Mama Roomba - Bakersfield

Unfortunately, the service left something to be desired. Although the staff was friendly, our server suggested that rice and beans would complement the dish, but after I agreed to it, they never brought it out. I later discovered there was a charge for the rice and beans, which would have been fine had I been informed upfront. After the food was served, we didn’t receive any attention from the staff, and it felt like they were eager to close up shop, even though we arrived an hour and a half before closing time. I plan to give this place another shot earlier in the day to see if the service improves.

The food and service were excellent, and the atmosphere was pleasant. However, the music was a bit of a letdown; it was just a radio station, Big FM, with noisy ads that added to the chaos. I really think you could have chosen something better—maybe Caribbean tunes or bistro-style music like the Gipsy Kings, or even some soothing string instrumentals. I'm quite surprised by this. Nonetheless, I still stand by my praise for the fantastic food and service.

The food was absolutely delicious. This restaurant is definitely a must-visit. The staff is fantastic, the atmosphere is wonderful, and the food is simply outstanding.

We started our meal with cassava fries served with mojo ketchup. While the fries themselves could have used a bit more seasoning, they were delicious when dipped in the sauce. I also ordered a mojito, which was tasty, but there was so much mint in it that I felt I had to be careful sipping it, or I might end up with a mouthful of mint leaves. For our main course, we tried Mama’s Latin Fried Chicken with Mango Chile Sauce. It had a nice kick to it, balancing flavor with a heat level that was just on the edge of being too spicy for me, but my husband loved it! We also ordered the Venezuelan Arepas with Cheese. I enjoyed them, but my husband thought they were a bit bland. They came with a green chile sauce that had great flavor but wasn’t very spicy. On their own, the arepas were just okay, but the sauce made them quite tasty! Overall, we rate Mama Rooma’s a 4 out of 5. The atmosphere was pleasant, with classic 80s music playing in the background and abstract art by Dixie Miguez adorning the walls. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, and the food was good.

I always look forward to visiting this restaurant whenever I get the chance; it's such a delight because their food is incredibly flavorful.