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Good Morning Mama's
Category: Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
1001 E 54th StIndianapolis, IN 46220
Neighborhood: SoBro
(317) 255-3800
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Breakfast, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
27 reviews for Good Morning Mama's
Review Highlights
"The Java French Toast was amazing with kahlua in the egg..."
(in 2 reviews)
"Swiss bliss omelette was amazing."
(in 2 reviews)
"...and try the French Toast which is made with Challah Bread."
(in 3 reviews)
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27 reviews in English
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Review from Catherine A.
Smyrna, GA
1/23/2012
x2 buttermilk pancakes for $3.99 + real italian sausage.
Decor is like old school diner...filled with blue birds, tulips and hot yellow colors. I would think this place would be big for mother/daughter breakfast buts its patrons were from all walks of life.
$7.99 omelets in 6 different varieties...
Fair price...25 minute wait on Saturdays -
Review from Lynsey S.
Indianapolis, IN
11/6/2011
I've only lived in Indy for about a month, and one of the first things I looked for once I had settled in to my new apartment was a good nearby brunch spot. Good Morning Mama's was one of the first places that came up on my preliminary internet search, and because of the fact that it is solely a brunch restaurant, I figured it was worth a shot.
The first time I planned to go was on Columbus Day with my roommate and my mom, but unfortunately the restaurant is closed on Mondays so we ended up somewhere else instead. After snooping around the website, my roommate and I decided we needed to go at the first opportunity, so we headed there the next day, which happened to be a gorgeous, warm, and sunny October morning.
One of the things I immediately loved about the place was that it had a cute patio for outdoor dining, and luckily it was the perfect day for it. I love the restaurant's brightly painted exterior walls, and while the retro diner theme is a little over-done, it's still cute and hard to dislike. The walls of the interior dining room are adorned with large images of Betty Boop and other nostalgic cartoon images, and the many windows and yellow walls make for a pleasant and warm atmosphere.
As usual, my dilemma when looking over the breakfast menu was deciding between sweet and syrupy French toast or salty, greasy eggs and bacon. While I'm usually more in the mood for an omelet around brunchtime, once I saw the Java French Toast on the menu, I had to get it. How could you say no to a stack of French toast made with Challah bread and Kahlua egg batter and topped with toasted pecans and cinnamon butter? HECK YES. It was just as amazing as I expected it to be, but as usual with French toast, it was way too much for me to finish and I felt terrible letting the leftovers go to waste at the end of the meal.
The second time I went I already had my mind made up that I wanted an omelet since I opted for the French toast the first time. It was still a difficult decision though, because I was equally intrigued by the Vegetarian and the Swiss Bliss. The goat cheese and pesto won out, so I went for the Vegetarian Omelet (no onions, please) with wheat toast, sliced tomatoes, and a side of bacon. One cool thing about the omelets is that they come with toast and your choice of fried potatoes, grits, or sliced tomatoes- since I don't do grits and wasn't in the mood to gorge myself on potatoes, I opted for the fresh tomatoes, and of course I had to add bacon to round out the otherwise vegetarian meal. Obviously, it was delicious, and I have no complaints about the food or service I received.
My only real critique of Good Morning Mama's is that they don't serve Bloody Marys, which are a key component of an excellent brunch, in my opinion. Since they don't have a liquor license they can only serve beer and wine, and though I appreciate the fact that they sell Mimosas by the pitcher, champagne and orange juice is something I have to be in the mood for, whereas Bloody Marys almost always sound good.
The absence of Bloody Marys is really the only thing keeping Good Morning Mama's from a five-star rating, and I will definitely be coming back to this cutesy and affordable family-owned brunch-only restaurant. -
Review from Karl H.
Indianapolis, IN
10/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had heard a lot about this place and their food well before visiting. Many times this isn't a good thing because it sets expectations way too high. This was definitely not the case for Good Morning Mama's. It was busy (which I like!) and despite a short wait, we were promptly seated and had friendly, bustling service. The coffee is just ok (I wish it were better), but the food was fantastic. Well seasoned meat, well prepared eggs, fantastic french toast, and good orange juice.
It is very 50s in its decor, but the food isn't greasy spoon like many 50s themed places usually are. It was healthy, well priced, and had reasonable sized portions. We will be going back frequently. Cafe Patachou you betta watch your back!!! haha, just kidding... sorta. -
Review from Benson S.
