Mamma Mia!
Longtime Italian restaurant closing after 19 years in Fort Worth
In sad shutdown news, the long-standing Italian restaurant Mamma Mia Italian Grill & Pizza is closing at its location in north Fort Worth after 19 years.
A manager confirmed the closure over the phone, saying that they’re closing because their lease is up and they chose not to renew. Their final day open will be February 28.
"The landlord increased the rent payments quite a bit, which was enough for us to decide to leave, and we weren't making enough profits," says general manager Franco Cruz. "We'll be heading out and looking for maybe a smaller location."
Located at 3124 E. Belknap St., Mamma Mia first opened in 2006, and became a popular destination for families and date nights with its selection of affordably priced pizzas and pastas. They also allowed BYOB.
Their most popular dishes included chicken fettuccine, stuffed mushrooms in a cream sauce, chicken parmigiana, and Neapolitan pizzas. The baked pasta sampler came with "3 favorite dishes" — lasagna, manicotti, and canelloni — and was only $10.99.
It was great for a cheap lunch with sub sandwiches like sausage & pepper, for $8-$10, and at dinner you could get chicken alfredo or chicken piccata, with soup or salad and two rolls, for $15. What's not to like?
The dining room boasted a warm, rustic decor with hues of salmon and brown, iron chandeliers, and a stone, cherub-like fountain in the main dining room.
According to the Fort Worth Star Telegram, it was founded by the Kaba family and Art Ramadani, who've owned a host of casual Italian concepts. Eventually, ownership was transferred to the Cruz family.
The restaurant was in the McAdams Building, first built in 1931 and home to many businesses over the years such as a drug store, grocery, post office, and barbershop. At ont point, it was at risk of being demolished and replaced by a parking lot but was saved at the last minute and has been called a catalyst for the Race Street area.
Mamma Mia briefly had a second location on Magnolia Avenue in the former Palermo’s but later closed. The Beast and Company, a restaurant serving Southern and global fare, replaced it in 2022.
The restaurant will remain open during regular hours until the last day.
