Purchased dinner here for my family tonight. We are consistent in what we get. Teriyaki Beef, Chicken Katsu, my husband gets the sausage with eggs when available. Food is great. Everyone is always friendly and the music is so relaxing. We got our order to go tonight and they forgot to put or brownies in the bag. :( we were looking forward to those too as they looked delicious
(4)
Erika J.
Very tasty food. Opened and colorful space makes it great for children. The Portuguese sausage tastes great. I recommend and will definitely be back to try other dishes.
(3)
Anthony M.
Food portion was small for a $20 meal. the teriyaki chicken was bland and not what I expected. I also ordered a Lemon Lipton tea and they gave me the wrong tea. It may not be that big of a deal but for paying all this money you'd think you'd get more for your money. Needs some more improvement. The delivery woman also was kind of rude and handed me the food and walked away very fast before even saying anything even though I tipped via credit card.
(1)
Jayne E.
I ****HATE**** complaining but I am afraid I have to on this occasion. I have been to Mama's once before and the food was so-so. My mum is over from England and my daughter came over to visit for the day so I decided that it would be nice for us to take my mum to Mama's Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue for a late lunch. Well ..... mum ordered the short ribs and fries and a side salad... myself and my daughter being vegetarian ordered the tofu and brown rice and side salad (I had reviewed the menu online and was happy that tofu was listed). Our side salad came prior to our main meal and Mum was kind of upset that the salad was served on small paper plates and fell off all over the table. When we got our main meal the ribs were not at all what was expected - TONS of fat and bones and hardly any meat (the meat was dry and really not edible, mum only ate a couple of bites)!!! The fries were hot on the outside and looked somewhat appealing but tasted uncooked in the middle (could not eat them either)! OK - onto the tofu - 4 small slices of tofu with a spattering of sauce on them, they were not marinated, had no taste and were barely warm (we covered the tofu in BBQ sauce to add a bit of flavor). The brown rice with the tofu was hard and barely cooked! All in all this was a terrible experience and I will not be returning. The young guy who served us was very pleasant so we had no complaints towards him. The food was awful and I was embarrassed as I had thought this was a cool place to bring my mum visiting me but I was wrong!! I cooked for her when we got back home :(
(1)
Vanessa F.
Excellent family meals at great prices. We go to the Sahuarita location. It is always something our family looks forward to when we choose to eat out. We love the chicken teriyaki and the kalua pork with white rice. The staff are always friendly and the service is prompt. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Andrew D.
Bad customer service and below average quality food at too high a price. It is too bad that Sahuarita doesn't have better food options.
(2)
Lorrin C.
Tonight's dinner WAS mahi with two mac salad. Nice size piece of fish in a huge to go container so the helping of mac was very generous. I am full and happy. :p. I also got loco moco to go and will have that for breakfast tomorrow. The over easy egg firmed up on the way home and will be more so when I rewarm it tomorrow. Be that as it may, I expect it to still be good, tasty, and filling.
(3)
Joanne L.
Living in Rancho we dont have many food options & I think this is one of the better choices.. I really like the teriyaki chicken but thats where it ends... I dont like the Kalua pork it was very salty and soggy the guy told me its authentic hawaiian flavored lol but I recently returned from Hawaii where we stayed on Oahu and Kauai and the Kalua pork tasted nothing like the sloppy mess Mama's is serving, the macaroni salad was not good either!!! I would come again but only because the choices are slim!! EDITED AUG 2013 Not sure what happened but Mama's has stepped it up the once medioca macaroni salad is now on point its delicious and we LOVE the Teriyaki Chicken (we always order extra of the sauce and pour it over our chicken, fries rice) I am glad I gave Mamas a 2nd chance.... we are now regulars.. If you once werent happy with this place try again its got much better!
(4)
Ella M.
I do not know what the hype is about this place. I love Hawaiian bbq and this place was a disappointment. My chicken was either too dry or burned or not cooked through. The sauces were bland and left a lot to be desired. Plus...there were zero veggies. I'm used to at least a side of cabbage or carrots or brocoli and here...nada! I was really looking forward to trying something new when it comes to Hawaiian BBQ....this didn't live up to the expectations.
(2)
Leslie S.
Very disappointing. Everything looked and tasted processed and pre-made. I could have made it better myself at home and it would have been fresh! I had teriyaki steak lunch special and steak seemed under-whelming and and saturated in generic teriyaki sauce. Side salad (which I had to pay extra for) was no better than bagged salad you buy at grocery store and mango salsa also tasted like canned pineapple was used. I actually live in Marana and was in Sahuarita for work; first and last visit!
(1)
Melissa A.
I eat here probably once or twice a week. The prices just keep going up. Tonight I was going to order online and decided to save a few bucks in delivery and go pick it up. I would have saved by having it delivered. I'm just done. I won't eat here anymore. This restaurant can die a miserable death like the rest of the restaurants in Sahuarita and I hope Chipotle moves in. Go to Pub 22 instead. The food is not even consistently good.
(1)
S M.
I ordered delivery tonight and got an email an hour later saying my order was canceled because the delivery driver couldn't find me and couldn't reach my cell. He never even attempted to delivery my food or call me, I have zero missed calls and my location is super easy to find. So now I have nothing to eat all night cause that was supposed to be my dinner at work. In short, their delivery drivers are both incompetent and lazy and will do whatever they can to avoid providing your food if it nears the end of their shift.
(1)
Bernie F.
Pretty good shredded pork and macaroni salad! A tad on the expensive side for lunch but I would eat here again.
(4)
MaryAnn L.
Being that I am from Hawaii, I will be a bit more critical with this one. I'll start off with what I liked about Mama's... As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by an awesome and friendly staff. Plus, the music takes me back home. I like that they opened one here in Sahuarita, saves the drive to Tucson when I'm craving those kalbi ribs =) Been here a few times before. (I normally do take out though.) A bit pricey, but I gotta satisfy those cravings! Lol. The kalbi ribs are the reason why I come back. Make sure to ask for extra teriyaki sauce to pour over everything! The chicken katsu is good too. Good portions are always given. The overall plate lunch is just ok I guess. The sides that I usually order with my plate are the macaroni salad and rice. I don't know why I order it, but I only always have a few bites of each! Soooo not like the sides from back home. (If you're from Hawaii or have ever had a plate lunch in the islands, you know what I mean. I gotta make my own rice before I eat...lol) I wonder if I could just order a la carte next time? If it wasn't for the Kalbi & the friendly staff, I think I would have rated lower. By the way, they also have some desserts on the menu. I bought a coconut macadamia lemon bar, which was a pretty big piece! It was yummy! =)
(2)
Carrie B.
Crazy enough, this could be the best restaurant I have eaten at in Tucson and it is definitely the best in Sahuarita/Green Valley area. It's refreshingly different and well worth taking the family or out-of-towners for dine-in or take-out. It's a marvel how in the middle of the Sonoran Desert a restaurant can be Hawaiian and actually be good. I'm not saying it's like Hawaiian food because I don't know. What I can say is how much joy my family got from watching me tear into my rib plate and actually lose control of them at one point slapping myself along the cheek with the whole strip. As they laughed I said, "I think I got the juice on my shoulder". But truly, the food is outstanding. The 'Big Kahuna' is a good way to try their steak, chicken and pulled pork but, the star of the show was the pulled pork. Just moist enough to go really well with the Smoky BBQ. The french fries are steak fries, the toddler loved them. The hubs got the burger and he said it was great, seemingly very high quality beef. The chicken wings are delish. Crispy and ready for your sauce pick. Know Before You Go: + It may take a little longer than some quick-casual style places to get your food.Don't worry, it's worth it. + While you wait, make sure you've got a full sauce caddy at your table. Hubs loved the Smoky BBQ, I liked the Teriyaki. There are soy sauce and Tangy BBQ, too. + Skip the mac and cheese, it's just Kraft. + Do NOT skip the macaroni salad. It's dynamite. As for dessert: The lemon macadamia squares and pineapple upside-down cake are tops. Don't miss them. The cheesecake brownie is good, it's just not as good as the other two in our opinion!
