toppings on pizza are canned, or dehydrated onions, but with the homemade sauce and crust it comes out much... (more)
ryry00
on Citysearch Feb 11, 2008I want to sleep with mama santa. she is the best cook ever. i love her. if she was jewish i would marry her. (more)
BroccoliRob
on Citysearch Feb 03, 2008I'll won't dwell on the negatives about the space others have brought up. Yes, the 2 person tables against the wall are not for the claustrophobic or large of build. We purposely went at lunch due to the other... (more)
boobats
on Citysearch Sep 27, 2007We went to Mama Santa's because so many people in CLE seem to think it's "the" place for Italian/pizza. I can't imagine ever going back. 1. Service was incredibly slow although they weren't busy. However, we... (more)
mozzer_oh
on Citysearch Sep 25, 2007Although known for their relatively inexpensive prices, Mama Santa's is not the place to go if you are use to decent customer service. I have gone to Mama Santa's on several different occasions, and the sevice is... (more)
Citysearch User
on Citysearch Aug 22, 2007Mama Santa is definitely a good value. The prices are cheap and the food is decent. The previous poster called it a small and intimate restaurant, but really it would be more accurate to call it cramped and cave-like.... (more)
tenaciousdv
on Citysearch Aug 20, 2007Like the title suggests, people seem to love one or the other of these rival pizza shops in the Little Italy neighborhood. For me, Mama Santa is the winner...hands down!!! I have tried Valentino's a few times and found... (more)
ron802
on Citysearch Jul 06, 2007Mama Santa's is a prefect example of why you can't believe everything you read! It was the worst Italian food we have ever tasted! We LOVE good Italian food & we're not some picky yuppie couple that only eats in 5 star... (more)
fishpaw332
on Citysearch May 22, 2007Thank you to the fans of Mama Santa's...This visitor was craving good pizza...Got on the internet, found reviews of this place...Found the place after taking a couple of wrong turns, got lucky and got a parking space... (more)
kalipso22001
on Citysearch Apr 22, 2007Mama Santa's is, by far, my favorite restaurant. When I read the negative reviews I just don't understand. It's true italian food and it's a great value too. I don't get down to Little Italy very often, but when I do you... (more)
becthomas74
on Citysearch Apr 09, 2007Been going here for years,whether its to take the family out or just pick up and take home.Cant beat the prices and the food is awesome! (more)
jogill
on Citysearch Jan 28, 2007Went to Mama's for our daugthers fourth birthday lunch on a Saturday. We were seated right away and had wonderful service and great food. Ordered pizza (awesome), spaghetti (great sauce) and chicken cacciatore... (more)
atomaso
on Citysearch Dec 17, 2006I live in Little Italy and you could not pay me to eat at Mama Santa's! The service is beyond lousy. Once I ordered a salad, and for a little flavor, they threw in an ant. Yum! Of course the miserable people that they are,... (more)
bdee1977
on Citysearch Nov 17, 200610 years ago when I was in college in this area we would walk miles to get this pizza. Now, I'd drive miles to get this pizza. The ambiance of Little Italy is always a treat, and this pizza is really the best this area has to... (more)
gingerrogers
on Citysearch Oct 28, 2006The first time I went to Mama Santa's, I had heard all of the hype, and after I ate the pizza, frankly, I was less than impressed. In fact, I wasn't sure I liked it at all. However, after repeated dinners and pizzas, the... (more)
dweber00
on Citysearch Oct 26, 2006After hearing about the award-winning pizza, I expected something great, but I was sorely disappointed. The service was unattentive and it took nearly an hour for our burnt pizza to arrive. It's cheap; you get... (more)
tastebuddies
on Citysearch Jul 20, 2006I've had Mama Santa's pizza on more than one occasion and I can not understand why it wins Best Pizza year after year. They must pay their employees to get on the computer and vote for it. I've tried cheese, pepperoni,... (more)
eddie56tabor
on Citysearch Jun 13, 2006WELL FOLKS THE PIZZA AT MAMA SANTAS IS GREAT BUT WHEN ITS BUSY IT TAKES A LITTLE LONGER. SO WHAT GET OVER IT THE PRICES ARE A BARGAIN THE HOME MADE PASTAS ARE FANTASTIC. WHY NOT SIT BACK AND ENJOY LIFE A LITTLE BITE WHATS... (more)
moose8933
