By Scott Etkin
Mama’s Pizza has closed after more than two decades at 941 Amsterdam Avenue (the northeast corner of West 106th Street). But it is looking to move to a new location nearby.
The business decided not to renew its lease in part because of renovations needed at the retail space, Frank Tuttolomondo, the owner, told the Rag on a call. “A major, major overhaul [is] needed to be done there,” he said.
Tuttolomondo could not share details about the new location or when it might be ready to open. In the meantime, he said he would retain the staff at other locations.
The Tuttolomondo family has a 60-year history of operating pizza places on the Upper West Side. Mama’s used to be on Broadway between 104th and 105th streets — the current site of Plowshares Coffee.
A common misconception is that Tuttolomondo’s parents ran Mama’s, but it was actually run by his grandmother and uncles. “My parents weren’t involved,” Tuttolomondo explained. “My mom was there when she was a kid, and my father wasn’t on that side of the family pizza business, so I took over from my grandmother and my uncles.”
Tuttolomondo learned the fundamentals of the pizza business from his family. But he didn’t find success when he first tried selling thick, square slices at Mama’s. “I couldn’t give them away,” he recently told The New York Times.
Ironically, thick, square slices are now his trademark. Mama’s Too, the pizza place he opened on Broadway between West 105th and 106th streets in 2017, has become among the most notable in New York for serving this style of pizza. Last week, The New York Times named it one of the top 22 pizza places in the city.
Tuttolomondo expanded Mama’s Too, taking over the space next door, earlier this year. There’s also a second Mama’s Too location in the West Village.
“Mama’s Too wouldn’t exist without Mama’s Pizza,” he said.
The Rag will provide an update when there’s more information on the reopening of Mama’s.
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Mama’s pizza deserves a better location, their pizza is the best in my opinion but I also love Mama’s too. My family has been coming there for decades, one of my first memories is being in the broadway location, asking about the italian soccer team plaques on the wall. I know Frank’s uncle & Grandmother were the main ones that ran Mama’s pizza. Shout out to Moses, he’s also worked with them a long time. I hope everything works out for them!
Totally agree. Very solid slice.
Mama’s and Mama’s Too literally inhabit different pizza universes. Mama’s is a slice joint that needs a food quality overhaul. Mama’s Too has a global reputation. Not sure they need to be at same level, but would love to see Frank’s elite touch applied to Mama’s basic fare.
“Global reputation” LOOOOOLLLLLLLLLL
Sorry but the pizza was horrible. I’m Italian and my Mom (God rest her soul) made the best homemade pizza from scratch when I was growing up in The Bronx.
I was only about 7 when I started going to Mama’s on 104 broadway than back than moved to 105th broadway. they use to have the oven in the back of the pizza shop. been going to mama’s for 60 years. please open up again….
Hope they open on Broadway further north.
I remember Mama’s pizza on Broadway at W. 104-105 St. when pizza was 25 cents a slice and the little old lady that was always there. Sweet memory.
Mama’s on Broadway was better than Mama’s Too on Broadway, if you’ve been a local long enough to remember. Most of y’all wouldn’t come uptown that far back then.
Ooof, Mama Too all the way. Mama one was completely generic nyc pizza.
I love their pizza. They’re going to be missed if they don’t reopen
I think the owner is a better cook than he is a businessman. Mama’s Pizza on W. 106th and Amsterdam is closed with no sign in the window directing customers to their other pizza joint.
Mama’s too opened up a new area but put in no seats. I’m sorry I just don’t want to stand and eat a piece of pizza
I go to 112 and Broadway where there are plenty of outdoor seats and indoor. Life is meant to be enjoyed. Standing and eating pizza it’s just not enjoyment