(5)
David G.
Don't expect too much from Mama's -- it's just a small place where you order at a counter from a menu displayed above it. There are about ten choices, including the usual "Hawaiian" staples such as Kahlua pork (really just pulled pork), Chicken Katsu, Kalbi (ribs), etc. This is not much like real Hawaiian food, although the Spam and Loco Moco are island touches. In any case, the food is decent -- maybe a bit better than decent. Even the hamburger (you can have it American style, or Hawaiian style, meaning they add a slice of pineapple) was better than average. Mama's is not cheap but it does give decent value for your money. If in the area, I would recommend you stop by.
(4)
James O.
I gave Mama's a three star rating. It's definately above average for the area but just mediocre if all dining experiences are considered. Don't get me wrong, if you're new to the area (or just visiting) and are looking for a great place to eat...go. I've tried most of what's offered here and I highly recomend the Loco Moco. Its a properly seasoned hamburger patty served on white rice. They throw a fried egg on top and cover it all with gravey. I think they might put crack or something in the gravey 'cause its highly addictive.
(3)
J. A.
I love this place and can't get enough of it. I'm so glad that they moved into Sahuarita. Food is almost always excellent and the service is amazing. I go at least once a month, if not more often, but I have to admit I always get the same thing. Get the Big Kahuna plate and prepare to share. The serving size is enough for two adults with normal appetites to share. Only disappointing thing is their macaroni salad. It tastes and looks just like mayo spread on some elbow macaroni. I get a double order of rice and their teriyaki sauce makes it all so so so worth it. Plus - their desserts? Gah. The pineapple upside down cake is DIVINE. The topping is melt in your mouth good and the cake is moist and rich without being overwhelmingly sweet.
(5)
Cathy S.
We went just last week for the second time, could not stay away. We both had the big kahuna. The meat was so tender perfectly cooked and the macaroni salad is to die for. So glad there is a great lunch/dinner spot out here.
(5)
Bash A.
This was my first time eating here and I have to say that the food was very good. I had the loco moco with and overhard egg. My spouse had the big kahuna. My food was very tasty and the gravy was just right. The big kahuna had a very good choice of meats with lots of flavor. The service was good. We were welcomed and the staff from the cook to the management was very friendly. One special note, the staff changed the channel on the tv so my daughter could watch tv. That help is enjoy dinner :) I recommend this establishment.
(4)
Jim P.
I haven't been back here in a while but we came in for lunch today and it was still is consistently good as it's always been absolutely wonderful
(5)
Mike S.
The Good: Kalua Pork, great Hawaiian music, friendly staff and I loved the Smokey BBQ Sauce. The Bad: Not impressed with the Teriyaki Chicken or the Macadamia Tilapia, just both way too dry and nothing unique about it.
(2)
Anthony S.
Happy to say I've eaten at Mama's twice since the last visit. Tried the chicken and pork again, twenty times better. Kalua pork was well balanced in terms of salt and moisture. The Teriyaki chicken was tender and had just the right flavors of sweet and salty. Macaroni salad was spot on with the dressing. Fries were still a little blah, but nothing some excellent chili and Teriyaki sauce can't overcome. I've come to understand, establishments have off days and need to be tried twice. The owner also reached out to me based on my previous review. High respect for a business that will try to make good on their mistakes! Sorry this came a little late, but good job Mama's! You've won me over.
(4)
Elizabeth C.
We have eaten lunch at this location twice now. The kahlua pork is my favorite entree. The macaroni salad is delish. The side salad is nicer than you'd expect and I recommend the oriental dressing. Today we hiked over 4 hours in Madeira Canyon so we felt we had earned a piece of pineapple upside down cake. We got it to go and had it for dessert after dinner It was sublime!
(4)
Carrie G.
Not what a Hawaiian BBQ place should be at all. I did have their Loco Moco, and that was okay, but there wasn't a side of macaroni salad or cabbage. That is a red flag that it isn't authentic enough. Bah! Not only that, but they didn't even have Hawaiian Sun drinks. What kind of Hawaiian joint doesn't have Hawaiian Sun?! Blasphemy! That's all I have to say. Not cool Mama's, not cool.
(2)
Jerry M.
Food is ok, in my opinion a lil bland. I've gone a total of 5 times and have tried multiple items, nothing has really wowed me. In a town were we literally have 5 restaurants I'd like some variety and flavor.
(2)
Gary H.
We went to Mama's BBQ a while ago and haven't been back since. I had the beef teriyaki which had allot of gristle that ruined the dish. They seem to not take pride in what they serve.
(2)
Eric G.
You can eat healthy if you want to here. They have fish as an entree and veggies as a side, which is not always true with Hawaiian BBQ places where there is no avoiding the Mac salad. Even the teriyaki chicken was made with chicken breast as opposed to thighs.
(3)
Jonathan R.
Great break from the Mexican food routine. Kalua pig had no cabbage and was a bit salty but tasted quite good paired with white rice. The Mahi-Mahi was the highlight. Pineapple upside down cake was really good too. Great change of pace while traveling through the SW.
(4)
Hector G.
I'm not sure what it is about this place but my family really loves it. The dishes seem fresh and have a great mix to them. This place is clean, the people are friendly and they have an easy to get to location. If you have not been but you have been thinking of going...I would go at least once and give it a shot. I do not think you will be disappointed.
(4)
The S.
When I have money and time, I like to treat myself to this place. They have the best Chicken Katsu (moist chicken even though its breaded) and Loco Moco.(Best wear your stretch pants for this one as you will eat the whole plate) Both dishes are always cooked and presented very well. I recommend this place to try something different if your adventurous.
(4)
Amy K.
Pulled pork sliders.......................yes. It was the special that day, and I will never regret ordering it. So delicious. This place is kind of a diamond-in-the-rough, I feel like. I'm not familiar with the area, but I just wasn't expecting a Hawaiian BBQ place in this area. Pro note: there's free wifi! :)
(4)
C B.
The food is really good. I've eaten there on more than one occasion. Today however, the gentleman working there, Manny, was on the phone almost the entire time and couldn't even be bothered to say hello when my family and I walked in for Father's Day lunch. My sister ordered the same thing for all 3 of us. However, apparently he "didn't hear her" when she said she wanted 3 meals and only put in for one. So by the time we realized the mistake, we only had one meal ready to eat. We didn't want to stay longer to wait for the other 2, so we boxed up the one meal and left. I would not go there again. Especially when that particular person is working.
(2)
Cherie T.
I was excited to try this place since I have not had the pleasure of Hawaiian cuisine. I wish I could say it was great. I ordered the plate with teriyaki chicken/beef and Kahlua pork. It came with a side of cold macaroni salad and two scoops of rice. I had seen many reviews about the pork, so I was anxious to try it. The texture of the pork was displeasing. I needed more body for lack of a better term; it was mushy. It didn't have much flavor. I used the BBQ sauce provided at the table and found myself drowning my pork in it. The teriyaki had more flavor, but it wasn't exciting. For a Hawaiian meal, it was not something I would want to order again. Given such good reviews on Foursquare and Yelp, I can't help, but wonder if I just caught them on a bad day? The service was very nice. I am willing to go back and try something else on the menu.
(2)
Mauricio C.
We finally tried this place and what a disappointment. Their tilapia dish was tasteless and their oriental chicken salad was simply mediocre. Save your money and head to Fry's deli or Subway down the street
(1)
Debby A.
MaMa's is a hit if you like Teriyaki!
(4)
John T.
I'm proud to have this establishment in my neighborhood. They offer good food, with good service, at reasonable prices. My family and I regularly get the Big Kahuna since we love the variety. Portion wise, they have pretty large portions, so coupled with the good food, we keep going back. Further, they support our community, a few months back they had at least (1) fundraiser I heard about for a local school, so I made sure to dine with them that particular evening. What more could we ask for from a business in our community?
(4)
Jethro B.
Very pleasant and reasonably priced local eatery. Service was cheerful, and the teriyaki was tasty.
(3)
Brian I.
Super Duper....!!!!
