Mama’s Bakery & Deli, a longtime fixture in North Park, is preparing to open its new location at the base of the One Mississippi apartment complex at 2141 El Cajon Blvd.
The move comes after more than 20 years of operating out of a small Craftsman cottage at 4237 Alabama Street. Initially projected to open in Spring 2023, the relocation is now scheduled for completion by the end of July 2025, according to San Diego Magazine. As previously reported by What Now San Diego, the family-owned Lebanese restaurant has been working on the transition for some time, including submitting design plans and undergoing city review. The updated restaurant will debut under a new name, Mama’s Mediterranean Kitchen, a strategic rebranding meant to reflect better the broader scope of its menu beyond baked goods.
Mama’s Bakery first opened its doors in 1988 and has since built a strong local following with its signature Lebanese dishes, including shawarma, falafel, hummus, grape leaves, and manaeesh. Over the decades, the owners have raised a family, expanded their catering services, and remained deeply embedded in the North Park community. With continued neighborhood growth and increased demand, the owners saw the opportunity to modernize and expand as a necessary next step.
The new space features a larger kitchen and dining area, along with the introduction of new menu items. While the core offerings will remain, the restaurant plans to incorporate more traditional Lebanese recipes, additional vegan and vegetarian options, an expanded salad section, and a wider array of house-made desserts. The business owners are also pursuing a beer and wine license to enhance the overall dining experience.
Catering services and special event offerings are expected to grow alongside the restaurant’s footprint. Although the space and name are changing, the owners intend to preserve the warm, welcoming atmosphere that has defined Mama’s Bakery for decades. Mama’s Mediterranean Kitchen is expected to open to the public by the end of July, continuing a legacy that began more than 35 years ago, now with room to grow.
