Mama Della's Ristorante Review

 Mama Della’s Ristorante Review

Trying to find good restaurants on Universal property has always been a challenge. I have eaten at several of their restaurants in the theme parks and even at their “best” one, Mythos. None have been super exciting. When I was younger, I would eat at Thunder Falls with my family as a trip staple. It was a good quick service for several years; the chicken and ribs were very good. Of course, these were taken off the menu at a time, has since came back. We also went to Sal’s at Portofino that had subs and pizza. Their pizza was always delicious. Recently, the quality has gotten worse. The portions have also gotten smaller. Every restaurant that is a good value and decent quality goes through a rough period of time.

Due to our relationship starting at Universal and with us both working there for a period of time, and having employee discounts, we tried to eat at almost all of the restaurants there. Most were the same, too expensive for not a very good meal. The worst of these offenders was Jake’s American Bar at Royal Pacific. One of the worst meals I have had on Universal property.

We finally found the best one. Mama Della’s Ristorante at the Portofino. It was great all around. The service was incredible, the bread service was complementary and incredible, the pasta was incredible. There was also a singer on the balcony, our first meal outside. Just an amazing experience all around.

We continued to go back several times after that. At least five more times in a two-year period which is crazy for me. If my parents were in town, if we were having a staycation, any time we needed food and we were close we would go to Mama Della’s. We ate inside, and outside and singers would be walking around inside the restaurant and the theming was amazing. The service was just incredible too. The food started taking some steps back. It was still good but the food was just incredible the first time we went.

We went back last week, and things changed. I think it was the combination of an off night and some cost saving measures. The complimentary bread service was no longer. It was now on the menu for $8. The filet mignon was removed from the menu.

Our meal also took about two hours to complete, and we are fast eaters. There was a lot of time where we were just sitting there waiting on food. Our water glasses were empty, and the server asked us if we needed more water. While it was empty, while we were still waiting for our food. About ten minutes after our food arrived, we were almost finished with our meal. And our server came back with cheese. It was a very bizarre dining experience.

I went to Boston a month ago where we went to an Italian district and ate at a restaurant there. Absolutely incredible so maybe the meal suffered in comparison.

I got the chicken parm at both restaurants and the quality was not even close. The Mama Della’s chicken parm had a taste similar to the microwaveable chicken parms. The difference was not only in taste but also price and serving size. That little restaurant in the Italian district was five dollars cheaper and was huge.

It is hard to get older and have an amazing thing come into your life, just to have it ripped away just as quickly due to cost savings. I was a good customer. I came back. I told my friends and family. I brought friends and family. I loved the product. It was the best restaurant on Universal property by far.

With a Carabbas being right across the street, cheaper price, free bread, and similar to better quality I would much rather spend money there. Universal property still doesn’t have a restaurant that can compete with competitors. I have loved what Universal has done with their parks as of late. They have added in some incredible attractions, incredible merchandise locations, there has been a lot of positive without even mentioning Epic Universe.

One thing they can’t seem to get together is their food. Which is a shame. Disney hasn’t had the best few years but there are several restaurants that I will go to and have a good, sometimes unique meal. Mama Della’s has sadly followed the Grand Floridian Café business model. Save costs. Don’t give straws unless the diners ask for them. Remove the lobster burger. Remove all delicious items from the menu just to save a few bucks. I used to love these places, but I am going to stop going when they do this. I am not going to swoop on any chance to go back to Mama Della’s. I am going to be back in the search of a decent meal on Universal property.