Mamma Zu

Oregon Hill has changed a bit since Ed Vasaio opened this restaurant to honor his mother in 1992. Emerging art galleries and music studios are giving the old working-stiff neighborhood a new flavor, but the taste at Mamma Zu has never wavered. Crowds flock here for the warm-hearted goodness of lentil soup, paste e fagioli and oxtail stew. Antipasti such as fried sardines, heaping pasta...

Posted on June 23, 2007. Brought to you by gayot.

Don't discount authentic Italian in a distressed dive--one dinner is all it takes to delight.

The Scene
Those in the know line up around the building at 5pm. Once inside, the scuffed floors, chipped china and rickety tables don't deter diners. Real food lovers recognize each other...

Posted by by Contributor at Citysearch on July 17, 2006. Brought to you by Citysearch.

Average Rating

60

Don't understand why there is no menu provided to the customer, except on the wall. It's so inconvenient to walk up to the middle of the restaurant to look at the wall. Don't understand why...

Posted by Chii T. on February 21, 2016. Brought to you by yahoolocal.

Average Rating

100

The best Italian you'll find south of Philly. Service is much maligned, and wrongly so. It's busy so they're not going to make you feel special just for walking in the door - you want that, go...

Posted by Cibum I. on January 30, 2016. Brought to you by yahoolocal.

Average Rating

100

Though we have a number of Richmond area "top favorites" depending on our particular foodie desires on a given day, none surpass Mamma Zu. I've lost count of how many times we've been here over...

Posted by Mike M. on January 14, 2016. Brought to you by yahoolocal.

Average Rating

100

I've lived in Richmond for 8 years and 8 month at the time of this review. You'd think in all those years I would have tried Mamma Zu by now. Well, the day finally came when the Yelp International...

Posted by Tony A. on August 31, 2015. Brought to you by yahoolocal.

Average Rating

100

This restaurant with its cult like following is easy to understand. Try the white bean salad appetizer or the sweetbreads and you will be hooked

Posted by Vanessa M on May 22, 2015. Brought to you by gogobot.

Italian: This unpretentious eatery is universally considered one of Richmond's best Italian restaurants. Legendary among Richmond natives for its long waits, chalkboard menu and no-frills service. Do not let the establishment's lack of elegance deter you; EVERYONE agrees the food is stellar! House specialties include the eggplant parmesan, calamari and tiramisu.

Posted on December 05, 2014. Brought to you by 10best.

Mamma Zu may not be Richmond's typical Italian eatery - for one, the interior is not exactly fancy, but its hard to miss the intimacy and coziness that the restaurant offers. Appearance aside, the food is phenomenal. The menu includes such specialties as fried oysters and clams, lasagna, spaghetti and lamb meatballs and the mozzarella salad. The portions are big, and the staff treats you like...

Posted on June 07, 2014. Brought to you by cityseekr.

Mamma Zu's is a Italian and Californian restaurant where most Menuism users came for a meal on the go, paid more than $50, and tipped more than 18%.

Posted on May 17, 2013. Brought to you by menuism.

This restaurant serves an Italian cuisine. Expect the average entrée to cost $8 to $12.

Eating & Drinking: Open for lunch and dinner.

Details to Note: Reservations are not accepted. Carryout is available. Parking has been arranged for customers.

Ways to Pay: Cash and American Express

Posted on March 27, 2013. Brought to you by dinesite.

This unpretentious eatery is universally considered one of Richmond's best Italian restaurants. Legendary among Richmond natives for its long waits, chalkboard menu and no-frills service. Do not let the establishment's lack of elegance deter you; EVERYONE agrees the food is stellar! House specialties include the eggplant parmesan, calamari and tiramisu.

Posted on January 13, 2010. Brought to you by 10best.