Indianapolis, IN
1/14/2012
we tried twice before to eat there, the first time was the Friday before New Year's and the place was very very busy. The second time there were close for vacation. As they say third time is a charm. And it was definitely worth the wait. From the tasty little fried biscuit appetizers,to the wonderful homemade corned beef hash, the best Italian sausage sandwich I've ever had and finishing with homemade cherry pie. Everything was top notch, the staff was warm and friendly and the atmosphere was bright and cheerful. This time I just gave it four stars, after I try the homemade meatballs I am sure it will go to five. They could even serve you a mimosa or what they call the poinsettia; which is champagne and cranberry juice. And the prices are more than reasonable. I cannot think of any bad to say about this place.
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Review from Liz C.
Indianapolis, IN
11/25/2011
Excellent outdoor seating. Swiss bliss was really good.... Would definitely order it again. The service was a bit on the slow side and we have tried to go there before and it was just too crowded (like on a Sunday at 10 am)
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Review from Channa P.
3/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ya'll the food here is really good, and I REALLY liked it. It looks ridiculous inside, but that didn't keep me from tearing up my plate. I'll start from the top.
My friends and I began with the Italian fried biscuits. That's their word for huge donut hole with cinnamon and sugar. It was amazing and was like the perfect dessert before my main meal. Next came my two pancakes, eggs, sausage patty, and cheese grits. The pancakes where buttery and very fluffy. I was sad I didn't have more room in my belly to eat them all. The cheese grits used some type of Mexican style cheddar because they had a subtle kick. I don't believe in grits above the Mason-Dixon line, but this place pulled it off. The other girls at my table had scramblers or breakfast sandwiches. Judging from the silence that hit right after we all got our food, I think they liked it! Once we started talking again I heard lots of good food groans.
I'll go back. It looks like from the other reviewers there are much better places in the ripple. But, I was pretty happy with this one.Listed in: Stops outside of Knox, Best Breakfast/Brunch
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Review from Michael C.
Indianapolis, IN
5/27/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Visited for the first time this week. I tried the Hoosier Version of the Loco Moco.
It was good, but not something I would try again. I also felt it would be better if served in a shorter, wider bowl. They serve it in a tall, narrow cup style dish that makes it hard to get at all the ingredients they stuff in there! I told the server that, and she said many people order it on a plate. Maybe the Management should take that as a sign and change how they serve it!
I do want to go back and try the French Toast which is made with Challah Bread. -
Review from Stephanie B.
Fountain Valley, CA
8/25/2011
The parents took me here on a recent trip to Indy. I had the Hoosier Moco Loco - cheesy grits with sausage. So good! Lots of food and good gravy, yumm! Glad I got to experience this great place!
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Review from Lisa S.
Westfield, IN
3/27/2011 1 photo
Everything about Good Morning Mama's was just okay--food was fine but not great, service was alright, ambiance was fine for a breakfast place. They have a firm commitment to the decor, that's for sure, with extremely bright yellow walls and kitschy 50s figures and scenes painted on the cinder blocks. I did like the Fiestaware dishes, which fit in perfectly. The dining room was pretty loud, probably because of those cinder blocks and the hard floors--you can tell the building used to be a service station, but the owners embrace it with before and after pictures in the waiting area.
As I said, the food was so-so. I ordered a bagel with lox, cream cheese, tomatoes, and capers, and more than anything I was disappointed in the bagel. It tasted like a Lender's bagel that had come out of the freezer. Selection of hot teas was kind of lackluster, too. Everyone else at the table seemed pretty content with their food, but aside from my brother in law and his Challah bread French toast, nobody remarked that their meals were anything special.
Prices were pretty reasonable. It's a solid three stars--A-OK. Next time I'm in Broad Ripple, though, I'd probably go with a breakfast place with a more interesting menu than Good Morning Mama's. -
Review from Chris D.
Indianapolis, IN
2/27/2011
Another great spot in brunch ripple, GMM is a tasty stop for reasonably priced, creative yet familiar food. The decor is cute without being cutsey.
I inhaled their special french toast in no time flat. It was a bit of a tough choice to narrow down the several delicious options but I think I chose well. They lose a couple of points for not having green tea, but I made due without.
It's a little less hip a crowd than you'll find at Taste, Patachu, or Zest but definitely more kid and wallet friendly than the other three. We got a table without a wait by getting there at 9am but it began filling up quickly not too long after. So, keep an eye on the clock and plan your trip with some care. -
Review from Elizabeth H.
Indianapolis, IN
11/11/2010 3 Check-ins Here
GMM's = laid back atmosphere, neighborhood feeling, delicious breakfast food, and artsy diner decor.
Would I want go here on a Sunday morning? Well, no. But that's because on Sunday morning I am sleeping, and don't come between me and my weekend sleep-in.
Veggie options are clearly marked and readily available (goat cheese in the veggie omlette...mmm), coffee is filled and re-filled, and service is just what it needs to be (good, but not too in-your-face).