(4)
Jayne E.
I ****HATE**** complaining but I am afraid I have to on this occasion. I have been to Mama's once before and the food was so-so. My mum is over from England and my daughter came over to visit for the day so I decided that it would be nice for us to take my mum to Mama's Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue for a late lunch. Well ..... mum ordered the short ribs and fries and a side salad... myself and my daughter being vegetarian ordered the tofu and brown rice and side salad (I had reviewed the menu online and was happy that tofu was listed). Our side salad came prior to our main meal and Mum was kind of upset that the salad was served on small paper plates and fell off all over the table. When we got our main meal the ribs were not at all what was expected - TONS of fat and bones and hardly any meat (the meat was dry and really not edible, mum only ate a couple of bites)!!! The fries were hot on the outside and looked somewhat appealing but tasted uncooked in the middle (could not eat them either)! OK - onto the tofu - 4 small slices of tofu with a spattering of sauce on them, they were not marinated, had no taste and were barely warm (we covered the tofu in BBQ sauce to add a bit of flavor). The brown rice with the tofu was hard and barely cooked! All in all this was a terrible experience and I will not be returning. The young guy who served us was very pleasant so we had no complaints towards him. The food was awful and I was embarrassed as I had thought this was a cool place to bring my mum visiting me but I was wrong!! I cooked for her when we got back home :(
(1)
Vanessa F.
Excellent family meals at great prices. We go to the Sahuarita location. It is always something our family looks forward to when we choose to eat out. We love the chicken teriyaki and the kalua pork with white rice. The staff are always friendly and the service is prompt. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Andrew D.
Bad customer service and below average quality food at too high a price. It is too bad that Sahuarita doesn't have better food options.
(2)
Lorrin C.
Tonight's dinner WAS mahi with two mac salad. Nice size piece of fish in a huge to go container so the helping of mac was very generous. I am full and happy. :p. I also got loco moco to go and will have that for breakfast tomorrow. The over easy egg firmed up on the way home and will be more so when I rewarm it tomorrow. Be that as it may, I expect it to still be good, tasty, and filling.
(3)
Bernie F.
Pretty good shredded pork and macaroni salad! A tad on the expensive side for lunch but I would eat here again.
(4)
The S.
When I have money and time, I like to treat myself to this place. They have the best Chicken Katsu (moist chicken even though its breaded) and Loco Moco.(Best wear your stretch pants for this one as you will eat the whole plate) Both dishes are always cooked and presented very well. I recommend this place to try something different if your adventurous.
(4)
MaryAnn L.
Being that I am from Hawaii, I will be a bit more critical with this one. I'll start off with what I liked about Mama's... As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by an awesome and friendly staff. Plus, the music takes me back home. I like that they opened one here in Sahuarita, saves the drive to Tucson when I'm craving those kalbi ribs =) Been here a few times before. (I normally do take out though.) A bit pricey, but I gotta satisfy those cravings! Lol. The kalbi ribs are the reason why I come back. Make sure to ask for extra teriyaki sauce to pour over everything! The chicken katsu is good too. Good portions are always given. The overall plate lunch is just ok I guess. The sides that I usually order with my plate are the macaroni salad and rice. I don't know why I order it, but I only always have a few bites of each! Soooo not like the sides from back home. (If you're from Hawaii or have ever had a plate lunch in the islands, you know what I mean. I gotta make my own rice before I eat...lol) I wonder if I could just order a la carte next time? If it wasn't for the Kalbi & the friendly staff, I think I would have rated lower. By the way, they also have some desserts on the menu. I bought a coconut macadamia lemon bar, which was a pretty big piece! It was yummy! =)
(2)
Carrie B.
Crazy enough, this could be the best restaurant I have eaten at in Tucson and it is definitely the best in Sahuarita/Green Valley area. It's refreshingly different and well worth taking the family or out-of-towners for dine-in or take-out. It's a marvel how in the middle of the Sonoran Desert a restaurant can be Hawaiian and actually be good. I'm not saying it's like Hawaiian food because I don't know. What I can say is how much joy my family got from watching me tear into my rib plate and actually lose control of them at one point slapping myself along the cheek with the whole strip. As they laughed I said, "I think I got the juice on my shoulder". But truly, the food is outstanding. The 'Big Kahuna' is a good way to try their steak, chicken and pulled pork but, the star of the show was the pulled pork. Just moist enough to go really well with the Smoky BBQ. The french fries are steak fries, the toddler loved them. The hubs got the burger and he said it was great, seemingly very high quality beef. The chicken wings are delish. Crispy and ready for your sauce pick. Know Before You Go: + It may take a little longer than some quick-casual style places to get your food.Don't worry, it's worth it. + While you wait, make sure you've got a full sauce caddy at your table. Hubs loved the Smoky BBQ, I liked the Teriyaki. There are soy sauce and Tangy BBQ, too. + Skip the mac and cheese, it's just Kraft. + Do NOT skip the macaroni salad. It's dynamite. As for dessert: The lemon macadamia squares and pineapple upside-down cake are tops. Don't miss them. The cheesecake brownie is good, it's just not as good as the other two in our opinion!
(5)
Melissa A.
I eat here probably once or twice a week. The prices just keep going up. Tonight I was going to order online and decided to save a few bucks in delivery and go pick it up. I would have saved by having it delivered. I'm just done. I won't eat here anymore. This restaurant can die a miserable death like the rest of the restaurants in Sahuarita and I hope Chipotle moves in. Go to Pub 22 instead. The food is not even consistently good.
(1)
Joanne L.
Living in Rancho we dont have many food options & I think this is one of the better choices.. I really like the teriyaki chicken but thats where it ends... I dont like the Kalua pork it was very salty and soggy the guy told me its authentic hawaiian flavored lol but I recently returned from Hawaii where we stayed on Oahu and Kauai and the Kalua pork tasted nothing like the sloppy mess Mama's is serving, the macaroni salad was not good either!!! I would come again but only because the choices are slim!! EDITED AUG 2013 Not sure what happened but Mama's has stepped it up the once medioca macaroni salad is now on point its delicious and we LOVE the Teriyaki Chicken (we always order extra of the sauce and pour it over our chicken, fries rice) I am glad I gave Mamas a 2nd chance.... we are now regulars.. If you once werent happy with this place try again its got much better!
(4)
Ella M.
I do not know what the hype is about this place. I love Hawaiian bbq and this place was a disappointment. My chicken was either too dry or burned or not cooked through. The sauces were bland and left a lot to be desired. Plus...there were zero veggies. I'm used to at least a side of cabbage or carrots or brocoli and here...nada! I was really looking forward to trying something new when it comes to Hawaiian BBQ....this didn't live up to the expectations.
(2)
Leslie S.
Very disappointing. Everything looked and tasted processed and pre-made. I could have made it better myself at home and it would have been fresh! I had teriyaki steak lunch special and steak seemed under-whelming and and saturated in generic teriyaki sauce. Side salad (which I had to pay extra for) was no better than bagged salad you buy at grocery store and mango salsa also tasted like canned pineapple was used. I actually live in Marana and was in Sahuarita for work; first and last visit!
(1)
Bash A.
This was my first time eating here and I have to say that the food was very good. I had the loco moco with and overhard egg. My spouse had the big kahuna. My food was very tasty and the gravy was just right. The big kahuna had a very good choice of meats with lots of flavor. The service was good. We were welcomed and the staff from the cook to the management was very friendly. One special note, the staff changed the channel on the tv so my daughter could watch tv. That help is enjoy dinner :) I recommend this establishment.
(4)
Jim P.
I haven't been back here in a while but we came in for lunch today and it was still is consistently good as it's always been absolutely wonderful
(5)
Mike S.
The Good: Kalua Pork, great Hawaiian music, friendly staff and I loved the Smokey BBQ Sauce. The Bad: Not impressed with the Teriyaki Chicken or the Macadamia Tilapia, just both way too dry and nothing unique about it.
(2)
Anthony S.
