Let me just start by saying that I'm from the actual south so I'm really hard on soul food. I recently moved and have been craving soul food that I don't have to cook myself. So far I haven't been impressed but anyway... Someone recommended Mama's Oven so I drove over and ordered. THAT WAS MISTAKE NUMBER 1! I waited almost 2 hours after ordering for my food. Even for soul food, that was a bit much in my opinion. And you can see them making trays so it's not like all of the food was currently being cooked super fresh. Most of it was ready. Idk what was going on. I tried the fried pork chop and oxtails. With rice, yams, Mac and cheese and dressing. The fried pork chop was great! Good seasoning and tender! The oxtails were good but nothing to go to crazy for. Definitely not worth a 2hour wait. Can't mess up white rice lol. I didn't like the dressing especially because it comes pre smothered in gravy. Not a fan of the Mac and cheese but other people seemed to love it. And the yams were ok. Overall, support a black business and the food isn't bad. Call in your order and then wait 30 minutes before you head there and you might lIke it. read more

Being raised in the south, sorry Texas, you ain't southern, I can honestly say I haven't eaten a true southern cooked meal in this city since I first moved here in 2007. Not any more! Mama's is a 100% legit, soul food, smothered with gravy, heaven in a strip mall! How legit u ask? They serve chittlins on Sunday! There is a lovely prayer on the cash register blessing the food for the customers! The little old lady (Mama?) that took our order was precious! Walls are decorated with B team local music posters from 15 years ago, with some cool autographs addressed directly to Mama! Had the smothered pork chops, greens, mashed taters and gravy, and cabbage. BOOM. I love this place. Don't go if ur in a hurry, took away a star because we were hung over and starving and it took FOREVER for the food. But worth the wait! Next time I'm called in ahead of time! read more

Mama's Oven - Soul Food Near Me - Houston, Texas

I know I have not visited in a while and I need to get back to those smothered pork chops. Food was soo good when I last visited that it made my uncle start dancing (they don't have soul food restaurants in the city he lives in) so dancing was all he could do from not doing a cartwheel. Staff was wonderful for people who came in the last few minutes before closing and having that quiet peace before heading home. Thank you for all you do.. read more

So the hubbs and I were driving around for some random foodventure, hoping to just happen upon a great restaurant. We cheated a little (thanks mobile Yelp app!) and turned into this nice hole in the wall off Main. We walked in and knew this place was legit soul food when we were two of four Asians in a predominantly black atmosphere. Now, this is where it gets pretty confusing. You walk up to the counter and place your order. The older woman at the counter was super sweet and made us feel at home. They have a glass case of food and sides, but when you order, the girl at the glass case yells out an order and the cooks in the back make things fresh. By the time we got there, they already ran out of mac & cheese and ... I think fried chicken, which is what I wanted. So instead, we got the last order of oxtail, rice and gravy, beans and collard greens. We sat down and waited for our food. It was nice that they brought some warm corn bread while we waited. We did wait for a long time... even with the corn bread, I was getting hungry and cranky. To be honest, when we were served our food, it just looked like similar colored food slopped on a plate. "How good could this really be?" I thought. Well, let me tell you. REALLY, REALLY GOOD. Made with love and TLC, everything was sooo flavorful. Oxtails were tender, fall-off-the-bone. Rice and beans were flavorful and stood strong on its own. And these were probably the best collard greens I have ever had... delicious, flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth greens. I could not put the food in my mouth fast enough. The lemonade was a large cup of CountryTime, boo. But besides that and the wait, we will definitely be back for our southern comfort food fix! read more

Mama's Oven - Ox tail, rice and gravy and mustard greens - Soul Food Near Me - Houston, Texas

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The atmosphere of this place is definitely southern. The staff has every bit of southern hospitality in them! From the "come on right in" to the "hey baby", I felt the love. The oxtails were tender with tons of flavor. The macaroni and casserole is also very creamy and filled with lots of cheese. I'll certainly be back. read more

Mama's Oven - Oxtails, rice, cornbread, Mac & cheese, & broccoli & cheese casserole - Soul Food Near Me - Houston, Texas

