Mama’s Deli & Catering Menu

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  • Chad F.

    I stopped here for the first time a few days ago without knowing much about it and I must say I was quite impressed. The first thing I have to mention is that the turkey sandwich I bought was freaking AMAZING. For $7.99 I got a sandwich with home made bread, turkey, lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, avocado, sprouts, and mayo that was big enough for two people along with the choice of a bag of chips or one of five or so cold salads. Besides the sandwiches and salads they also offer daily specials from their hot table, and soups. The second thing that needs to be brought up is that this is not only a deli, but also a convenience store. They have a massive selection of drinks (including cheap fountain pop), candy, chips, tobacco products, and the other things you would expect to find at such a place. Overall it was a great experience - the sandwich selection was good, the prices were fair, the food was great, and the employees were friendly. My one complaint would probably be how long it took to get our sandwiches - we waited about 10 minutes for our two sandwiches when we were the only people in the store. It wasn't a big deal to me at the time, but if there were a line it could seriously EAT up your lunch break. Har.

    (4)
  • Carolyn S.

    I have walked past Mama's on numerous occasions and never bothered to stop in until this past Friday. Although the front awning is fairly unimpressive, enter the room and you'll find it's quite a bit larger than expected. The old wood flooring and vintage-y furniture make it a very pleasant place to have a quick bite. The turkey sandwich was really amazing (see Chad F.'s description). I also tried the tomato soup, which was fantastic. My only qualm with the place was that the employees - they were a bit rude. When I finished my order the guy at the counter got distracted by another employee. He then turned back to me and said, "Are you done? Because I'm done with you." Ok...I guess this might add a little character to the establishment. Despite my bizarre intereaction, I will definitely be back to try more of the soups and sandwiches!

    (3)
  • Joe R.

    Great home made lunches just like my mom use to make. tons of sandwich and side options

    (4)
  • Lucy S.

    While its fortifying to know there's a central location where one can quite conveniently and quickly get your hands on a truly GIANT blt in this town, I can't give Mama's much more than a lukewarm recommendation at this point in their tenure here in Iowa City. The problems are: 1) a lack of tempting sides...every single one feels like it's going to add a serious mayonnaise, grease or American cheese quotient to your meal 2) shredded lettuce...not into it 3) the way the pricing works feels weird. I mean, the sandwiches are HUGE. I don't even want a side. But then I only save a dollar if I don't get one. So I always get one. And then feel like they could have been better. I wouldn't even be quibbling over sides if you didn't make it a default for basic ordering. I could be writing a glowing blt review right now, about how the shredded lettuce can be forgiven when you consider the size and value of that blt. But having me pick a side dish and spend that extra $$ leaves it fair game to drag down this whole review. Cute store and nice staff make me generally happy to eat here when it comes up as a lunchtime option, despite the comments above. The mom pics on the walls are super cute...great idea!

    (2)
  • Elena C.

    If you're thinking about grabbing Jimmy John's or Subway for lunch, try this instead. Its even on the same street as both of those chain sub shops! The flavor of Mama's sandwiches is FAR superior to any deli sandwich in the land, imo. The customer service always beats out other restaurants too. The manager is a total sweetheart. Mama's offers so many great choices and sides; and their sauces/ingredients/FLAVOR beats out any other deli around. From the sublime avocado mayonnaise (I HATE mayo but LOVE Mama's avo mayo) on their turkey sandwich to the light creaminess of the bisque, the coziness of the mac and cheese, and the crunch of the finely chopped cucumbers on the sandwich, you can tell that this place makes each wich with TLC. I for one am hooked!

    (5)
  • Cheryl H.

    Soups are great and the sandwiches are fresh and made to your specs. I like the turkey the best. I find the staff very friendly and efficient. It feels homey in the dining room.

    (5)
  • Ariel G.

    Disappointing experience here today. Service was fine--quick and friendly--but the food was not up to par. A Subway is next door and in hindsight we should have picked it over this place. We shared a bowl of chili; I had the pastrami melt and my boyfriend had a Cuban. We each had small sides--mac and cheese and potato salad. I also ordered a pickle but they forgot it in my order. Our total bill was about $24. The sandwiches were fine but definitely medicore....not flavorful or unique enough to be worth 8 bucks each. The mac and cheese was awful. Undone--crunchy noodles--and bland. Potato salad was fine. The chili was WAY too spicy, even for my boyfriend who likes spice. We crumbled crackers in it...and the crackers were stale! Very disappointed--would not return especially with lots of other tasty options in Iowa city.

    (2)
  • Dana D.

    I was taking a 2 week engineering class at the UoI and was told that I had to check this place out. I don't usually eat from the same place more than a couple times, but I think I ate here 4/6 days after finding out about it. The owners are very nice as are the other staff that work here. The sandwiches are great! I would get the special (sandwich and a side, which could be soup for just $6) to try some things that I normally wouldn't and they are fresh, tasty, and have so many options. They have a lot of sides of which I tried the mac n cheese, lobster bisque soup, potato salad...all of which were very good. Would definitely recommend this to anyone in the area looking for some different and better than your chain stores.

    (5)
  • Jenna F.

    Good sandwiches, but the cashier was rude. Need to improve customer service.

    (2)
  • Katie S.

    This place was great. Nice ladies at the counter, we order quickly and our food was brought out to us fast. The food was great. I got a tuna salad sandwich and loved it. I would suggest ordered a half sandwich though cause the whole on can feed 2 people. They were crowded at lunch time and seemed to need more tables.

    (5)
  • Will S.

    Really good tuna salad. Nice selection of not-chip sides. Super nice cashier lady. All in all, this is one of the first times in a while that I have not been disappointed with an Iowa City restaurant

    (4)
  • Rob S.

