driving around downtown today I saw that a new restaurant was being put in next to the gas station at reno & classen. Pulled up to check it out today and saw that Mama E's had opened a new location. Went in and had an AMAZING lunch. We opted for the Chicken & waffles, but everything looked delicious! All the staff was very friendly and helpful. Can't wait to go back!

Is that the location by the City Rescue where there's been a handfull of restaurants the last few years (most recently I think was a burrito place)?

Nice. Is this a move, or an expansion?

That location has seen a couple of local favorites come and go - curious to see whether Mama E's can overcome the "community" outside. How much business were they doing while you were there?

It is an expansion, since their current location is so small and business is so good. I spoke with the owner just last week. She told me that four years ago her and her husband started a wing and waffle stand. They rented their first location at an old cigarette stand near NE 36th and Kelley. They had a grand total of $50.00 in their pockets when they started. A short time later they moved to their current location. She indicated when her restaurant was aired on The Cooking Channel is when it really took off. We walked in as they were opening the doors. There was about eight or nine people, including us that came while we were dining.

We eat there about once a month. Really good home style food. I hope it works for them. I kinda have my doubts but I guess they are used to being in bad parts of town. I was actually shocked their tv appearance did get them more business. I've never been there and it be full.

Weird choice of location, I'll have to check it out though since I live downtown.

had it again today! this time, decided to venture out of my comfort zone and try the neckbone.. Wow! very flavorful & rich! the stuffing & gravy was good, as was the gumbo! and the whole staff was very friendly and helpful!

http://a.imageshack.us/img101/3293/mamae.jpg

went to the new Mama E's two days ago with friends for lunch. I still think they stand the best chance of making it in that location and are very quick to get the homeless away from the business and customers. That said, I wasn't overly impressed with the food. Just didn't seem as good as their original location and not nearly as good as Family Affair.

Two people in our group had the 2 meat and 3 sides meal, another had waffles and wings and I had the burgerdog.

The real downer is that lunch is going to cost you $9-$12. At that price range you have lots of options of much better establishments. Neither of the 2 who got the meat dinner were impressed. The pork chops were really bad but the catfish was okay. My burgerdog was good but a little pricey and the fries were literally dripping with grease. The waffles and wings were definitely the best and I'm getting that on my next visit. However, their $10.95 price tag is a joke.

The pros:
1. Better centralized location.
2. Unique food choices.

The Cons:
1. Pricey ($9-$12 for lunch)
2. Many menu items really just are not that good tasting or overly greasy.
3. Took 20 minutes to get my burgerdog and the waffles and wings (our friends were almost done)
4. No soft drinks (tea, water, Koolaid). They have a soft drink dispenser but it is apparently only there for the ice feature.

I'd probably go to the Lunch Box over Mama E's unless someone in my group insisted otherwise.