The story begins on a Sunday afternoon. I wanted Soul Food close enough to me that I could get in and out without much effort... I got more than I bargained for. The oxtails were the rave of the yelp reviews. I didn't mind paying a slightly higher price than I was accustomed to because (1) I want to support small businesses and (2) I felt like it was more than worth it. Based on my photos I received a generous portion of oxtails, BUT seeing how the cooks may have felt rushed the quality of taste was not there. I'll get to that at the end of the review. The sides were on point! The Rice/ Broccoli Casserole was heavenly. Equal balance of all the ingredients. The Chocolate Cake was super moist and rich. Worthy of top dessert status. The location has its own unique vibe to it. Management should renovate the inside. It looks like it's falling apart. Lastly, the main reason for the low rating was the WAIT. I waited over 45 minutes when I was told 20 minutes for the oxtails. I would appreciate honesty from management. The lady at the register knew that it would take 45 minutes to an hour to make those oxtails... Instead of making the decision to wait or stay, I felt it was made for me. I didn't like that one bit. I would feel a little different if I was the only one waiting for oxtails, but everyone in the restaurant was standing around waiting for oxtails too. I know because I asked them! Due to the demand and pressure for the cooks to get the oxtails out, the quality was lowered. The oxtails had little to know seasoning... Huge disappointment, especially waiting over 45 minutes. Mama's is on the lower end of Soul Food spots I've tried in Houston. Hope they get it together. read more

Mama's Oven - The oxtails with mac and cheese, Rice Casserole, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Cornbread, and Chocolate Cake. - Soul Food Near Me - Houston, Texas

I arrived at 545pm and waited an entire HOUR for my food! I was not pleased at all! I will not visit this place again NO TIME SOON! How do you have ALL these cooks in the kitchen but guest or waiting over and hour on top of you RUNNING OUT OF FOOD! I wasn't the only guest that waited over and hour for food. My number was 31 and when I sat down they were only st number 26! Well 30 minutes had pass and they were only on #28. They had two cooks in the kitchen, the elderly lady cashier, one line worker, one guy waiter (who's apron was filthy), a lady in heels but was in the kitchen with the cooks (helping the cooks with no gloves on,BUT kept walking back up front and to the lobby area). My issues is, they NEVER came to apologize for their inconvenience and at least explain they didn't have anymore food; NEVER offered to see if I wanted anything else in place of what I initially ordered (in which I would of told them "no thank you"), and NEVER offered me anything to drink as a possible courtesy for my waiting inconvenience. FINALLY, after a hour wait I went to request my money back and they came out with my food. There was gravy wasted all in my bag, the cornbread dressing was burnt, the food was semi warm, the strawberry cake was dry. Hence, I WASTED $16.80 for what? My mom makes better soul food than this. I've never went to a soul food place and they have NOTHING on the line to eat and they've ran out of food. Also, other customers began to walk out as well as getting a refund because of the service. Nonetheless, I will never eat there again. I threw all the food away. read more

I'm really giving them a 3 1/2 stars. Went in around 1:45 pm on a Thursday to grab a late lunch and the wait was ridiculous - close to 20 min. I know they make it fresh (apparently they were out of cooked pork chops) but they should have told us there would be a wait. 3 ppl came in after us and left before us :( The portions are huge. I had enough for lunch and dinner. Smothered pork chops - yummy and cooked and smothered perfectly (2) Rice - standard (a lil salty) mac and cheese - cheesy but extremely salty - this is my fave thing to eat and I could only take a few bites before I had to stop It comes with cornbread but we didn't want to wait another 10 min for it so I can't comment on how good/bad it is. I am not against going back as I would like to try the baked chicken and maybe some different sides. Overall, it was an ok experience. read more

I try to support black owned businesses but the service here is extremely extremely slow. I waited 30 minutes for cornbread dressing and green beans. I finally walked out without any food. I will never return to this establishment. read more

Casual, laid back restaurant with nice and courteous waitstaff. Went with a group of friends here for some soul food. I ordered the smothered pork chop with mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. The portion size was great (you won't go hungry when you leave the door). However, I found the food quite salty, I felt like I left with high blood pressure. Don't get me wrong, though. The food was quite tasty. The pork chop and mac and cheese had good texture and flavor. I would recommended adding black pepper over your food for added punch. Overall, it was a great place to eat, relax, and enjoy good company. Oh, and go next door to Hank's to get some ice cream (If there's still room in your belly). =) read more

