Mama Juana Cafe, the New York-based restaurant chain known for its Dominican cuisine and sushi, is taking a slightly different approach at its first Philadelphia location, which opens in Fishtown on Thursday.
Located just steps from Brooklyn Bowl and the Fillmore, this restaurant is the chain’s most upscale location and also the first to offer extensive vegan options. Mama Juana Café offers Dominican cuisine and a vacation atmosphere, as well as a DJ lounge and sushi.
Mama Juana Group president David Heredia said he received many requests to open a location in Philadelphia, especially from people who had moved there from New York, but ultimately decided to move after members of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce fell in love with the cafe and offered to help open a new restaurant.
“We were looking for the right place and time in Philadelphia to open a store, and Fishtown seemed like a really good location for us given all the scene around it,” Heredia said. “We love that there’s so much culture there: art, restaurants, bars, comedy clubs, theater.”
The 10,000-square-foot restaurant at 1000 Frankford Street will seat 350 inside, 30 at the bar and 60 on the terrace. The restaurant takes over the space formerly occupied by Mad Rex, an apocalyptic-themed restaurant that opened in 2017 and closed amid the pandemic. It was followed by The Fin, a restaurant from the Club du Jour team that closed after three months in 2022.
Photo provided/Mama Juana Group
Mama Juana Cafe in Fishtown will have seating for 350 indoors, 30 at the bar and 60 on the patio.
Mama Juana’s menu focuses on Dominican cuisine with some Caribbean and Asian fusion, and chefs Alexis Rosario and Jose Zarazuela have created a Philadelphia-specific menu for the cafe. Heredia said there will also be some popular items from other Mama Juana stores.
Diners can snack on Thai-style fried calamari, eggplant, and oxtail croquettes, or dine on classic burgers, ribeye, and sushi (yes, there’s a cheesesteak roll). Main courses include oxtail fettuccine, cassava stuffing, and roasted pork shoulder. Round out your meal with corn flan, Nutella tacos, and tres leches cake.
Mama Juana will also have a full bar and lounge and will host DJs and live musicians to entertain diners.
“We want our guests to have an experience that allows them to escape their normal daily routine and feel like they’re on vacation and in Punta Cana or somewhere,” Heredia said. “That’s the vision we have for this place.”
Photo provided/Mama Juana Group
Mamajuana Cafe’s menu focuses on Dominican cuisine, but also includes some Caribbean and Asian fusion dishes. Pictured above is the Paella Marinara.
The restaurant group plans to continue expanding across the U.S. Mama Juana Cafe currently has 12 locations, including three in New York, New Jersey and Florida, with another location set to open in Connecticut in the coming weeks.
If the Fishtown store is successful, Heredia said the group will consider expanding into other locations in Philadelphia, possibly in the Center City area.
“We are humbled to visit the place and learn about the culture and the people,” Heredia said.
Mama Juana is open Monday through Thursday from 4pm to 11pm, Friday from 2pm to 2am, and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 2am.
