Gene Leone sold Mama Leone's in 1959 to Restaurant Associates. His book, which is the one referred to above, says he sold it for $2.5 million and included the building and $150,000 worth of shrimp in the sale. (newspaper reports said $10 million at the time). At the time of the sale, Mama Leone's was serving up to 6,000 dinners at night (it seated 1500). Gene wrote the book and claims in the book that the recipes are his mother's.

I am sad to hear that Mama Leones went out of business. We went there in the 70's and 80's when we were in NYC for the International Hair Show. Great times. Loved it.

tish vasquez Wrote:
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> When we were in New York, many years ago, we ate
> at Mama Leone's and loved it. When we were in one
> of the gallaries, we bought a terra cotta statue
> titled, Mama Leone by Antonio Forgione. Can you
> tell me if the artisit is still around?....I know
> the restarant is no longer there. Thanks, Tish
> Vasquez

I have come across a menu from Mamma Leones's that appears to be from the late 40's or early 50's...it does not have a date anywhere to be found. An example of prices..Pasta dishes $3.00, Sirloin Steak $7.25 etc. Is anyone interested in this.

I ate at Mama's in the 70s as a child. I lived in NY all my life--and this was way before it was reinvented as a tourist trap. A cherished memory. Why o why do great things go away in time especially because of greed. I can tell you there are many great bistros--but no Mama Leones

The last time I went to Mama Leones was the day of my bridal shower in 1973, they had to get me out of the way for the day so my soon to be husband took me to NY City. I moved to Florida in 1998 and have always wanted to go to the City to eat at Mama Leones when back in NJ on a visit. The food was something I will always remember and like all good things in life it is now just a memory of the good old days. If I could replicate this eatery I would be rich.

I'm working on my family genealogy and my mom thinks her father worked at Mama leone's as a chef. Are there any former workers or owners that can email me and verify this? His name was Joseph Compos and he might have worked there anytime between 1960-1981.

Wow, I was searching for post about the violinists' who played at Mama Leone's because one of them was my grandfather, Hank Stewart (AKA Hetz Shulman) any info on him playing there would be appreciated...any pictures of him posing with the customers??

John is still running his Newport Mama Leonies and Tonys in Wakefield RI

there is a Son who has many other branches different name tho.

Jerusalemrigmailcom

Mama leone's was a hot spot for a long time but what made it was my great great great aunt who made the place an authentic italian family run restaurant and as far as i know the other with the same name has no connection i have no family that runs that one so it has none of the same my grea great great aunt added to the atmoshpere or the food. i would like to hear from some of the people who visited her restaurant when she was still running it..i love hearing the rave reviews from those who enjoyed it..i know my family still uses some of her recipes i no her spaghetti was to die for its my favorite..

Who owned Mama Leonies?

Enjoyed reading this string of conversations ... my restaurant menu from ML's is not dated but printed on it is: place 12 cent stamp here (to mail and it is a folded poster sized menu). The Veal Parm is $3.50 and the Broiled Sirloin is $6.25. I'm trying to figure out which of my great or grandparents saved this menu from a visit there and when the restaurant was opened. Any help out there?