Happy to say I've eaten at Mama's twice since the last visit. Tried the chicken and pork again, twenty times better. Kalua pork was well balanced in terms of salt and moisture. The Teriyaki chicken was tender and had just the right flavors of sweet and salty. Macaroni salad was spot on with the dressing. Fries were still a little blah, but nothing some excellent chili and Teriyaki sauce can't overcome. I've come to understand, establishments have off days and need to be tried twice. The owner also reached out to me based on my previous review. High respect for a business that will try to make good on their mistakes! Sorry this came a little late, but good job Mama's! You've won me over.
(4)
Elizabeth C.
We have eaten lunch at this location twice now. The kahlua pork is my favorite entree. The macaroni salad is delish. The side salad is nicer than you'd expect and I recommend the oriental dressing. Today we hiked over 4 hours in Madeira Canyon so we felt we had earned a piece of pineapple upside down cake. We got it to go and had it for dessert after dinner It was sublime!
(4)
Carrie G.
Not what a Hawaiian BBQ place should be at all. I did have their Loco Moco, and that was okay, but there wasn't a side of macaroni salad or cabbage. That is a red flag that it isn't authentic enough. Bah! Not only that, but they didn't even have Hawaiian Sun drinks. What kind of Hawaiian joint doesn't have Hawaiian Sun?! Blasphemy! That's all I have to say. Not cool Mama's, not cool.
(2)
Jerry M.
Food is ok, in my opinion a lil bland. I've gone a total of 5 times and have tried multiple items, nothing has really wowed me. In a town were we literally have 5 restaurants I'd like some variety and flavor.
(2)
Gary H.
We went to Mama's BBQ a while ago and haven't been back since. I had the beef teriyaki which had allot of gristle that ruined the dish. They seem to not take pride in what they serve.
(2)
Eric G.
You can eat healthy if you want to here. They have fish as an entree and veggies as a side, which is not always true with Hawaiian BBQ places where there is no avoiding the Mac salad. Even the teriyaki chicken was made with chicken breast as opposed to thighs.
(3)
Jonathan R.
Great break from the Mexican food routine. Kalua pig had no cabbage and was a bit salty but tasted quite good paired with white rice. The Mahi-Mahi was the highlight. Pineapple upside down cake was really good too. Great change of pace while traveling through the SW.
(4)
Hector G.
I'm not sure what it is about this place but my family really loves it. The dishes seem fresh and have a great mix to them. This place is clean, the people are friendly and they have an easy to get to location. If you have not been but you have been thinking of going...I would go at least once and give it a shot. I do not think you will be disappointed.
(4)
Amy K.
Pulled pork sliders.......................yes. It was the special that day, and I will never regret ordering it. So delicious. This place is kind of a diamond-in-the-rough, I feel like. I'm not familiar with the area, but I just wasn't expecting a Hawaiian BBQ place in this area. Pro note: there's free wifi! :)
(4)
C B.
The food is really good. I've eaten there on more than one occasion. Today however, the gentleman working there, Manny, was on the phone almost the entire time and couldn't even be bothered to say hello when my family and I walked in for Father's Day lunch. My sister ordered the same thing for all 3 of us. However, apparently he "didn't hear her" when she said she wanted 3 meals and only put in for one. So by the time we realized the mistake, we only had one meal ready to eat. We didn't want to stay longer to wait for the other 2, so we boxed up the one meal and left. I would not go there again. Especially when that particular person is working.
(2)
Cherie T.
I was excited to try this place since I have not had the pleasure of Hawaiian cuisine. I wish I could say it was great. I ordered the plate with teriyaki chicken/beef and Kahlua pork. It came with a side of cold macaroni salad and two scoops of rice. I had seen many reviews about the pork, so I was anxious to try it. The texture of the pork was displeasing. I needed more body for lack of a better term; it was mushy. It didn't have much flavor. I used the BBQ sauce provided at the table and found myself drowning my pork in it. The teriyaki had more flavor, but it wasn't exciting. For a Hawaiian meal, it was not something I would want to order again. Given such good reviews on Foursquare and Yelp, I can't help, but wonder if I just caught them on a bad day? The service was very nice. I am willing to go back and try something else on the menu.
(2)
Mauricio C.
We finally tried this place and what a disappointment. Their tilapia dish was tasteless and their oriental chicken salad was simply mediocre. Save your money and head to Fry's deli or Subway down the street
(1)
Debby A.
MaMa's is a hit if you like Teriyaki!
(4)
John T.
I'm proud to have this establishment in my neighborhood. They offer good food, with good service, at reasonable prices. My family and I regularly get the Big Kahuna since we love the variety. Portion wise, they have pretty large portions, so coupled with the good food, we keep going back. Further, they support our community, a few months back they had at least (1) fundraiser I heard about for a local school, so I made sure to dine with them that particular evening. What more could we ask for from a business in our community?
(4)
Jethro B.
Very pleasant and reasonably priced local eatery. Service was cheerful, and the teriyaki was tasty.
(3)
Brian I.
Super Duper....!!!!
(4)
David G.
Don't expect too much from Mama's -- it's just a small place where you order at a counter from a menu displayed above it. There are about ten choices, including the usual "Hawaiian" staples such as Kahlua pork (really just pulled pork), Chicken Katsu, Kalbi (ribs), etc. This is not much like real Hawaiian food, although the Spam and Loco Moco are island touches. In any case, the food is decent -- maybe a bit better than decent. Even the hamburger (you can have it American style, or Hawaiian style, meaning they add a slice of pineapple) was better than average. Mama's is not cheap but it does give decent value for your money. If in the area, I would recommend you stop by.
(4)
James O.
I gave Mama's a three star rating. It's definately above average for the area but just mediocre if all dining experiences are considered. Don't get me wrong, if you're new to the area (or just visiting) and are looking for a great place to eat...go. I've tried most of what's offered here and I highly recomend the Loco Moco. Its a properly seasoned hamburger patty served on white rice. They throw a fried egg on top and cover it all with gravey. I think they might put crack or something in the gravey 'cause its highly addictive.
(3)
J. A.
I love this place and can't get enough of it. I'm so glad that they moved into Sahuarita. Food is almost always excellent and the service is amazing. I go at least once a month, if not more often, but I have to admit I always get the same thing. Get the Big Kahuna plate and prepare to share. The serving size is enough for two adults with normal appetites to share. Only disappointing thing is their macaroni salad. It tastes and looks just like mayo spread on some elbow macaroni. I get a double order of rice and their teriyaki sauce makes it all so so so worth it. Plus - their desserts? Gah. The pineapple upside down cake is DIVINE. The topping is melt in your mouth good and the cake is moist and rich without being overwhelmingly sweet.
(5)
Cathy S.
We went just last week for the second time, could not stay away. We both had the big kahuna. The meat was so tender perfectly cooked and the macaroni salad is to die for. So glad there is a great lunch/dinner spot out here.
(5)
S M.
I ordered delivery tonight and got an email an hour later saying my order was canceled because the delivery driver couldn't find me and couldn't reach my cell. He never even attempted to delivery my food or call me, I have zero missed calls and my location is super easy to find. So now I have nothing to eat all night cause that was supposed to be my dinner at work. In short, their delivery drivers are both incompetent and lazy and will do whatever they can to avoid providing your food if it nears the end of their shift.
(1)
Amy M.
Purchased dinner here for my family tonight. We are consistent in what we get. Teriyaki Beef, Chicken Katsu, my husband gets the sausage with eggs when available. Food is great. Everyone is always friendly and the music is so relaxing. We got our order to go tonight and they forgot to put or brownies in the bag. :( we were looking forward to those too as they looked delicious
(4)
Erika J.
Very tasty food. Opened and colorful space makes it great for children. The Portuguese sausage tastes great. I recommend and will definitely be back to try other dishes.
(3)
Anthony M.
Food portion was small for a $20 meal. the teriyaki chicken was bland and not what I expected. I also ordered a Lemon Lipton tea and they gave me the wrong tea. It may not be that big of a deal but for paying all this money you'd think you'd get more for your money. Needs some more improvement. The delivery woman also was kind of rude and handed me the food and walked away very fast before even saying anything even though I tipped via credit card.
