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  4. San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
  5. San Luis Obispo

Mama's Meatball

4.3
4.3
934 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
There are many Italian Restaurants in San Luis Obispo, but if you're looking for a truly authentic Italian dining experience, then you should consider Mama's Meatball Restaurant. Rated among the best San Luis Obispo restaurants, Mama's Meatball uses the freshest, quality ingredients grown locally to create some of the most outstanding dishes you could find in San Luis Obispo eateries. For your convenience, Mama's Meatball offers dine-in, takeout and delivery service. Mama's Meatball is one of the few restaurants near Mission San Luis Obispo, and a block away from hotels in downtown San Luis Obispo to offer private dining options and banquet accommodations for corporate parties and family celebrations. Click here to request a quote for your next private event. Check Out Charity Water! https://www.charitywater.org/mamas-meatball

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 15 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Other options

  • Order online

Additional information

  • Neighborhood

    San Luis Obispo

  • Cross street

    Nipomo St.

  • Parking details

    Private Lot

  • Additional

    Banquet, Beer, Beer Garden, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 934 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles

    Good for groups

  • San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles

    Neighborhood gem

  • San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles

    Romantic

  • San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles

    Most Booked

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Filters

  1. SteveB

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic food, great service. Our favorite SLO restaurant.
  2. ShannaR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Staff was very accommodating to my large party especially with the bad weather.
  3. DavidB

    Los Angeles

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time at Mama’s and definitely would come again. Service and food were excellent. One and only negative is finding parking on a Saturday night.
  4. PeterW

    Kent

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 23, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience3
    Was really looking forward to this , very disappointing, I’d eaten my starter before my wife got hers, my calzone wasn’t hot and too much mozzarella inside , my wife had grilled salmon but couldn’t eat it as it was swimming in lemon juice
  5. brendaf

    Los Angeles

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We always have a wonderful meal at Mama’s. The food and service are great.
  6. Food4fun

    Orange County

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    So glad I made reservations in advance as there was a long wait line for others. I recommend allowing enough time to find parking as the designated lots were full and we had to find metered parking on the street which took another 10 minutes. The food was delicious and my daughter said her dish was comparable to some of the restaurants in Italy. I had the lobster ravioli in vodka sauce special ($25) which was tasty.
  7. charlie

    Los Angeles

    50 reviews

    2.0

    50 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall2food2service5ambience3
    I used to be a regular and have not been recently. Was not impressed as meals lacked flavor. Just not the same quality
  8. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Returning kid to school
  9. MariaC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food every time and the customer service is great, will always recommend
  10. SLOlife

    Central Coast

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on January 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a fantastic dinner from start to finish. An exceptional number of vegetarian options and wonderful service!
  11. Nick

    Orange County

    24 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    I did enjoy the food but I think the quality is not equal to its pricing. We live in Orange County and have better quality for less than a $95 Ribeye. Really good but I’ve had better. Service was excellent.
  12. GailG

    Central Coast

    100 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    100 reviews

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and exquisite service from Jeremiah
  13. Emily

    San Francisco

    15 reviews

    4.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Very nice dinner. A bit too noisy. Delicious food. Good Service.
  14. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Food and service was very good. Noise level was just right.
  15. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 28, 2022

    overall2food2service4ambience2
    Pasta was overcooked. Too much sauce. Noisy, and the wines were not expected for such a nice, wine-driven area. Will not return. Seemed like a “bread-stick” quality of restaurant
  16. BarbaraJ

    Central Coast

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Incredible food and very gracious hosts on a very busy night. Appreciate the visit from owner/chef so personal!! Love the true Italian!!!
  17. KaraW

    Central Coast

    2 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall3food5service4ambience1
    Mamas Meatball is one of our favorite restaurants, and we have been here many times. But tonight was crazy. We had reservations but were not seated until about an hour later. It was super packed and they clearly had offered too many reservations. And the noise level was so high that we had to yell, and even then we could barely hear each other. On top of a very crowded house, they had the music blaring – super intense. On the plus side, the food was excellent, as ever, and the staff was doing their best to manage a hectic situation. We will go back again, but stay away during busy hours especially around the holidays.
  18. KellyeC

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic all around Can’t wait to come back, the food is always to die for!
  19. virginias

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 18, 2022

    overall3food3service5ambience3
    Marinara a bit too acidic for my taste and smothered the flavor of the vegetables in recipe. Bread delivered as little donut holes which are much more fattening and less authentically Italian. Wine by glass was good. Waiter excellent. Reservation handled perfectly.
  20. kent