on Citysearch May 10, 2006I have been all around the country and when I moved to Cleveland I heard how great their pizza is, and when went, I thought it was terrible. I've worked in the food industry for many years, so I did give it a second and even a... (more)
soleilmoon
on Citysearch Feb 26, 2006Mama Santa's is a staple in Cleveland and for good reason. The pizza is sicilian-style and amazing, probably because of the care these people put into making a delicious pizza. Does that mean you'll wait 20plus... (more)
denverx
on Citysearch Dec 05, 2005My one and only experience with Mama Santa's was pretty lousy! I expected a long wait, but while my food came in a fairly reasonable amount of time, my friend's pizza never did! When we asked about the pizza, the... (more)
Citysearch User
on Citysearch Nov 09, 2005Mama Santa's located in Little Italy in Cleveland is always busy for a reason - the pizza is excellent, the pasta is wonderful, and the prices can't be beat. They do a huge carry-out business, particularaly when the... (more)
rodeo77
on Citysearch Nov 07, 2005The one knack people have on this place is the service, well deal with it. The last time I was in the joint I waited only 20-25 minutes for my food, and a little longer for the pizza, and thats because it was a Friday night.... (more)
Citysearch User
on Citysearch Sep 15, 2005My husband and I love to visit the Little Italy section of Cleveland, and Mama Santa's is a must stop for us each time. The restaurant is small and intimate, everything is excellent right down to the warm bread at the... (more)
Citysearch User
on Citysearch Sep 01, 2005I used to love it, now I can't eat it. Very good pizza, but now I find it too greasy and too thin. Very cheap, though, so you definitely get your money's worth. (more)
cpastel64
on Citysearch Aug 08, 2005I grew up in Little Italy and some of my fondest memories are of eating Mama Santa's pizza and pasta. I now live in Parma, but still make the trek to the Hill for the awesome food.... (more)
natatonic
on Citysearch Jul 27, 2005Mama Santa's is the best pizza anywhere. Don't gimme your Chicago pan pizza jive or your NY Sicilian propaganda. I've had them all and Cleveland's Mama Santa's beats them, hands down. Go and check it out for... (more)
ciela96
on Citysearch Mar 15, 2005Mama Santa's has the best food in Little Italy, hands down. The homemade pastas are amazing. The pizza is very good and the wine is good and cheap. But, it's a neighborhood place, and it's definitely not for everyone.... (more)
juliawiser
on Citysearch Jan 20, 2005A place where the crust is an undecided between thick and thin. And the pizza seems burt, but they make the best pizza in cleveland hands down. I am able to eat half a pizza by myself.... (more)
amyliz1
on Citysearch Dec 19, 2004This is BY FAR the best restaurant that I have ever been to.. italian or otherwise. My boyfriend and I went on a Friday night and we were seated right away. Everyone was wonderful and the food... wow!! Home made... (more)
brotherseamus
on Citysearch Nov 17, 2004there is no other place that can match the embiance and the quality and flavor you will experience at Mama Santa's. In classic Little Italy on the near east side of Cleveland there are many good places to go, but Mama... (more)
mrsstigg
on Citysearch Jul 18, 2004We have been to Mama Santa's many times over the years. I have to say that overall, they use to be much better than they are now. Recently we took our children there for dinner. The pizza was so hard and black on the bottom... (more)
sharlan
on Citysearch Jul 11, 2004after a very long 45 min wait, the pizza looked and tasted like burned carboard! After leaving it pretty intact except for 2 small leftover bites...the owner claimed it as his own dinner and that it was the same... (more)
mibellisima
on Citysearch Jun 13, 2004Until recently, I had only ever eaten Mamma's homemade pasta. I decided to give the pizza a shot. WOWWWWWW. The taste is unbelievable. When this thing came to my table, I must admit I wasn't very impressed with the way... (more)
peaches0079
on Citysearch Apr 08, 2004I THINK MAMA SANTA'S PIZZA IS THE BEST. ALL OF THE REVIEWS SHOW THAT, ONCE YOU GO THERE YOU WILL KEEP GOING BACK. FOR THOSE FEW THAT DON'T LIKE IT THAT'S FINE, IT JUST SHOWS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ANY IDEAL OF WHAT " GREAT " FOOD... (more)
pianoprincesss
on Citysearch Mar 25, 2004Since moving from Cleveland 3 years ago, there are few things I really miss, but I must say, Mama Santas is one of them. The pizza is authentic and you can have a dinner for two including a bottle of cheap sangria which is... (more)