(1)
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Address :15990 S Rancho Sahuarita Blvd
Sahuarita, AZ, 85629
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot 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
Amy M.
Purchased dinner here for my family tonight. We are consistent in what we get. Teriyaki Beef, Chicken Katsu, my husband gets the sausage with eggs when available. Food is great. Everyone is always friendly and the music is so relaxing. We got our order to go tonight and they forgot to put or brownies in the bag. :( we were looking forward to those too as they looked delicious
(4)Erika J.
Very tasty food. Opened and colorful space makes it great for children. The Portuguese sausage tastes great. I recommend and will definitely be back to try other dishes.
(3)Anthony M.
Food portion was small for a $20 meal. the teriyaki chicken was bland and not what I expected. I also ordered a Lemon Lipton tea and they gave me the wrong tea. It may not be that big of a deal but for paying all this money you'd think you'd get more for your money. Needs some more improvement. The delivery woman also was kind of rude and handed me the food and walked away very fast before even saying anything even though I tipped via credit card.
(1)Jayne E.
I ****HATE**** complaining but I am afraid I have to on this occasion. I have been to Mama's once before and the food was so-so. My mum is over from England and my daughter came over to visit for the day so I decided that it would be nice for us to take my mum to Mama's Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue for a late lunch. Well ..... mum ordered the short ribs and fries and a side salad... myself and my daughter being vegetarian ordered the tofu and brown rice and side salad (I had reviewed the menu online and was happy that tofu was listed). Our side salad came prior to our main meal and Mum was kind of upset that the salad was served on small paper plates and fell off all over the table. When we got our main meal the ribs were not at all what was expected - TONS of fat and bones and hardly any meat (the meat was dry and really not edible, mum only ate a couple of bites)!!! The fries were hot on the outside and looked somewhat appealing but tasted uncooked in the middle (could not eat them either)! OK - onto the tofu - 4 small slices of tofu with a spattering of sauce on them, they were not marinated, had no taste and were barely warm (we covered the tofu in BBQ sauce to add a bit of flavor). The brown rice with the tofu was hard and barely cooked! All in all this was a terrible experience and I will not be returning. The young guy who served us was very pleasant so we had no complaints towards him. The food was awful and I was embarrassed as I had thought this was a cool place to bring my mum visiting me but I was wrong!! I cooked for her when we got back home :(
(1)Vanessa F.
Excellent family meals at great prices. We go to the Sahuarita location. It is always something our family looks forward to when we choose to eat out. We love the chicken teriyaki and the kalua pork with white rice. The staff are always friendly and the service is prompt. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Andrew D.
Bad customer service and below average quality food at too high a price. It is too bad that Sahuarita doesn't have better food options.
(2)Lorrin C.
Tonight's dinner WAS mahi with two mac salad. Nice size piece of fish in a huge to go container so the helping of mac was very generous. I am full and happy. :p. I also got loco moco to go and will have that for breakfast tomorrow. The over easy egg firmed up on the way home and will be more so when I rewarm it tomorrow. Be that as it may, I expect it to still be good, tasty, and filling.
(3)Joanne L.
Living in Rancho we dont have many food options & I think this is one of the better choices.. I really like the teriyaki chicken but thats where it ends... I dont like the Kalua pork it was very salty and soggy the guy told me its authentic hawaiian flavored lol but I recently returned from Hawaii where we stayed on Oahu and Kauai and the Kalua pork tasted nothing like the sloppy mess Mama's is serving, the macaroni salad was not good either!!! I would come again but only because the choices are slim!! EDITED AUG 2013 Not sure what happened but Mama's has stepped it up the once medioca macaroni salad is now on point its delicious and we LOVE the Teriyaki Chicken (we always order extra of the sauce and pour it over our chicken, fries rice) I am glad I gave Mamas a 2nd chance.... we are now regulars.. If you once werent happy with this place try again its got much better!
(4)Ella M.
I do not know what the hype is about this place. I love Hawaiian bbq and this place was a disappointment. My chicken was either too dry or burned or not cooked through. The sauces were bland and left a lot to be desired. Plus...there were zero veggies. I'm used to at least a side of cabbage or carrots or brocoli and here...nada! I was really looking forward to trying something new when it comes to Hawaiian BBQ....this didn't live up to the expectations.
(2)Leslie S.
Very disappointing. Everything looked and tasted processed and pre-made. I could have made it better myself at home and it would have been fresh! I had teriyaki steak lunch special and steak seemed under-whelming and and saturated in generic teriyaki sauce. Side salad (which I had to pay extra for) was no better than bagged salad you buy at grocery store and mango salsa also tasted like canned pineapple was used. I actually live in Marana and was in Sahuarita for work; first and last visit!
(1)Melissa A.
I eat here probably once or twice a week. The prices just keep going up. Tonight I was going to order online and decided to save a few bucks in delivery and go pick it up. I would have saved by having it delivered. I'm just done. I won't eat here anymore. This restaurant can die a miserable death like the rest of the restaurants in Sahuarita and I hope Chipotle moves in. Go to Pub 22 instead. The food is not even consistently good.
(1)S M.
I ordered delivery tonight and got an email an hour later saying my order was canceled because the delivery driver couldn't find me and couldn't reach my cell. He never even attempted to delivery my food or call me, I have zero missed calls and my location is super easy to find. So now I have nothing to eat all night cause that was supposed to be my dinner at work. In short, their delivery drivers are both incompetent and lazy and will do whatever they can to avoid providing your food if it nears the end of their shift.
(1)Bernie F.
Pretty good shredded pork and macaroni salad! A tad on the expensive side for lunch but I would eat here again.
(4)MaryAnn L.
Being that I am from Hawaii, I will be a bit more critical with this one. I'll start off with what I liked about Mama's... As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by an awesome and friendly staff. Plus, the music takes me back home. I like that they opened one here in Sahuarita, saves the drive to Tucson when I'm craving those kalbi ribs =) Been here a few times before. (I normally do take out though.) A bit pricey, but I gotta satisfy those cravings! Lol. The kalbi ribs are the reason why I come back. Make sure to ask for extra teriyaki sauce to pour over everything! The chicken katsu is good too. Good portions are always given. The overall plate lunch is just ok I guess. The sides that I usually order with my plate are the macaroni salad and rice. I don't know why I order it, but I only always have a few bites of each! Soooo not like the sides from back home. (If you're from Hawaii or have ever had a plate lunch in the islands, you know what I mean. I gotta make my own rice before I eat...lol) I wonder if I could just order a la carte next time? If it wasn't for the Kalbi & the friendly staff, I think I would have rated lower. By the way, they also have some desserts on the menu. I bought a coconut macadamia lemon bar, which was a pretty big piece! It was yummy! =)
(2)Carrie B.
Crazy enough, this could be the best restaurant I have eaten at in Tucson and it is definitely the best in Sahuarita/Green Valley area. It's refreshingly different and well worth taking the family or out-of-towners for dine-in or take-out. It's a marvel how in the middle of the Sonoran Desert a restaurant can be Hawaiian and actually be good. I'm not saying it's like Hawaiian food because I don't know. What I can say is how much joy my family got from watching me tear into my rib plate and actually lose control of them at one point slapping myself along the cheek with the whole strip. As they laughed I said, "I think I got the juice on my shoulder". But truly, the food is outstanding. The 'Big Kahuna' is a good way to try their steak, chicken and pulled pork but, the star of the show was the pulled pork. Just moist enough to go really well with the Smoky BBQ. The french fries are steak fries, the toddler loved them. The hubs got the burger and he said it was great, seemingly very high quality beef. The chicken wings are delish. Crispy and ready for your sauce pick. Know Before You Go: + It may take a little longer than some quick-casual style places to get your food.Don't worry, it's worth it. + While you wait, make sure you've got a full sauce caddy at your table. Hubs loved the Smoky BBQ, I liked the Teriyaki. There are soy sauce and Tangy BBQ, too. + Skip the mac and cheese, it's just Kraft. + Do NOT skip the macaroni salad. It's dynamite. As for dessert: The lemon macadamia squares and pineapple upside-down cake are tops. Don't miss them. The cheesecake brownie is good, it's just not as good as the other two in our opinion!
