Based on the older reviews of this place, it seems that Mama Brown has evolved into a different restaurant since the pandemic. What was once a place known for fish tacos is now more of a tribute to American Diner foods like hamburgers, fries, shakes, chicken and waffles. Overall, I really like this place. It's a great hangout spot for groups to bond over nice smashburgers, fries, waffles and fried chicken. Pros: great selection of burgers, fried chicken and a variety of waffles both savory and sweet in options. Con: if I had anything to complain about, it would be the odd liquid nature of the shakes. As an American, I'm used to shakes that are served thick enough at least initially to be eaten with a spoon. With shakes like Snickers bars mixed in, you expect a thicker more frozen shake to evenly disperse the candy bits. The shakes here are more molten ice cream milk in viscosity which is problematic causing the candy bits to all congregate at the bottom. I'm still giving this a 4 out of 5 because I do recommend this place. If they ever redo the shakes to be thicker and more frozen in nature, it would elevate the Americana experience in Wellington even moreso. read more

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I loved this American-style diner, which serves great milkshakes, Reuben sandwiches, burgers, and other American delights. The vibe is very 1950s retro, but it is well done and not catchy. If I had had more time in Wellington, I would have gone a second time. Strong thumbs up. read more

Love the food here and make sure to visit every time I'm in Wellington. Shame they don't have an Auckland branch. Great food and the milkshakes are a meal in themselves, worth going just for those. read more

In a town as small as Wellington competition can be tough. We had a Baja fish taco. Pulled pork slider and breakfast taco with potato hash browns. In short the food was very bland (unfortunately). My fish taco said it had jalapeño sauce but lacked any form of spice or taste (yes, all we could taste was the pineapple in the pulled pork taco). If you are a fan of southern food and like american taco style cuisine you will understand that the soft tortilla makes the taco. Home made is the only way to go as shop bought tortillas have a dry taste (oh and the Baja fish was dry). In short this place has a long way to go to compete with sweet Mothers Kitchen, mostly in the food and atmosphere. They have airline chairs though! read more

Mama Brown - Main room at Mama Brown - American Near Me - Wellington, WGN

The food is interesting and used to be really good but along the way they've adjusted their recipes or something. Their fish tacos used to be the best in town but are just ok now. Really casual atmosphere and the owner is always about and friendly. If you love gumbo, fried chicken, tacos then check them out. read more

Mama Brown - Small gumbo and side of fries. - American Near Me - Wellington, WGN

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Had dinner here last night. It was their closing time but we were still invited in to order. Made feel very welcome and owner checked in with us a number of times to make sure we were ok. We ordered more then we needed just to try a number of things. The steak and the gumbo were our favourite dishes. You will be spoil for milkshake flavour choices. Next time we are going back for brunch to try the day menu. read more

Mama Brown - A selection from the menu - American Near Me - Wellington, WGN

Chicken and waffles, & Cajun chips were pretty amazing. My friend would like to note that he ate all his chips gracefully and did not drop one. read more

Mama Brown - American Near Me - Wellington, WGN

Mama Brown was amazing! The service from workers was amazing, they were all so nice Food was affordable, cheap and very delicious. Student deals were great and we all enjoyed a fabulous lunch. 10/10 would recommend for basic American style burgers and very yummy milkshakes read more

Food is not good at all. Everytime I've been the food is stale and the staff are pretty rude too. If you're gonna go definitely get the nachos however note, they're quite bland. Dissapointing for a place that has so much potential. read more

Set out for Mama Brown with high hopes. They were quickly dashed on arrival as we were rushed to a rather small table In an over crowded room to then discover there was no kids menu. Food was overpriced and slow to arrive. My wife's cutlery was dirty. Not a great experience. One thing I was expecting to enjoy was the milkshake. Another let down. Flavoured milk would have been a more accurate name for what we received. After reading such good things we left feeling very disappointed. We will not be returning. read more

Awesome food and drinks. They serve quickly amd friendly under pressure! I had the haloumi burger. It was tasty and worth it. We had 1 serve of fries and they were cooked perfectly. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. We also had brilliant coffee. We also had a basic burger and that was brilliant. read more

A new place in Wellington serving U.S. style cafe food. As somebody on a vegan influenced diet I ordered the vegetarian breakfast substituting two eggs with extra mushrooms. The first order came out with a cold hash brown and a corn fritter instead of the kumara. The substitution was okay but the cold hash brown was not edible so I sent it back. They cooked a new breakfast for me which was better. It turns out the corn fritter is a permanent substitution but they haven't updated menu yet. Seating is a mixture of regular tables, high stools and what look like aeroplane seats opposite bench seats. The plane seats were fine but the bench seats were a bit far from the table for me so I had to sit on the edge of the bench to eat properly. While the dining experience was average, to their credit they didn't charge me for my meal. read more

Mama Brown - Indoors shot - American Near Me - Wellington, WGN

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Everything I had was delicious. A lot of their food taste American, including the bacon, ketchup, and milkshakes. Their pulled pork wasn't as I expected (I'm from the USA "South") but I'll give them a pass because I don't expect it to taste like how it is back home. Excellent service too. Can't wait to go back and try more! read more

The service was good. The food is decent but definitely not somewhere I would go again by choice as a vegetarian as there are very few options for vegetarians read more

went here for a birthday, ordered chicken burger with fries costing almost $20. well, for this price I would have expected a decent restuarant style meal and a gourmet burger. however what I was presented with was no better if not worse than what I recieved at my local fish and chip shop. the chicken was cold and tasted like it had been sitting there all day then quickly reheated, and 1 piece of iceberg lettuce, and 2 slices of tomatoe, the bun wasn't toasted, and the fries (also cold) tasted of dirty cooking oil. I also ordered my son a chicken kids meal, again, the chicken tasted as if it has been sitting there all day then quickly reheated, was dry and stringy. the waiter never came back and asked how our meals were, and when I complained on the night, was told "I understand " and was given an email address to message. never received and apology or a discount or anything. I do not recommend and will be telling everyone to avoid this place like the plague. read more

Pretty average to be honest. Just had the basic burger and was very 'basic'. Beer is overpriced. Entertainment voucher made it ok otherwise would have felt like a bit of a rip. read more

Fun decor, good food, good service. Chicken, waffle's were excellent, fries were amazing. Not for the health conscious.