The Bottom Line
Located on the East Wharf of Lake Hefner, the former location of Bahama Breeze, Mama Roja is a very good choice for Mexican food in Oklahoma City, at non-peak times a comfortable dining experience with capable service and a splendid view, up there with some of the best in the metro.
Pros
- Excellent lakeside view
- Comfortable semi-enclosed patio area
- Quality, flavorful Mexican food
- Good, attentive service
Cons
- More expensive than most Mexican eateries
- Expect a wait and possibly a lesser seating option on weekend evenings
Description
- Location: 9219 Lake Hefner Pkwy
Oklahoma City, OK 73120 - Directions: At the East Wharf of Lake Hefner, just off the Lake Hefner Parkway at Britton Road.
- Phone: (405) 302-6262
Guide Review - Mama Roja
Mama Roja, a Mexican restaurant located on Lake Hefner's East Wharf, is no unlike some other establishments along the metro's picturesque northwest lake, including the defunct Bahama Breeze that was once house in the same building. During those peak hours on weekend nights, it's often difficult to get a table without a lengthy wait and occasionally difficult to get the same food and service quality you might get at other times.
So that's why I made my way up there late on a weekday afternoon, intent on avoiding the crowds and getting a true picture of what Mama Roja has to offer. What I found was quite impressive.
Seated in the patio room, remodeled from the Bahama Breeze days, I could feel just a hint of the lake breeze, enough for comfort on a warm day but not so much in the semi-enclosed area to bother the meal. I enjoyed the wonderful view as I sampled the salsas, one a warmer tomato variety that had a sweet, almost pizza sauce taste and the other a cool, spicy standard. Also, if you like guacamole, try the tomatillo salsa.
After my attentive waiter took my order, I enjoyed a combo platter, and there wasn't an area of the meal that disappointed. Seasoned beef outshined the fajita chicken for me, and I found the refried beans to be far more flavorful than the re-heated, bland offering you'll get at many Mexican restaurants.
Compared to other Mexican restaurants, though, Mama Roja is expensive. With a bowl of queso and a couple of mixed drinks, a total bill for two will go beyond what you'd expect from many casual dining spots. But for such an amazing view and quality food, it's an amount work paying, at least when the place isn't jam-packed.
So that's why I made my way up there late on a weekday afternoon, intent on avoiding the crowds and getting a true picture of what Mama Roja has to offer. What I found was quite impressive.
Seated in the patio room, remodeled from the Bahama Breeze days, I could feel just a hint of the lake breeze, enough for comfort on a warm day but not so much in the semi-enclosed area to bother the meal. I enjoyed the wonderful view as I sampled the salsas, one a warmer tomato variety that had a sweet, almost pizza sauce taste and the other a cool, spicy standard. Also, if you like guacamole, try the tomatillo salsa.
After my attentive waiter took my order, I enjoyed a combo platter, and there wasn't an area of the meal that disappointed. Seasoned beef outshined the fajita chicken for me, and I found the refried beans to be far more flavorful than the re-heated, bland offering you'll get at many Mexican restaurants.
Compared to other Mexican restaurants, though, Mama Roja is expensive. With a bowl of queso and a couple of mixed drinks, a total bill for two will go beyond what you'd expect from many casual dining spots. But for such an amazing view and quality food, it's an amount work paying, at least when the place isn't jam-packed.