(5)David G.
Don't expect too much from Mama's -- it's just a small place where you order at a counter from a menu displayed above it. There are about ten choices, including the usual "Hawaiian" staples such as Kahlua pork (really just pulled pork), Chicken Katsu, Kalbi (ribs), etc. This is not much like real Hawaiian food, although the Spam and Loco Moco are island touches. In any case, the food is decent -- maybe a bit better than decent. Even the hamburger (you can have it American style, or Hawaiian style, meaning they add a slice of pineapple) was better than average. Mama's is not cheap but it does give decent value for your money. If in the area, I would recommend you stop by.
(4)James O.
I gave Mama's a three star rating. It's definately above average for the area but just mediocre if all dining experiences are considered. Don't get me wrong, if you're new to the area (or just visiting) and are looking for a great place to eat...go. I've tried most of what's offered here and I highly recomend the Loco Moco. Its a properly seasoned hamburger patty served on white rice. They throw a fried egg on top and cover it all with gravey. I think they might put crack or something in the gravey 'cause its highly addictive.
(3)J. A.
I love this place and can't get enough of it. I'm so glad that they moved into Sahuarita. Food is almost always excellent and the service is amazing. I go at least once a month, if not more often, but I have to admit I always get the same thing. Get the Big Kahuna plate and prepare to share. The serving size is enough for two adults with normal appetites to share. Only disappointing thing is their macaroni salad. It tastes and looks just like mayo spread on some elbow macaroni. I get a double order of rice and their teriyaki sauce makes it all so so so worth it. Plus - their desserts? Gah. The pineapple upside down cake is DIVINE. The topping is melt in your mouth good and the cake is moist and rich without being overwhelmingly sweet.
(5)Cathy S.
We went just last week for the second time, could not stay away. We both had the big kahuna. The meat was so tender perfectly cooked and the macaroni salad is to die for. So glad there is a great lunch/dinner spot out here.
(5)Bash A.
This was my first time eating here and I have to say that the food was very good. I had the loco moco with and overhard egg. My spouse had the big kahuna. My food was very tasty and the gravy was just right. The big kahuna had a very good choice of meats with lots of flavor. The service was good. We were welcomed and the staff from the cook to the management was very friendly. One special note, the staff changed the channel on the tv so my daughter could watch tv. That help is enjoy dinner :) I recommend this establishment.
(4)Jim P.
I haven't been back here in a while but we came in for lunch today and it was still is consistently good as it's always been absolutely wonderful
(5)Mike S.
The Good: Kalua Pork, great Hawaiian music, friendly staff and I loved the Smokey BBQ Sauce. The Bad: Not impressed with the Teriyaki Chicken or the Macadamia Tilapia, just both way too dry and nothing unique about it.
(2)Anthony S.
Happy to say I've eaten at Mama's twice since the last visit. Tried the chicken and pork again, twenty times better. Kalua pork was well balanced in terms of salt and moisture. The Teriyaki chicken was tender and had just the right flavors of sweet and salty. Macaroni salad was spot on with the dressing. Fries were still a little blah, but nothing some excellent chili and Teriyaki sauce can't overcome. I've come to understand, establishments have off days and need to be tried twice. The owner also reached out to me based on my previous review. High respect for a business that will try to make good on their mistakes! Sorry this came a little late, but good job Mama's! You've won me over.
(4)Elizabeth C.
We have eaten lunch at this location twice now. The kahlua pork is my favorite entree. The macaroni salad is delish. The side salad is nicer than you'd expect and I recommend the oriental dressing. Today we hiked over 4 hours in Madeira Canyon so we felt we had earned a piece of pineapple upside down cake. We got it to go and had it for dessert after dinner It was sublime!
(4)Carrie G.
Not what a Hawaiian BBQ place should be at all. I did have their Loco Moco, and that was okay, but there wasn't a side of macaroni salad or cabbage. That is a red flag that it isn't authentic enough. Bah! Not only that, but they didn't even have Hawaiian Sun drinks. What kind of Hawaiian joint doesn't have Hawaiian Sun?! Blasphemy! That's all I have to say. Not cool Mama's, not cool.
(2)Jerry M.
Food is ok, in my opinion a lil bland. I've gone a total of 5 times and have tried multiple items, nothing has really wowed me. In a town were we literally have 5 restaurants I'd like some variety and flavor.
(2)Gary H.
We went to Mama's BBQ a while ago and haven't been back since. I had the beef teriyaki which had allot of gristle that ruined the dish. They seem to not take pride in what they serve.
(2)Eric G.
You can eat healthy if you want to here. They have fish as an entree and veggies as a side, which is not always true with Hawaiian BBQ places where there is no avoiding the Mac salad. Even the teriyaki chicken was made with chicken breast as opposed to thighs.
(3)Jonathan R.
Great break from the Mexican food routine. Kalua pig had no cabbage and was a bit salty but tasted quite good paired with white rice. The Mahi-Mahi was the highlight. Pineapple upside down cake was really good too. Great change of pace while traveling through the SW.
(4)Hector G.
I'm not sure what it is about this place but my family really loves it. The dishes seem fresh and have a great mix to them. This place is clean, the people are friendly and they have an easy to get to location. If you have not been but you have been thinking of going...I would go at least once and give it a shot. I do not think you will be disappointed.
(4)The S.
When I have money and time, I like to treat myself to this place. They have the best Chicken Katsu (moist chicken even though its breaded) and Loco Moco.(Best wear your stretch pants for this one as you will eat the whole plate) Both dishes are always cooked and presented very well. I recommend this place to try something different if your adventurous.
(4)Amy K.
Pulled pork sliders.......................yes. It was the special that day, and I will never regret ordering it. So delicious. This place is kind of a diamond-in-the-rough, I feel like. I'm not familiar with the area, but I just wasn't expecting a Hawaiian BBQ place in this area. Pro note: there's free wifi! :)
(4)C B.
The food is really good. I've eaten there on more than one occasion. Today however, the gentleman working there, Manny, was on the phone almost the entire time and couldn't even be bothered to say hello when my family and I walked in for Father's Day lunch. My sister ordered the same thing for all 3 of us. However, apparently he "didn't hear her" when she said she wanted 3 meals and only put in for one. So by the time we realized the mistake, we only had one meal ready to eat. We didn't want to stay longer to wait for the other 2, so we boxed up the one meal and left. I would not go there again. Especially when that particular person is working.
(2)Cherie T.
I was excited to try this place since I have not had the pleasure of Hawaiian cuisine. I wish I could say it was great. I ordered the plate with teriyaki chicken/beef and Kahlua pork. It came with a side of cold macaroni salad and two scoops of rice. I had seen many reviews about the pork, so I was anxious to try it. The texture of the pork was displeasing. I needed more body for lack of a better term; it was mushy. It didn't have much flavor. I used the BBQ sauce provided at the table and found myself drowning my pork in it. The teriyaki had more flavor, but it wasn't exciting. For a Hawaiian meal, it was not something I would want to order again. Given such good reviews on Foursquare and Yelp, I can't help, but wonder if I just caught them on a bad day? The service was very nice. I am willing to go back and try something else on the menu.
(2)Mauricio C.
We finally tried this place and what a disappointment. Their tilapia dish was tasteless and their oriental chicken salad was simply mediocre. Save your money and head to Fry's deli or Subway down the street
(1)Debby A.
MaMa's is a hit if you like Teriyaki!
(4)John T.
I'm proud to have this establishment in my neighborhood. They offer good food, with good service, at reasonable prices. My family and I regularly get the Big Kahuna since we love the variety. Portion wise, they have pretty large portions, so coupled with the good food, we keep going back. Further, they support our community, a few months back they had at least (1) fundraiser I heard about for a local school, so I made sure to dine with them that particular evening. What more could we ask for from a business in our community?
(4)Jethro B.
Very pleasant and reasonably priced local eatery. Service was cheerful, and the teriyaki was tasty.