brianne05
on Citysearch Mar 01, 2004My now husband went to Case as an undergrad and every weekend I would visit him we HAD to go to Mamas!! It is my favorite pizza! Now we live in Boston, and I still talk about Mama's pizza! I even talk to MIT students who are... (more)
pizzagirl75
on Citysearch Dec 11, 2003Not only does the pizza at Mama Santa's make for a perfect visit but the entire neighborhood of Little Italy that surrounds the restaurant. Before you even enter the restaurant you are transported into a small... (more)
Contributor
on Citysearch Aug 13, 2003<b>The Scene</b><br>A handful of tables sit in the cozily appointed dining room, and soft music plays overhead. Chianti bottles and Italian travel posters surround regulars sipping soft drinks in plastic cups.... (more)
rdodger4
on Citysearch Aug 07, 2003I am tired of everyone saying Mama Santa's has the best pizza. I am guessing most of the people who have voted have nevr even tried it. Valentino's on Murray Hill has a much tastier pizza at a better price. I live in Little... (more)
clevelandgrrl
on Citysearch Jun 02, 2003hey! guess what! it ain't Giovanni's, people! this is a neighborhood pizza joint. the pizza isn't to everyone's liking, but neither is Papa John's, Donato's or what-have-you. you don't go here for... (more)
dakdak
on Citysearch Feb 09, 2003Their sauce is unique, not bland tomato as with most places. Very reasonably priced. Service is sometimes lacking and they could use a better beer list, but the pizza is so good, everything else is tolerated.... (more)
Dr_Madison
on Citysearch Feb 06, 2003First of all, what it is: a fantastic neighborhood eatery. What it is not: a four-star restaurant complete with expensive table settings and black tie servers. If you like huge portions of homemade pasta and... (more)
dcoco45
on Citysearch Jan 15, 2003Great food at a good price, not real fancy inside but the food makes up for that. (more)
cljuliet
on Citysearch Jan 09, 2003Using reconstituted onions like Mc'Donald's is NOT what I call good toppings. The crust was hard and inedible, the sauce was bland, and the toppings sucked. Not even fresh mushrooms - they used the nasty canned... (more)
hoagk
on Citysearch Jan 08, 2003Best pizza in Cleveland. I've been going there for over 25 years. (more)
alchuckles
on Citysearch Jan 06, 2003Mama Santa's is terrific...outstanding pizza at a great price in a traditional Italian family-owned setting. Great place in a great location! (more)
hollyaflynn
on Citysearch Jan 02, 2003It is far and away the best Italian food in Cleveland. Buca di Peppo doesn't even come close.I am half Italian and am always trying to find authentic Italian foodand Mama Santa's is as "real" as it gets.... (more)
redbrick1369
on Citysearch Jan 02, 2003If the pizzas werent cheaper than a quality import, it would get all 1's. Terrible service, no refills, terrible sauce, over or under cooked pizza every time, and NOT authentic Italian style pizza. DIRTY... (more)
daveshoeohio
on Citysearch Jan 01, 2003It has been a few years -- less than 8, more than 5 -- but my recollection of this place is that its pizza sauce was a bit bland. If I remember correctly, it featured a thin and chewy crust (one of my faves, you can fold it up... (more)
slspaine
on Citysearch Dec 31, 2002Mama Santa's is a great Italian restaurant. The pizza is fabulous. The pasta is good. The salad and bread are great. (more)
jkrcik
on Citysearch Dec 21, 2002Excellent for the money. We only waited for a short time and enjoyed great dinner. Not to many places like this in Cleveland. (more)
BOBCOYLE
on Citysearch Dec 05, 2002Read the reviews and finally get this dump off the list, the place is dirty, food awful, service bad. No refills on pop??please, there are better pizzas in every neighborhood of cleveland.... (more)
joanne_vernon
on Citysearch Dec 04, 2002Pizza was just average. Sauce lacked flavor. Toppings were sparse. Crust was ok. There are definitely better pizza places in the Cleveland area. Service was slow even though the place was empty. Waitress not too... (more)
dzineman
on Citysearch Dec 04, 2002not even worth writing about. chef boy-ar-dee with bad service and dirty floors. (more)
cz016m
on Citysearch Nov 26, 2002Mama Santa's pizza is good, but it's not the best in my opinion. (more)
caricorrigan
on Citysearch Nov 19, 2002Aladdin's Eatery (Cedar Rd in Cleveland Heights) has not made it into your top 10 even! Have you not tried it? Send someone out immediately if not! Its cheap, fast, healthy and very yummy. Mama Santa's is not a bad... (more)