    Mama's is one of the 1st places I think of when I think of lunch. Their sandwiches are excellent. Muffalatta is heavy on the olives so if your an olives fan you will love this sandwich. The grilled cheese is soooo good. Puts Marco's to shame. If you ate this sandwich drunk, you would be in grilled cheese heaven. Cheese, bacon, and tomato on excellent bread. Roast Beef sandwhich is served rare and is tastey. I would try their carrot ginger soup- very unique interesting flavor. The owner is super friendly and the environment is so welcoming. Great place to nosh in Iowa City!

    (5)
  • Sandra A.

    For Iowa City's pathetic deli scene, Mama's is five-star, but I'm going to rate it as I'd rate any deli. I have to admire the fact that Mama's makes a lot of their things in-house. Soups, salads, even their whole grain bread (I believe) are homemade. Their prices are super reasonable all considered, and the counter guy Mike is an inspiration. Though the remodeled decor seems a bit at odds with the Hendrix playing in the kitchen (and the $1 coffee served usually lukewarm in a styrofoam cup, which many pieces of my soul loves), I never have a bad time sitting at Mama's. My gripe, I guess, is that their food isn't as tasty as it should be. A lame critique, I know. But when I order a sandwich, I want to be in love with that sandwich. There are also things to avoid on the menu. The hoagies suck. Their muffalatta is gross. Their allowance of meat on any given sandwich feels Iowa stingy. Mama's, I believe, could handle being New York generous.

    (3)
  • Wilkie C.

    nice atmosphere but my sandwich was not so good.

    (2)
  • J P.

    This is one of my "go to" places for lunch. It's nice to see a locally owned and operated business that is actually operated by people who know what they are doing. I'm the type of person who walks up to the counter and has to consider all the menu items before picking something. The counter people have always been helpful and friendly. The sandwiches are tasty and the combos are priced right. After ordering they bring out your meal to your table. Restaurant has a home style feel to it, good destination for conversations over lunch. I'll be back again.

    (4)
  • Mia C.

    This place doesn't stick out to much, and the first time I went here, I did so reluctantly. I'm so glad I went in the long run because this place rocks. They have an awesome selection of sandwiches, salads, and sides. They advertise that they use Boars Head meats. My favorite so far is the Muffalatta, which had olive spread, and lots of meats! Their pesto is a great side, as well as their potato salad. It is a little pricey for my college student taste however. If your on a budget stick to jimmy johns and subway. If you have a little extra to spend and you want deli food however, you better come here!

    (4)
  • Noomi J.

    The bf used to eat here all the time when he lived nearby. We ordered his go-to, the buffalo turkey sandwich with a side of mac. Delicious and well-sized. Friendly service. Quaint & comfortable interior.

    (4)
  • Christopher T.

    This place is amazing. Great sandwiches, decent soups, amazing service. This place makes exceptional sandwiches but to be honest they could make 3 or 4 star sandwiches and I'd still go just to see Linn at the register. The service at mamas is welcoming and comforting. Great downtown location. Cheap and tasty daily specials.

    (5)
  • Dolan M.

    Good stop for a sandwich or wrap if you're downtown. The owner is very perky and will try to remember your name. Service is prompt and consistent even when it's busy. Most of the sandwiches are great, although a few are disappointing. My favorite is the roast beef with chipotle mayo instead of the horseradish mayo. I also think the veggie sandwich is great. The sides are good but not amazing - they make a good chickpea salad and pesto pasta salad. I miss the sweet potato salad they used to have. They also offer 5-6 different soups at a time. Some of the soups are too salty for my taste, but I did have an excellent Butternut Squash last winter.

    (3)
  • Sean W.

    Kinda your typical small deli competing for originality and the "small guy" amongst the chains. Its right outside the PedMall towards the Mall and near Subway and the USPS. Cant miss the blue and yellow storefront and awning and chalkboard with the days soups listed. They do have a nice selection of rotating soups you cant often many places (I like to stop in for their lobster bisque and various chiles too). I typically go for lunch and get the 1/2 sandwich and cup of soup special for like $5.50-6ish). Good sandwiches, but dont expect huge/filing portions. Though satisfying for lunch.

    (3)
  • Jake I.

    If you work downtown and pass mama's on your way to get lunch you are missing out. Great selection of sandwiches, hot entrees and sides. I had a reuben, coleslaw and chips. One of the best ruebens I have had in awhile. The coleslaw is not your typical recipe. It was more of a honey-stone ground mustard dressing but was really good. The Mrs vickies chips are awesome, too. If its not in your lunch rotation, it should be.

    (4)
  • Honesty H.

    I agree with a previous poster who commented on the owner running hot and cold... however, my term for her would be "rude" and my impression is that she's mostly concerned with her profits, rather than her customers (and she'll even let you know by refusing to put ingredients (that are INCLUDED in your sandwich) on the side. For example, I like tomatoes, but I don't like them in my sandwich. Was it REALLY that big of a problem to put it on the side???). The food was okay, not great... and WAY over-priced for what you get. My advice? If this is your only option - it's better than nothing. But, it's NOT your only option... so I'd suggest finding another place for lunch.

    (1)
  • Austin B.

    Good sandwich, good soup, but $9 for a soup and salad is pretty steep. The price puts it in the 'premium lunch' category, but you won't feel like you are getting anything special for it.

    (3)
  • Carol C.

    not impressed...not impressed. the food is actually not that bad taste-wise. however, for the price you pay and for the size you get...doesn't really sit well with me...maybe i've been spoiled by new york style delis for the past 4 years during my college days, but the sandwiches here are just regular ol' sandwiches that i could fix up at home. i'd honestly rather settle for quiznos or subway (cuz it's cheaper).

    (3)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :9:00 am - 7:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : Yes
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : No
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : Yes

Mama’s Deli & Catering

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