(3)Brian I.
Super Duper....!!!!
(4)Jayne E.
I ****HATE**** complaining but I am afraid I have to on this occasion. I have been to Mama's once before and the food was so-so. My mum is over from England and my daughter came over to visit for the day so I decided that it would be nice for us to take my mum to Mama's Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue for a late lunch. Well ..... mum ordered the short ribs and fries and a side salad... myself and my daughter being vegetarian ordered the tofu and brown rice and side salad (I had reviewed the menu online and was happy that tofu was listed). Our side salad came prior to our main meal and Mum was kind of upset that the salad was served on small paper plates and fell off all over the table. When we got our main meal the ribs were not at all what was expected - TONS of fat and bones and hardly any meat (the meat was dry and really not edible, mum only ate a couple of bites)!!! The fries were hot on the outside and looked somewhat appealing but tasted uncooked in the middle (could not eat them either)! OK - onto the tofu - 4 small slices of tofu with a spattering of sauce on them, they were not marinated, had no taste and were barely warm (we covered the tofu in BBQ sauce to add a bit of flavor). The brown rice with the tofu was hard and barely cooked! All in all this was a terrible experience and I will not be returning. The young guy who served us was very pleasant so we had no complaints towards him. The food was awful and I was embarrassed as I had thought this was a cool place to bring my mum visiting me but I was wrong!! I cooked for her when we got back home :(
(1)Vanessa F.
Excellent family meals at great prices. We go to the Sahuarita location. It is always something our family looks forward to when we choose to eat out. We love the chicken teriyaki and the kalua pork with white rice. The staff are always friendly and the service is prompt. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Andrew D.
Bad customer service and below average quality food at too high a price. It is too bad that Sahuarita doesn't have better food options.
(2)Lorrin C.
Tonight's dinner WAS mahi with two mac salad. Nice size piece of fish in a huge to go container so the helping of mac was very generous. I am full and happy. :p. I also got loco moco to go and will have that for breakfast tomorrow. The over easy egg firmed up on the way home and will be more so when I rewarm it tomorrow. Be that as it may, I expect it to still be good, tasty, and filling.
(3)Bernie F.
Pretty good shredded pork and macaroni salad! A tad on the expensive side for lunch but I would eat here again.
(4)The S.
When I have money and time, I like to treat myself to this place. They have the best Chicken Katsu (moist chicken even though its breaded) and Loco Moco.(Best wear your stretch pants for this one as you will eat the whole plate) Both dishes are always cooked and presented very well. I recommend this place to try something different if your adventurous.
(4)MaryAnn L.
Being that I am from Hawaii, I will be a bit more critical with this one. I'll start off with what I liked about Mama's... As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by an awesome and friendly staff. Plus, the music takes me back home. I like that they opened one here in Sahuarita, saves the drive to Tucson when I'm craving those kalbi ribs =) Been here a few times before. (I normally do take out though.) A bit pricey, but I gotta satisfy those cravings! Lol. The kalbi ribs are the reason why I come back. Make sure to ask for extra teriyaki sauce to pour over everything! The chicken katsu is good too. Good portions are always given. The overall plate lunch is just ok I guess. The sides that I usually order with my plate are the macaroni salad and rice. I don't know why I order it, but I only always have a few bites of each! Soooo not like the sides from back home. (If you're from Hawaii or have ever had a plate lunch in the islands, you know what I mean. I gotta make my own rice before I eat...lol) I wonder if I could just order a la carte next time? If it wasn't for the Kalbi & the friendly staff, I think I would have rated lower. By the way, they also have some desserts on the menu. I bought a coconut macadamia lemon bar, which was a pretty big piece! It was yummy! =)
(2)Carrie B.
Crazy enough, this could be the best restaurant I have eaten at in Tucson and it is definitely the best in Sahuarita/Green Valley area. It's refreshingly different and well worth taking the family or out-of-towners for dine-in or take-out. It's a marvel how in the middle of the Sonoran Desert a restaurant can be Hawaiian and actually be good. I'm not saying it's like Hawaiian food because I don't know. What I can say is how much joy my family got from watching me tear into my rib plate and actually lose control of them at one point slapping myself along the cheek with the whole strip. As they laughed I said, "I think I got the juice on my shoulder". But truly, the food is outstanding. The 'Big Kahuna' is a good way to try their steak, chicken and pulled pork but, the star of the show was the pulled pork. Just moist enough to go really well with the Smoky BBQ. The french fries are steak fries, the toddler loved them. The hubs got the burger and he said it was great, seemingly very high quality beef. The chicken wings are delish. Crispy and ready for your sauce pick. Know Before You Go: + It may take a little longer than some quick-casual style places to get your food.Don't worry, it's worth it. + While you wait, make sure you've got a full sauce caddy at your table. Hubs loved the Smoky BBQ, I liked the Teriyaki. There are soy sauce and Tangy BBQ, too. + Skip the mac and cheese, it's just Kraft. + Do NOT skip the macaroni salad. It's dynamite. As for dessert: The lemon macadamia squares and pineapple upside-down cake are tops. Don't miss them. The cheesecake brownie is good, it's just not as good as the other two in our opinion!
(5)Melissa A.
I eat here probably once or twice a week. The prices just keep going up. Tonight I was going to order online and decided to save a few bucks in delivery and go pick it up. I would have saved by having it delivered. I'm just done. I won't eat here anymore. This restaurant can die a miserable death like the rest of the restaurants in Sahuarita and I hope Chipotle moves in. Go to Pub 22 instead. The food is not even consistently good.
(1)Joanne L.
Living in Rancho we dont have many food options & I think this is one of the better choices.. I really like the teriyaki chicken but thats where it ends... I dont like the Kalua pork it was very salty and soggy the guy told me its authentic hawaiian flavored lol but I recently returned from Hawaii where we stayed on Oahu and Kauai and the Kalua pork tasted nothing like the sloppy mess Mama's is serving, the macaroni salad was not good either!!! I would come again but only because the choices are slim!! EDITED AUG 2013 Not sure what happened but Mama's has stepped it up the once medioca macaroni salad is now on point its delicious and we LOVE the Teriyaki Chicken (we always order extra of the sauce and pour it over our chicken, fries rice) I am glad I gave Mamas a 2nd chance.... we are now regulars.. If you once werent happy with this place try again its got much better!
(4)Ella M.
I do not know what the hype is about this place. I love Hawaiian bbq and this place was a disappointment. My chicken was either too dry or burned or not cooked through. The sauces were bland and left a lot to be desired. Plus...there were zero veggies. I'm used to at least a side of cabbage or carrots or brocoli and here...nada! I was really looking forward to trying something new when it comes to Hawaiian BBQ....this didn't live up to the expectations.
(2)Leslie S.
Very disappointing. Everything looked and tasted processed and pre-made. I could have made it better myself at home and it would have been fresh! I had teriyaki steak lunch special and steak seemed under-whelming and and saturated in generic teriyaki sauce. Side salad (which I had to pay extra for) was no better than bagged salad you buy at grocery store and mango salsa also tasted like canned pineapple was used. I actually live in Marana and was in Sahuarita for work; first and last visit!
(1)Bash A.
This was my first time eating here and I have to say that the food was very good. I had the loco moco with and overhard egg. My spouse had the big kahuna. My food was very tasty and the gravy was just right. The big kahuna had a very good choice of meats with lots of flavor. The service was good. We were welcomed and the staff from the cook to the management was very friendly. One special note, the staff changed the channel on the tv so my daughter could watch tv. That help is enjoy dinner :) I recommend this establishment.
(4)Jim P.
I haven't been back here in a while but we came in for lunch today and it was still is consistently good as it's always been absolutely wonderful
(5)Mike S.
The Good: Kalua Pork, great Hawaiian music, friendly staff and I loved the Smokey BBQ Sauce. The Bad: Not impressed with the Teriyaki Chicken or the Macadamia Tilapia, just both way too dry and nothing unique about it.
(2)Anthony S.