I'll stick to hitting this spot on off times, and suggest you do the same. Open Tuesdays - Sundays 8 - 2:30. -
Review from Emily U.
6/13/2010
Fake loud diner kitsch. Despite the bright colors of the exterior, I had no idea Good Morning Mama's would be so Ed Debevic's-y. Or for those of you who don't know the Chicago chain Ed Debevic's, maybe Johnny Rocket's is a good reference point. I love antiques and even kitsch, but this kind of thing hurts my brain a little bit. And I really don't need the pink 50s Cadillac, Betty Boop and soda jerk murals painted on the wall to get it.
Despite the abrasive decor, the breakfast was pretty good. I had a veggie omelet with goat cheese, portabellos, spinach, tomatoes and onions. The potatoes--served in thin discs--were crispy and delicious. The java cinnamon french toast was yummy too. It's above-average diner food in a non-greasy spoon setting. Really, it would be great for a hangover except the cinder block walls make it very loud in there.
And the coffee was unacceptably awful--your worst dirt delivered by Sysco and brewed in a big urn. Like I might not even order it next time. And I'm a coffee ADDICT!
My advice to Good Morning Mama's: start serving the Monon Coffee Company's Choo Choo Brew and tone down the kitsch. Take a cue from Lynn's Paradise Cafe in Louisville and add your own creative twist to the genre. Also, a couple more veggie items, such as veggie biscuits and gravy, would up your cool factor exponentially. -
Review from Neal T.
Indianapolis, IN
1/17/2011
Frankly, I don't get it. We met friends for Sunday brunch and GMM's was bustling. The waiter interpreted our request for a few more minutes to look over the menu as a request to ignore us for a while, returning to pour coffee and water in our mugs, cups, and on the table, before walking away again for several more minutes.
I ordered the two pancakes meal and it was ok - the blueberry pancakes were fluffy, the sausage side was bland, the eggs were cold, and the fried potatoes were so uneven that some slices were hardly cooked while others might as well have been burned potato chips. The waiter left a single check on the table which might have been a suggestion that he didn't want to be bothered with splitting it, but we asked him to anyway (and then left a 20% tip because I don't fight fire with fire).
The decor is '50s diner but it just doesn't work in this former mechanic's space. To top it off, neither of the large bathrooms offer changing tables, which means they are either poor planners or don't want people with young children eating there. The bathroom did, however, smell like pizza, which was pleasantly disconcerting. I'm 99% sure that GMM's is affiliated with Mama Carolla's next door, but MC's executes just about every aspect of the dining experience at a higher level than GMM's.
If I want a greasy spoon breakfast, the Steer Inn is closer and cheaper. If I want to go to Broad Ripple for brunch, I'll go to Taste or Patachou. Not that Good Morning Mama's needs my business - we had to bump our way out the door through a large crowd of people waiting for tables. -
Review from Jimmy W.
6/26/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Good Morning Mama's is a great place to go for a little breakfast bite. The food was very good, came out pretty quickly, and the wait staff was more than friendly. There was just something about the decor that kind of hurt my eyes a little bit in the morning. Despite that, we got to sit outside on the patio, which was awesome, and enjoyed some not-so-enormous breakfast portions, which made my stomach happy. Living just a few blocks away is awesome!
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Review from Wes A.
Indianapolis, IN
12/22/2011
great 50's style decor and good breakfast!
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Review from Bob W.
Indianapolis, IN
10/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
Visited Good Morning Mama's today for Sunday brunch. Let's talk about the food. I had a spinach melt sandwich that was just excellent. It was spinach. It was melt. And it was crispy bacon with some sort of pesto sauce in between two perfectly toasted slices of homestyle bread. Could not have been better. Side of potato salad. OK. Nothing special.
It was noisy, so we had to lean toward the person across the table to hear. Pleasant racket I can deal with - we have kids. I would say that the acoustics could hold GMMs back from being 4 star across the board, though. It can't be easy on the staff.
2 kids at our table - they were extremely happy with their pancakes and bacon. And the brightly colored walls. -
Review from Tim H.
Indianapolis, IN
6/13/2010
Besides the obnoxious decor, the folks behind Mama Carollas pull off breakfast pretty well. I had a traditional breakfast, consisting of an egg, some sausage, and a pancake. Treat yourself to the fried biscuits/donuts/whatever they are called. You won't be disappointed.
As mentioned in other reviews, the coffee leaves some to be desired. Patachou and Zest have spoiled that for us by serving some of the best coffees around.
Service was acceptable, and the food was served promptly.
I'll definitely be back around, but maybe with a pair of sunglasses on. Or a blindfold. -
Review from Jamison R.