Mama's Oven - Smothered pork chops - Soul Food Near Me - Houston, Texas

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This spot is amazing. We came from Md for a weekend getaway and the restaurant we were going to go to was really crowded. We went online and found Mama's Oven. I'm so glad we did. Everything we had was amazing. From the oxtails, to the smothered pork chops. Everything was delicious. Definitely will return when I visit Houston again. read more

2 days in a row my coworkers and I have ordered food from Mama's! They get busy, every order is pretty much made one by one -so it is fresh! The decor/building is not the nicest, but once you take a bite of the food, you will not care! Sides: Mac & Cheese - AMAZING. I could eat an entire plate! It is creamy, cheesy, out of the oven... ahhh *drool* Yams - tastes like Thanksgiving - lots of butter and cinnamon! Cabbage - not bad, but I prefer "It's Just Good" cabbage better. Greens - Good (said a co-worker). Entree: Fried Pork Chop/Smothered Pork Chop: The breading stays on it well! Doesnt fall off when you cut it - i pretty much used my hands though. VERY GOOD! Fried Catfish: Just the right amount of spice, a cornmeal crust. HUGE pieces! Yumm Once of the best (cheap) meals I've had in a while! And yes the food is seasoned well - a bit salty - but it all has good flavors! If you still have room for dessert (or a sweet tooth like me) go next door and get Hanks Ice Cream! read more

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Good, but really slow. If you're in a hurry don't come here. Everything they serve can be cooked in advance so it should be done already except for the fried items. The food is really good and you know it's made with love. So I guess i'll keep waiting. read more

Everything was sooooooo good! We will certainly will be going back for pork chops, greens and corn bread. Nothing fancy but the food is awesome. read more

I really wish I could give them a 5* but i can't..we called in ahead of time at 11 am ..went at 1120 place still looked closed.. Food ready at 12:15 pm smh ..Food was delish though.. Don't go during work lunch hrs This place would make so much more if they had enough staff..and actually had the food started read more

Is that my Grandmother back from the grave and cooking soul food?? Nope it's Mamas oven. Went here on a Sunday around 3:00 and it didn't seem busy as the other reviews experienced however don't let that fool you, it's CRAZY SLOW AND UNORGANIZED!!! Sadly to say that's pretty typical of most really good soul food joints. The young girls working the line and packing orders seem to move slower than the cooks and the lady I'm assuming was Mama working the register. My thoughts, have one girl packing take out orders, one for dine in orders and one to expedite phone orders. A women who was overseeing the disaster of a the wait was clearly frustrated. However what I didn't expect was the great service amongst the chaos. She apologized for the wait and was even comping some orders of upset customers. The Food I wanted Meatloaf and Mac and cheese however they ran out another thing I hate at soul food joints. What I got Baked Chicken, broccoli Cassrole, yams and Cabbage with cornbread with a side of gravy. It was the TRUTH!!! The chicken was seasoned perfectly, gravy was super on point. Corn bread will make you salivate. The YAMS WERE PERFECTION! The cabbage and Broc cass were just ok I wouldn't order again. All in all not much of a difference from most soul food places, chaos that taste like pure heaven in your mouth!!! My husband and I ordered the same thing all of that for only $21.62 HOLLA read more

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After arriving at the Courtyard by Marriott Houston Medical Center, I went to trusty Yelp for some recommendations as to where to grab a fun, non-chain dinner and Mama's Oven kept coming up as it was very well rated and only 1.5 miles away. I called ahead and ordered the pork chops, greens, and mashed potatoes. Mama said it would be ready in about 10 minutes. It actually took about 25 but was WELL worth the wait. No frills at all. Order at the counter, watch some TV while eating or waiting, and savor the aroma and tastes. Oh, and Mama was great. She had a look at the food she had just prepared and told me that it looked really good. :-) read more

Mama's Oven - Soul Food Near Me - Houston, Texas

1st timer. I was very skeptical on trying bc of the mixed reviews but you only live once right?.! Anyways upon entry I was greeted promptly. I placed my order and was shocked by the prices but I don't mind paying if the food is good. I ordered meatloaf brown gravy, green beans, Mac and cheese and yams with peach cobbler. It was $16.80 or something around there. I was like damn this better be fye. I'm visiting from TN and have my mind set on how Soulfood is supposed to taste. This for me isn't it!!! The meatloaf was unseasoned and the gravy was decent, Mac and cheese was cooked right but no flavor the cheese didn't taste like cheese like powder cheese with off brand cheese, the green beans fresh out the can they didn't cook long enough, yams were decent and the peach cobbler had potential but it wasn't sweet. 2 stars for the nice lady. I literally tasted everything and put it in the trash. Maybe today wasn't the day. read more

