| rev:text
| - When I say, "bring your appetite" what I really mean is bring the appetite of 4-5 people if you come here.
Oh yes, you get that much food. I'm not even sure who could possibly eat 3lbs of pasta in one sitting, but these portions will feed you for days (or a small army.)
This little, hidden gem in Mentor is not a restaurant you'd think was anything special from the looks of the outside. Located in a strip mall, you walk in and this small, family owned restaurant is always (and I mean always) packed. People come for the homemade, family-style, delicious food and, of course, the portions. On a typical night, you'll see just as many people grabbing take out and you will packed into the dinning room.
The kitchen is open and you can see the owners and their children running around, helping their guests. Their walls are covered in caricature drawings of them and at least 20 different "best of" awards for their food. The ambiance itself is very casual, and very "mom 'n pop". You know, plastic menus, cheesy Italian decor, etc.
Back to the food! This is NOT your gourmet, expensive Italian restaurant. My guess is you'd be better off going somewhere in Little Italy if that's what you're seeking. What Mama Roberto's offers is that handmade, home style Italian food that you'd expect someone's Grandma to make. The side salads are nothing to write home about (read: iceburg mix, tons of cheese, store bought dressing), but everything else is awesome. They're known for their garlic knots, and let me tell you, they're addictive. My favorite is the homemade sauce and their meatballs. The marinara is a little sweeter and chunkier than I normally like, but there's just something about it that makes is divine. The meatballs are made fresh, as well, with tons of parmesan cheese. *Drool* I'd also give their wedding soup a try, just know that you'll most likely need the extra room in your stomach to eat the rest of the feast coming your way.
One pet peeve I have with Mama's is their inability to properly turn tables on busy nights. They get swamped with people and let the tables linger for hours, instead of politely giving them subtle hints to scram. I was so hungry that I seriously considered asking a table to leave, lol. And they don't take reservations. (sadface)
Either way, if you're looking for home-cooked, casual, Italian eats without the high price-tag, this is the place. Just make sure you fast for 4 days ahead of time... or just clear a huge space in your fridge for your leftovers.
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