Mama's Food Shop - East Village

Unlike souls, this food is very tangible. Soul food isn't really something that is readily associated with NYC, but Mama's Food Shop does a good job of pushing it forward a bit. When I think soul food, I think large portions, wholesome flavors, cheap prices and fried chicken. Fortunately, those are all things I enjoy.


I had heard and read a lot about Mama's before going there so the trip was hyped up for me and I was envisioning heaps of chicken and mac'n cheese. When I got there it was a quiet afternoon and I was one of maybe 3 people there. I ordered fried chicken, cucumber and beat salad and broccoli. As you can see the bed of vegetables on my plate is mountainous. The piece of fried chicken were rolling off the peak of the vegetable mountain--that's a lot of food. I took this as a challenge, a challenge of ecstasy, and ate every last bit.

Content and full--a rare thing for me when I go out to eat--I was impressed by Mama's and vowed to return to try a less healthy meal. What's next? Fried chicken, mac'n cheese and mashed potatoes. That would be enough calories to sate a normal human for 2 days.

The chicken was great, meaty pieces with crisp batter that didn't feel overly greasy or dry. The veggies were fresh and crisp with a very satisfying snap to them. If your food isn't at your desired temperature there is even a microwave in the dining area for you to heat it up to your liking. Some people may not like the do-it-yourself/homestyle traits like the microwave or that you clear off your own plate when your finished--but I like it, it's much more Dine or Death style to make your patrons not be douchebags.

So for $12 you get a choice of one meat ranging from fried chicken to salmon and 2 sides with choices of a variety of vegetables, potatoes, mac n' cheese and many many others. That $12 meal is huge though, a lot of people get 2 meals out of it and bring their own tupperware for their leftover so it's really a great deal.

200 East 3rd St., New York, NY 10009, 212 777 4425, www.mamasfoodshop.com