Mama's Oven - Peach cobbler - Soul Food Near Me - Houston, Texas

Great food. My favorite place to eat a great home cooked meal. Feels like your at your grandmother's kitchen table. Every time I go, I'm greeted with a smiling face. They always remember the last thing i told them & ask me "how it went." Love this place! read more

Mama's Oven - Smothered pork chops over rice with a side of mac & cheese & mashed potatoes! - Soul Food Near Me - Houston, Texas

Food is NASTY . Everything tasted canned to me. Had ordered a ox tail plate with Mac and cheese and candied yams and it wasn't it . I asked if the Mac and cheese was baked they said yeah it was velvetta. Order some lemonade and it was powderrcountry time.I was looking for some nice southern soul food and it was a waste of 20$ . CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT BUT FOOD IS NOT IT ! read more

I have tried many of the soul food places around town and hands down this is the best one in houston...love the meatloaf...with the red gravy, no so much the brown gravy. The smothered pork chops are amazing as well...i haven't tried the oxtails yet, but that is on my bucket list. read more

Came in to order, they said 10 minutes, waited over 30 minutes for the food that was already ready to be served. The server was just too busy talking to serve the food. Oxtails were lukewarm, rice was overcooked, gravy was bland and the cornbread dressing was both cold and hard. Mac was fresh made but a bit salty. Won't be returning. Go to This is it instead. read more

I walked into this establishment hoping for the best. I enjoy supporting small businesses. During this time there are no deserts. Understandable... Covid, so I gave them the benefit of the doubt. I called my order in ahead of time, arrived only to still wait about 45 mins. I watched someone walk in after I've waited near an hour, place their order, and leave with their food. I also looked around and noticed something very wrong, all of their angry impatient customers were wearing mask covering both their mouth and nose, and all of the cooks and people handling the were not. If it's worn on your chin, what's the use. Sorry. I won't be returning. read more

Stop in between customers always looking for good of the path places to eat. Found this little Gem oxtails are of the chain. Will be back if in neighborhood again read more

The food here is astounding! Along with the amazing hospitality I'm having a hard time giving this 3 stars. Most of my issues lie with the wait-time and last time I came (about a month ago, in June) none of the staff was wearing masks. I hope the conditions of this amazing restaurant have changed since then. Highly recommend y'all try this place out but I am not too happy with the long wait time and cleanliness. read more

The food here was horrible. Customer service sucked. I ordered oxtails with rice and brown gravy. The meat was tough, the gravy was white not brown and not seasoned. No desserts available. The menu stated pinto beans and none available. Will never return read more

The food here has never disappointed. I was introduced to this family ran establishment when I was 7. I am now 25 and even tho I live in New Caney, TX I still make the drive for the ox tails. I try to make the drive on Fridays to get a plate of ox tails and fried Catfish. ​This isn't McDonald's, you get fresh hot food that's made when you order. And the food is well worth the drive and the wait ! read more

It's a small hole in the wall not too far from reliant. I went on a Sunday afternoon. It's a line service and does move fairly slow. However, the employees are friendly and food good. I ordered the smothered pork chop with mustard greens and broccoli rice casserole. Other than the pork chops being a bit salty (I am more sensitive to salt) it was tasty! I think the meal was $11 or less with tax. Side note: there is no to go line so even if call in the order, you still need to wait in line read more

Mama's Oven - Smothered pork chops, mustard greens & broccoli rice casserole - Soul Food Near Me - Houston, Texas

Let me start by saying , I wanted 20-30minutes for Cold food .. rice was hard not cooked all the way pork chop tasted like it was cooked yesterday the soda was the best thing I had beside the yams they weird hard kind of but the juice and flavor was amazing probably wouldn't repeat ! read more

Mama's Oven - Soul Food Near Me - Houston, Texas

I stopped eating here years ago because the food was never ready when they opened. So today I wanted soilfood so bad and said I would go. HUGE MISTAKE!!! Nothing was ready.... this was after 12 and they open at 11! Only thing on the hot table was corn and cabbage. They was making food thru the widow they they was heating it up back there. Then they keep saying how they didn't have this or that. The over all appearance inside is not up to par. If there was a minimal wait and the food was better maybe I would have given 3 stars. That cornbread dressing was horrible. Yuck... I have 1 star the baked chicken wings that's it.. chocolate cake was dry and old. read more