Indianapolis, IN
11/29/2009
Good Morning Mama's recently opened and is an offshoot of Mama Corrolla's. It's located next door. We went for breakfast but they serve lunch as well.
Breakfast was good. I had the Eggs in Purgatory which is two poached eggs in Mama Corrolla's marinara sauce with a side of toast. It was really tasty & had tons of marinara that I was tempted to slurp off the plate. My friends both had eggs, sausage, cheese grits (which they said were great) and toast.
I definitely want to go again to try other breakfast & lunch items. -
Review from Erin V.
Indianapolis, IN
5/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good food! I will definitely go back to eat!
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Review from Todd R.
10/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
I must make another trip here because I game almost forgotten about it. The food is excellent, the service was great, the bill was slightly higher than most, but I was happy. A better update will follow soon...
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Review from Kate B.
2/13/2010
I did like Good Morning Mamas. It has really cute decor and some fun items on the menu.
I had French toast with almonds. It was good and service was quick. I've heard other people complain that it is "boring," but it seemed to have some unique menu items to try for the more adventurous.
It is a good place to grab a quick breakfast with friends. -
Review from Tracy R.
Indianapolis, IN
8/16/2010 6 Check-ins Here
We have a regular reliable Sunday breakfast spot but decided to branch out of our comfort zone and head North! Our children were with us so we called ahead to see if there was a wait and how long. By the sound of the guy on the phone, out of breath and very short tempered, I figured on an hour wait and snooty service. This guy must be sooooo busy. Nope, he quoted 5 minutes for a table. We found out later why he was probably out of breath and I'll explain my theory at the end. After this phone call, we're skeptical but forge ahead!
We arrive and indeed the wait is approximately 5 minutes: great accuracy for what seemed to be a stressed out, irritated waiter.
The decor, as previously noted, is VERY bright yellow with turquoise and pink accents including Betty Boop everywhere and a large Cadillac on one wall. The acoustics? Nonexistent, it's just plain loud! In a nutshell? Great atmosphere for kids: no one will hear them if they're screaming and the walls camouflage garish kids clothing. Perfect!
Oh, right, the food!? The menu is large and includes many lunch items plus beer and wine. That said, we want breakfast and there are tons of options. Everything from traditional egg combo plates to egg burritos to eggs in purgatory. The tots order their usual spread of scrambled eggs, a pancake and bacon and sausage to split. The kiddie menu portion was ample and well priced. Satisfied customers. As for the hubby and I? We fared well. My husband quickly decided on some kind of Spam Omelet with Potatoes and Toast. It was well received by him and the plate was quickly cleared. I opted for a Breakfast Burrito. It came with no side so I also ordered Potatoes. The Burrito was good but not $9 good with no side. The potatoes I added were pretty common. To me, they're not really worth the extra money but should just accompany each dish.
Ah yes, the stressed out waiter on the phone. Our server was sweet, hard working and tried to accommodate but could hardly keep up. I do not fault her at all. She was running at least 6 tables including an 8-top all on her own. The place with the patio is huge so seemed a bit understaffed for the amount of people piling in to dine. There was some obvious stress that couldve been solved by one or two more sets of hands.
All in all, we'll go back! It's great for kids, groups and no-nonsense breakfast. Tweak the service and a few pricing issues and I'll bump ya right up to four stars, Mama! -
Review from Cyndi C.
Chicago, IL
6/28/2010 ROTD 6/9/2011
Food was good. Atmosphere was poor. The place is almost entirely open with high ceilings making for a very loud eating experience. You hear the TV's, kitchen staff, other patrons, children. I did like the food and the atmosphere may have been ok if I were better prepared (aka had less of a headache).
Listed in: Food!
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Review from Jay C.
Fishers, IN
12/8/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Good food and service. Nice place for breakfast or lunch.
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Review from Wade W.
Danville, IN
4/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
Excellent breakfast on my birthday! Swiss bliss omelette was amazing!! Adorable decor and great service.
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Review from Jen L.
Overland Park, KS
9/3/2010
Great blueberry pancakes! The Java French Toast was amazing with kahlua in the egg batter. Service could have been better but we just waived someone over to get more coffee. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place for brunch!
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Review from jim b.
Indianapolis, IN
3/20/2010
Had a great breakfast early in the afternoon at GMM. The veggie omelet/toast/tomatoes was very good and service was quick and efficient. Sat at the counter and enjoyed all the activity buzzing around the restaurant on a Saturday afternoon. Initially I thought breakfast was served all day on Sunday only but the waitress said they had breakfast all day. Nice addition to the breakfast restaurants in the IND area.
