Mama Lena

User Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

I live in Waxhaw, and Moma Lena's used to be very good. I ate there last night with some family visiting from out of town and it down right sucked and made me sick.
First the bread was stale and hard as a rock(waitress' fault). The waitress was nice and got us some bread that was better and made the day before instead of the week before.
Myself and another man in our party of four had the soup of the day, wich was served luke warm(again, waitress' fault), it was a chicken broth with spinach and egg thing that was nasty and made both of us sick. Upset stomachs and the Hershey squirts all night are no fun. My main course of Rigatoni Sargento was overly salty but was otherwise ok.
The two Tilapia dinners were acceptable but in no way spectacular. One person ordered a Pepperoni pizza and it was really greasy(she sopped up the grease with a napkin), but she said it was good otherwise.
Sad to say, but until Chef Gordon Ramsey comes to Mama Lena's we're done. Now I know why the place was empty at dinner time.

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User Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

I just finished reading the previous review and just had to say something. I lived in an Italian neighborhood where there were wonderful Italian restaurants that I grew up with. And this restaurant didn't remind me at all of a real italian restaurant. There were no spices in the sauce--it was bitter with no flavor other than the tomatoes. It was cold in temperature in the restaurant which did not help matters. I personally, though I liked the staff, would not return even if I was offered a get one free coupon. Sorry.

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User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Maraveglioso! Bravissimo! Fantastico!
Best Italian food in all of Charlotte! And for diner prices to boot!

I'm a first generation Sicilian/American. Both parents are from Italy and both were passionate about cooking. My mom would start cooking on Sunday at 6 am for a 3 pm meal after church.

In fact my own mother's history is identical to that of Mama Lena's story printed on the back of the menu.

I've also been to Italy. Not once but at least 10 times and visited many regions as I have family from Milan through Naples and Sicily.

This restaurant is as authentic as authentic Italian gets.

TRUST ME. I'm ITALIAN!

THE BREAD ALONE IS WORTH COMING HERE FOR!!!!!!

Ingredients are all fresh. The Basil is fresh. The sauce is spectucular and uses the right blend of Plum Italian tomatoes. The garlic is generous just as it is supposed to be.

When I was eating here I felt I could have been in Rome, Naples, Venice, Milan as the experience was as good as it can get.

The owners themselves walk around and genuinely love what they do. It shows. I joked with the owner (now in second generation's management) who's in his 50's and can tell from our chat he's the real mcCoy.

The ambiance is rustic with its bare brick walls (the way the best Italian food should be eaten) the air smells like food has been cooking all day ... and the service was great. When our waiter didn't know the answer to one of my questions he got the owner who did.

FIVE STAR RESTAURANT AT DINER PRICES - YOU CAN"T BEAT THIS PLACE!

Yes its packed. But for good reason. YOU MUST COME EARLY AS THIS IS THE MOST POPULAR RESTAURANT in the area.

This place is JAM PACKED ON WEEKENDS. COME EARLY and expect a busy New York style experience.

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