Very disappointed! My second time here in over some years. Service is still slow as ever! The oxtails were not good or flavorful at all. I could tell just by looking at the gravy...it's not dark enough. They could have been cooked longer definitely not tender at all. The dressing and greens had an off taste too. Broccoli casserole, and yams were good. read more

Mama's Oven - Soul Food Near Me - Houston, Texas

I really wanted soul food so I thought I'd try mamas oven after hearing so many good things about it. Took forever..they said it'll take 30 minutes I said OK. I ran some errands called them back they said it'll take 5 more minutes so I gave them 10 more minutes still wasn't ready when I arrived. Food was extremely salty. Extreme. Place seemed unclean. Sad to say I won't be back. read more

Mama's Oven - Very Salty and dry.. - Soul Food Near Me - Houston, Texas

Food is pretty good. Will try the place again for sure. Looks a little old in the inside, but overall a cool place to grab something to eat.

Grant it this is a small, hole in the wall type of cafe style restaurant, the food is delicious and the portions are very large. The only downside to their restaurant is the fact that they don't prepare your meat until you arrive to pick up your order. Even though you order takeout via phone, and drive 15-20 minutes there, expecting your food to be ready, you still have to wait another 20 or so minutes before you can get your food and that depends on whether there are orders waiting ahead of you. They really need to work on fixing this system because at times it's a huge inconvenience and keeps me from doing business with them regularly. read more

My very first time going there and the food was delicious. I will be going there again tonight to pick up dinner.

I been coming here for a year, because it is on my way home but they need to do better. The venue is no where I would want to sit and eat. They take forever to prepare food, 30-40 minutes is ridiculous for stuff that should already be cooked. The AC unit is broken or they choose to leave it off. So you are sweating waiting for your food. I just can't anymore, maybe it is time for them to give it up or scale back on the days open. The older ladies in there should be enjoying life and not running this business anymore. read more

This is the last review for Mama's Oven. I will not be eating here again. I know it sounds so final but here is what happened. I went to the place this morning around 10:45 am and waited to call in my order for baked chicken with mac & cheese and mustard greens. When I called I spoke to Martin, placed the order after asking if rice was a side. He said no and I was okay with that. I paid for the lunch, checked the contents and drove home. The container had what I expected but there was a whole bed of rice on top of which were 3 pieces of baked chicken wings. I had been told there was no rice. So much for knowing the food. The mac & cheese and the mustard greens were extremely salty. I threw them out. I ate the chicken but the rice was mushy and hard. It went into the garbage too. Of all my lunch choices this afternoon, this was the worst choice. Never again. read more

Mama's Oven - Baked chicken, Mac n cheese, mustard greens, corn bread. - Soul Food Near Me - Houston, Texas

Ok so... First things first.. The service is slow, but sometimes that's ok with me. This wasn't one of those times. I was on my lunch break, I drove clear across town to get some oxtails, and ended up waiting over 30 minutes for them to put my food in styrofoam container. There was literally no line and noone in front of me. As far as the taste of the food is concerned.. ok..about that... The food was NOT seasoned very well. The oxtails were not very tender.. and to be honest, the gravy tasted like it came from a jar. The mac and cheese was definitely worth the drive. The green beans too. But for $15 you would have thought it would come with rice.. But you'd be wrong. And...you would've thought that when I ordered I would have been advised that it didn't and had been given the option to get some. But again... you'd be wrong. All in all.. its not the worse soulfood i've had, and definitely not the best. I probably wont be back. read more

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Nice black owned business. Very friendly staff. A mixup was made on my order and they corrected it with no problem and no questions asked. Very good soul food definitely reminds me of back home. read more

Mama's Oven - Soul Food Near Me - Houston, Texas

I love Mama's Oven! My favorite thing on the menu is the oxtails, followed closely by the smothered pork chops! The Mac and cheese is awesome along with the yams. Everything is good here. The building needs a little TLC but other than that, I always enjoy their food. The people are always friendly. I've never waited too long but if it's peak times, expect to wait a while. read more