Lizhoffman
on Citysearch Oct 31, 2002A group of us got take-out and I accidentally dropped the pizza box- EVERYONE around me including people I didn't know started yelling" QUICK! 5 Second RULE!! PICK IT UP!! I have never heard anyone go nuts over a... (more)
ellococo14
on Citysearch Oct 31, 2002their pizza sucks because it's all greezy and just sloppy.i think they just made it because they just want their pay check. (more)
sep415
on Citysearch Oct 31, 2002Mama Santa's was worth the hour drive for me! I love this pizza! The atmosphere of Mama Santa's is also wonderful. Now that I live in Connecticut, I am surrounding by pizza parlors, yet Mama Santa's is still one of the... (more)
rampantraider
on Citysearch Oct 31, 2002Great pizza and pasta and the serice is great. The sauce and crust are super. (more)
caryn8
on Citysearch Oct 30, 2002That title says it all. I've had better frozen pizzas. Heck, the pizza in the Hospital cafeteria down the block is better. Much better. How does this place place keep winning "best of Cleveland " awards? Awful.... (more)
kricket5
on Citysearch Oct 27, 2002Can you say shhhhhh dont tell everyone the secret of Cleveland!! What a great place to dine... super big portions of your favorite Italian cuisine. Please dont tell the world of my most favorite place to dine!... (more)
Katie12n
on Citysearch Oct 23, 2002It has great food and they go out of their way to make your experience a good one to remember. (more)
trevise
on Citysearch Oct 09, 2002they have the best pizza and have for at least the past 30 years. I have sampled other foods there and was very pleased with them as well. The old stlye ambience only adds to your enjoyment.... (more)
Homer_Sims
on Citysearch Sep 26, 2002When I lived in Cleveland i was in Shaker Hts, when ever we wanted pizza iI went down to little Italy. Sure it was a way's to travel for pizza i started to notice that i would be half done with the pizza by the time I hit Cedar... (more)
lb
on Citysearch Sep 25, 2002Mama Santa's has great homemade italian food for very reasonable prices. I love the lasagna, the pizza, and any pasta. (more)
pizzaexpert
on Citysearch Sep 20, 2002nothing spectacular-sauce tastes like Ragu. Crust too soft. Yuck! Tastes just like a pizza chain. (more)
Figaro_falala
on Citysearch Sep 18, 2002You would never think by looking at the outside of this place that the food would be so good...but it is. Homemade noodles(delicious!), yummy pizzas made just right, the best tasting pasta sauce - it's the perfect... (more)
xysters
on Citysearch Sep 09, 2002Cardboard thin crust. Taste like it too. This is the most overrated pizzia in the city. (more)
kgiuliani
on Citysearch Aug 28, 2002Mama Santa's is the absolute best pizza in all of Cleveland - cheap too! (more)
sammy69
on Citysearch Aug 10, 2002Just great Pizza..and pasta as well Very authentic , great sauce (more)
skinnywhiz
on Citysearch Aug 07, 2002A must visit in Cleveland's Little Italy! Mama Santa's has the BEST Italian food in town hands down! Affordable and delicious...but be willing to wait in line especially on weekends. Well worth the wait! Their pizza... (more)
elephinos
on Citysearch Aug 04, 2002This is the best place for pasta and the cost is reasonable. The service is fast, quick, and even during peak hours, they are constantly working to get you seated quickly. A great deal all around.... (more)
scallywag16
on Citysearch Jul 30, 2002Mama Santa's is not your typical pizzaria, because their pizza is a cut above your average pie. I highly recommend eating there, whether it be on a date or a night out with the family.... (more)
EllieRose
on Citysearch Jul 21, 2002When I was a kid we used to come downtown to meet my dad for lunch all the time. And we always went to Mama Santa's. Now that I work in Clevleand I eat there even more. They have terrific pasta even better pizza and the prices... (more)
cuyahogamike
on Citysearch Jul 17, 2002Always hot, fresh and inexpensive. Traditional sicilian pizza done well. Does not have all of the unusual varieties that the chains have, but simply the best traditional pizza in Cleveland... (more)
LesleyBalla_Citysearch
on Citysearch May 20, 2002We went back to Mama Santa's for old-time's sake over the holidays. They were understaffed (that particular day), the dining room was a mess and the pizza was sloppy and undercooked. How unfortuante since I remember... (more)