    Central Coast

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on December 17, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Family owned, all family foods, good flavors and fair prices.
  21. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Exciting end to a scrumptious meal - a rare thunderstorm knocked the power out. We finished our wine by candlelight and we paid by cash to help the staff!
  22. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 10, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Really long wait even with a reservation, eventually service and food was good!
  23. Roberto

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 5, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Haven’t been to Mama’s in awhile. Always a pleasant experience. Our waiter, Marco was very friendly and professional. Garlic rolls, which are usually binge-worthy, were a bit dried out. Generous wine pours. Salads well-done. Soups a bit bland. Pizza and calzone were delicious. We will be back.
  24. TraceyS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I felt as if I was in Italy again. Great food and atmosphere.
  25. SamanthaG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service, food was amazing, cute place to eat!
  26. PattiZ

    Los Angeles

    40 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always enjoyable! Another great experience! Thanks!
  27. tourandtravel

    Los Angeles

    7 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 25, 2022

    overall2food1service3ambience3
    Fixed menu on Thanksgiving was poor quality for the price. They ran out of dessert and brought our bread after we had started dinner. A two course meal for a side salad and vegetarian pastas was $65 which would have been acceptable if the food was better. I will try this place again, just not on a night with a fixed menu.
  28. TedK

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Too exoensive for thanksgiving ravioliu for sixtyfive bucks??
  29. SuzanB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best meal we had all week. An amazing, friendly, welcoming atmosphere and the food was just the best!!!!
  30. LovesGoodFood

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Another fabulous Thanksgiving dinner at Mama's! Never disappointed!
  31. SilCad

    Central Coast

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    They were extremely busy, but still took care of our needs. Our waiter was personable and attentive, in spite of the packed scene. And, as usual, the food was excellent.
  32. UpperWestFan

    Los Angeles

    4 reviews

    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    We had a long-standing reservation and, following our waiting a long time at the greeting station for somebody to welcome us, we learned they did not have table cleaned for us. We could see one available right in front of us. Ten minutes later, they had it wiped down and ready. They sat us down, with menus, but nobody came to the table. We waited, waited, waited…nobody. No water, no drink orders, nothing. I asked a server for help. She seemed to hear me but walked away. I finally stopped her, five minutes later, and asked whether she knew who might be in in charge of our table. She said she would find out. Nobody ever came and we eventually, to the disappointment of our honored guest, decided to leave after over a half hour of waiting. It was like we were invisible. Unbelievable. They seemed overwhelmed and understaffed. Giuseppe’s and Buona Tavola would never allow this to happen. They are packed every night, and they treat you with care. This was the worst restaurant experience I’ve had in SLO. And when we walked out, nobody noticed. There was nobody near the door, as was the case when we arrived.
  33. HilaryW

    Denver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The food is phenomenal and the people are nice!
  34. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our service has been consistently spectacular, and it’s likely because we’ve been taken care of by the same gentleman each time. I wish I knew his name, but he never fails to exceed expectations with a smile- even when dinner takes a little longer than usual. We love coming here. We love the food, the atmosphere & charm, and service. Easily a top 5 in SLO & absolutely #1 for Italian.
  35. OpenTable Diner

    Alabama

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great spot for some homemade Italian family dinner for my Wofe’s birthday. Food and wine were great!
  36. dragonfly

    Seattle

    24 reviews

    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Meals are always delicious and always include seasonal selections. The staff is friendly and efficient but they do not rush customers.
  37. BT22

    Denver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The BEST gluten free pasta dish I have ever had! The staff is warm and wonderful. Excellent dining experience!
  38. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 19, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Went for our anniversary, had a very nice time. Food was great, wholesome Italian fare, my comfort food. We were too full for desert, but the options looked great as well.
  39. BirthdayGirl

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 19, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Dinner was very good. The Tirimasu was delicious. Wine per glass was a little pricey for the amount poured. Atmosphere was very nice. Our server, Damien, was absolutely awesome. He was efficient, very down to earth, friendly and personable. We will be back.
  40. ConnieT

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A wonderful home-town atmosphere with excellent food and service.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Mama's Meatball using the Order Online button. Mama's Meatball also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (805) 544-0861.

Mama's Meatball is rated 4.3 stars by 934 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 15 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Other options

  • Order online
Google Map for Mama's Meatball

570 Higuera St Ste 130, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Nipomo St.

  • Neighborhood

    San Luis Obispo

  • Hours of operation

    Tue–Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Italian

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Private Lot

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Nicola Allegretta

  • Additional

    Banquet, Beer, Beer Garden, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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