stewartk 0 May 09,2010

good basic italian food

I always come here with my kids. It is no high end and more like a family dining place. lots hustle and bustle and you won't be the only family there.

The price is low and food is not great. well, you get what you pay for.

among all the dishes we tried, I can vouch for the veal with spaghetti on the side and the seafood pasta dish.

tags: family dining

BobBarker 0 Apr 11,2010

I just don't get it

Honestly, I just don't get it. This place does huge business -- lineups out the door -- but I find their food to be mediocre at best. The prices are fantastic but the joy ends right there. I have lived in this neighbourhood for over thirteen years and have only gone to Mamma Martino's about five times. Each time, I walk in with the intention to give them another chance and they fail every time.

Their "Chef's Salad" is a hack job consisting or ICEBERG lettuce and some boring, pesto- ish dressing -- and a lot of sodium.

Their tomato sauce. Wow. Bland. Uninspiring. It's incredible, considering that tomato sauce is THE BASIS of much of italian cuisine. This stuff could have easily come out of a can.

Their pizza is OK but you'd get a better one at the Queensway/Royal York corner: Pizza Nova CHAIN pizza is superior to it.

The kicker for me was when I once ordered their veal. God, it was a thin, gristly disaster -- especially once you've ever had a California Sandwich veal or the quite excellent Plum Tomato menu -- or Thyme 4. Plum Tomato; now THAT's good italian food. It's only a couple of minutes east of Mamma Martino's in from of the Ontario Food Terminal. And Thyme 4, further west and before Islington, is pretty good. Get take-out from them because their servings are LARGER than their dine-in portions. You could feed two off of a single take-out order -- and their prices are a bit cheaper than Rocco's. But, of course, no one is cheaper than Martino's... and it shows.

I don't care what volume of business this place gets but the fact that almost NONE of their items are over $10 in this day and age of (often overpriced) italian foods speaks for itself. Don't fall prey to their prices OR the hype. You've been warned.

tags: martinos, mamma

roseanna Dec 16,2009

the food is awful they use the same sauce for everything i dont
know why its jam packed. my parents like it but i will never go
back again

Patrick Nov 13,2009

I have been going here for over ten years and I have never had a meal that I did not like. Chickena and Veal Parmigiana is great, Lasagna, Gnochi, Canneloni and Pizza are superb. Calamari is the best that I have ever had. Great service and atmosphere. Take out is also exceptional

lin Sep 15,2009

that 14. included tip,bread,and the linguini pescatore, this is the only place I have had calamari cooked properly! definately better than the rest. Service amazing, fast friendly and very helpful.
as for thyme4 I got half my mussels unopened leaking black spoiled liquid on the others,tried again same mess..thy are going to kill someone stay away!

Rachelle Sep 01,2009

Just moved to the area, so went walking around to discover things. Came across this place and love it. Owner was very friendly, atmosphere is casual but nice, food size was very good, taste wasn't GREAT but still good, wine prices were excellent...I felt very at home there and love the family feel. It will be probably my new neighborhood spot.

sira damiani Aug 28,2009

Holy Moly! What reviews!

I wonder if some of the people actually ate there...or if they were on strong medication. I have never and I repeat never had a bad meal there. I am wholly Italian and am co-writer for a wine and food magazine in Woodbridge. I have eaten fine and also inferior Italian food and will say without equivocation that the meals at Mama Martino are the top 5 of the restaurants I have ever eaten in. It is authentic fare and well prepared. My food arrived hot and flavourful. The mussels were plump and juicy (what a treat that was). The pasta al dente and the sauce magnificent. The prices were reasonable and the portions more than satisfactory. I cannot say too much about this establishment, except to try it for yourself and make your own decision about the food, ambience, price and service. The place impressed me and the service was prompt and friendly. Good appetite!!!

table of 5 Jun 29,2009

we were celebrating a birthday. this was our first and last visit here. food tasteless and bland, cold and pasta undercooked, sauce bitter, salad was different, no refills on pop, no parking available and the staff looked like they were dressed for the beach. find a different place to eat.

Suzi Jun 10,2009

Mama Martino's one of the worst places i have been. i would never ever go here again terrible people and food. it took us a hour to get a stone cold burned pizza. NEVER EVER GO HERE ANYONE!!!