As featured in the June 14, 2012 edition of Dining Out, Waterloo Region Record (photo credit, The Record)
Life is busy. And in the hustle and bustle of getting yourself (and maybe others) out the door in the morning, a packed lunch might be the last thing on your mind. “I’ll pick something up,” you think to yourself, hoping the $10 in your wallet will get you a fast-food sandwich to fuel your hectic afternoon. Sure, healthy ‘real food’ would be nice, but you don’t have time for that today. Or do you?
Enter Mambella’s on Columbia Street in Waterloo, nestled deep in the heart of RIM country, where high-speed service is valued and appreciated. Established in 2007, this Italian deli and café is where to go to find fresh, homemade, “real food” quicker than you can download the hottest new app. It specializes in sandwiches (featuring grilled paninis, subs and wraps), salads, soups, pastas, pizza, fresh-out-of-the-oven desserts and even breakfast. Mambella’s also has a freezer filled with hand-made entrées such as chicken parmigiana, vegetarian, meat or creamy spinach lasagna, and thaw-and-bake cookie dough ready to take home and throw in the oven to please any crowd. And it caters.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: real, honest food speaks for itself. There’s likely a reason I haven’t seen this place advertised, and it’s no surprise it’s only open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those who know and love Mambella’s are causing it to flourish. I don’t think advertising beyond word of mouth is even necessary: every time I’ve been there, the place has been just hopping.
I finally took mi amore for a weekday lunch date to share the little gem I’ve been raving about for months. To start, I had the twisted house salad ($4.49): spinach and vibrant romaine punctuated with mandarin oranges, cranberries, raisins, slivered almonds, sunflower seeds and raspberry dressing. The flavour combination was molto bene.
My husband had the Italian salad ($4.49), which was heavy on the romaine with a few tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, Parmigiano-Reggiano and balsamic Italian dressing. While he longed for more ingredients, it was a healthy way to start a meal and the portions were grossa.
He chased all that lettuce with a ‘Tony Soprano super sub’ ($8.59), which would’ve made Johnny Boy proud: slow-and-low roasted beef (prepared in-house), sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, Italian dressing, mozzarella di bufala, provolone on a fresh, toasted sub bun. My husband appreciates a sandwich that doesn’t require a car jack to pry his mouth open and it fit the bill. And this fresh, gourmet, perfectly proportioned sub was priced about $1 more than you’d pay at a sub franchise. However, instead of being thrown together on an assembly line, it tasted like someone prepared it with pride, love and kindness.
I had the ‘caught red-handed panini’ ($6.49), which was baby spinach, goat cheese, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, cilantro and honey Dijon herb dressing wrapped in a red sundried tomato tortilla. It was grilled to perfection and had just the right hint of sweetness and gooeyness. Days later, I salivate just writing about it.
For dessert, I had a ginger cookie, half of which was dipped in chocolate ($1.99) and my husband had moist, spiced carrot cake ($1.99). Most Mambella customers take their orders to go or sit on one of the picnic tables outside, but we opted to eat inside the 20-person restaurant to savour this slow food among its fast crowd.
I can’t say enough about this place. Go get yourself a real lunch. Bada bing!
Hours
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closes at 4 p.m. on Fridays in the summer
Wheelchair accessibility
Inaccessible
Cuisine
Italian, homemade, just like nonna used to make in the old country (I’m not Italian nor do I come from Italian lineage but everyone’s got a make-believe nonna, right? That isn’t just me?). Mambella’s also has ready-to-bake frozen entrées and catering services.
Menu
Grilled paninis, subs, wraps, salads, variety of homemade pastas, and baked goods made from scratch. Fresh ingredients, lovingly prepared. Vegetarian, wheat- and gluten-free options.
Reservations
Not necessary.
Atmosphere
Most people come to Mambella’s for take-out, but there is seating for about 20 and a few picnic tables outside.
Drinks
Waterloo coffee, Brio, pop, sparkling water and socially-responsible juices and iced teas.
Service
Familial, hospitable and hopping. Lots of camaraderie among staff and customers; the food isn’t the only thing that’s genuine about the place.
The bill
$31.77 (before tax) for two salads, two sandwiches, two desserts, a menno tea and a coffee.
In a nutshell
Mambella’s motto is ‘fresh, fast and friendly’ and it’s true. Three cheers (and forks) for real food!
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