Happy to say I've eaten at Mama's twice since the last visit. Tried the chicken and pork again, twenty times better. Kalua pork was well balanced in terms of salt and moisture. The Teriyaki chicken was tender and had just the right flavors of sweet and salty. Macaroni salad was spot on with the dressing. Fries were still a little blah, but nothing some excellent chili and Teriyaki sauce can't overcome. I've come to understand, establishments have off days and need to be tried twice. The owner also reached out to me based on my previous review. High respect for a business that will try to make good on their mistakes! Sorry this came a little late, but good job Mama's! You've won me over.
(4)Elizabeth C.
We have eaten lunch at this location twice now. The kahlua pork is my favorite entree. The macaroni salad is delish. The side salad is nicer than you'd expect and I recommend the oriental dressing. Today we hiked over 4 hours in Madeira Canyon so we felt we had earned a piece of pineapple upside down cake. We got it to go and had it for dessert after dinner It was sublime!
(4)Carrie G.
Not what a Hawaiian BBQ place should be at all. I did have their Loco Moco, and that was okay, but there wasn't a side of macaroni salad or cabbage. That is a red flag that it isn't authentic enough. Bah! Not only that, but they didn't even have Hawaiian Sun drinks. What kind of Hawaiian joint doesn't have Hawaiian Sun?! Blasphemy! That's all I have to say. Not cool Mama's, not cool.
(2)Jerry M.
Food is ok, in my opinion a lil bland. I've gone a total of 5 times and have tried multiple items, nothing has really wowed me. In a town were we literally have 5 restaurants I'd like some variety and flavor.
(2)Gary H.
We went to Mama's BBQ a while ago and haven't been back since. I had the beef teriyaki which had allot of gristle that ruined the dish. They seem to not take pride in what they serve.
(2)Eric G.
You can eat healthy if you want to here. They have fish as an entree and veggies as a side, which is not always true with Hawaiian BBQ places where there is no avoiding the Mac salad. Even the teriyaki chicken was made with chicken breast as opposed to thighs.
(3)Jonathan R.
Great break from the Mexican food routine. Kalua pig had no cabbage and was a bit salty but tasted quite good paired with white rice. The Mahi-Mahi was the highlight. Pineapple upside down cake was really good too. Great change of pace while traveling through the SW.
(4)Hector G.
I'm not sure what it is about this place but my family really loves it. The dishes seem fresh and have a great mix to them. This place is clean, the people are friendly and they have an easy to get to location. If you have not been but you have been thinking of going...I would go at least once and give it a shot. I do not think you will be disappointed.
(4)Amy K.
Pulled pork sliders.......................yes. It was the special that day, and I will never regret ordering it. So delicious. This place is kind of a diamond-in-the-rough, I feel like. I'm not familiar with the area, but I just wasn't expecting a Hawaiian BBQ place in this area. Pro note: there's free wifi! :)
(4)C B.
The food is really good. I've eaten there on more than one occasion. Today however, the gentleman working there, Manny, was on the phone almost the entire time and couldn't even be bothered to say hello when my family and I walked in for Father's Day lunch. My sister ordered the same thing for all 3 of us. However, apparently he "didn't hear her" when she said she wanted 3 meals and only put in for one. So by the time we realized the mistake, we only had one meal ready to eat. We didn't want to stay longer to wait for the other 2, so we boxed up the one meal and left. I would not go there again. Especially when that particular person is working.
(2)Cherie T.
I was excited to try this place since I have not had the pleasure of Hawaiian cuisine. I wish I could say it was great. I ordered the plate with teriyaki chicken/beef and Kahlua pork. It came with a side of cold macaroni salad and two scoops of rice. I had seen many reviews about the pork, so I was anxious to try it. The texture of the pork was displeasing. I needed more body for lack of a better term; it was mushy. It didn't have much flavor. I used the BBQ sauce provided at the table and found myself drowning my pork in it. The teriyaki had more flavor, but it wasn't exciting. For a Hawaiian meal, it was not something I would want to order again. Given such good reviews on Foursquare and Yelp, I can't help, but wonder if I just caught them on a bad day? The service was very nice. I am willing to go back and try something else on the menu.
(2)Mauricio C.
We finally tried this place and what a disappointment. Their tilapia dish was tasteless and their oriental chicken salad was simply mediocre. Save your money and head to Fry's deli or Subway down the street
(1)Debby A.
MaMa's is a hit if you like Teriyaki!
(4)John T.
I'm proud to have this establishment in my neighborhood. They offer good food, with good service, at reasonable prices. My family and I regularly get the Big Kahuna since we love the variety. Portion wise, they have pretty large portions, so coupled with the good food, we keep going back. Further, they support our community, a few months back they had at least (1) fundraiser I heard about for a local school, so I made sure to dine with them that particular evening. What more could we ask for from a business in our community?
(4)Jethro B.
Very pleasant and reasonably priced local eatery. Service was cheerful, and the teriyaki was tasty.
(3)Brian I.
Super Duper....!!!!
(4)David G.
Don't expect too much from Mama's -- it's just a small place where you order at a counter from a menu displayed above it. There are about ten choices, including the usual "Hawaiian" staples such as Kahlua pork (really just pulled pork), Chicken Katsu, Kalbi (ribs), etc. This is not much like real Hawaiian food, although the Spam and Loco Moco are island touches. In any case, the food is decent -- maybe a bit better than decent. Even the hamburger (you can have it American style, or Hawaiian style, meaning they add a slice of pineapple) was better than average. Mama's is not cheap but it does give decent value for your money. If in the area, I would recommend you stop by.
(4)James O.
I gave Mama's a three star rating. It's definately above average for the area but just mediocre if all dining experiences are considered. Don't get me wrong, if you're new to the area (or just visiting) and are looking for a great place to eat...go. I've tried most of what's offered here and I highly recomend the Loco Moco. Its a properly seasoned hamburger patty served on white rice. They throw a fried egg on top and cover it all with gravey. I think they might put crack or something in the gravey 'cause its highly addictive.
(3)J. A.
I love this place and can't get enough of it. I'm so glad that they moved into Sahuarita. Food is almost always excellent and the service is amazing. I go at least once a month, if not more often, but I have to admit I always get the same thing. Get the Big Kahuna plate and prepare to share. The serving size is enough for two adults with normal appetites to share. Only disappointing thing is their macaroni salad. It tastes and looks just like mayo spread on some elbow macaroni. I get a double order of rice and their teriyaki sauce makes it all so so so worth it. Plus - their desserts? Gah. The pineapple upside down cake is DIVINE. The topping is melt in your mouth good and the cake is moist and rich without being overwhelmingly sweet.
(5)Cathy S.
We went just last week for the second time, could not stay away. We both had the big kahuna. The meat was so tender perfectly cooked and the macaroni salad is to die for. So glad there is a great lunch/dinner spot out here.
(5)S M.
I ordered delivery tonight and got an email an hour later saying my order was canceled because the delivery driver couldn't find me and couldn't reach my cell. He never even attempted to delivery my food or call me, I have zero missed calls and my location is super easy to find. So now I have nothing to eat all night cause that was supposed to be my dinner at work. In short, their delivery drivers are both incompetent and lazy and will do whatever they can to avoid providing your food if it nears the end of their shift.
(1)Amy M.
Purchased dinner here for my family tonight. We are consistent in what we get. Teriyaki Beef, Chicken Katsu, my husband gets the sausage with eggs when available. Food is great. Everyone is always friendly and the music is so relaxing. We got our order to go tonight and they forgot to put or brownies in the bag. :( we were looking forward to those too as they looked delicious
(4)Erika J.
Very tasty food. Opened and colorful space makes it great for children. The Portuguese sausage tastes great. I recommend and will definitely be back to try other dishes.
(3)Anthony M.
Food portion was small for a $20 meal. the teriyaki chicken was bland and not what I expected. I also ordered a Lemon Lipton tea and they gave me the wrong tea. It may not be that big of a deal but for paying all this money you'd think you'd get more for your money. Needs some more improvement. The delivery woman also was kind of rude and handed me the food and walked away very fast before even saying anything even though I tipped via credit card.
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