When I want a cozy, comfort meal there’s only one place to go: Bay Grape Wine Bar on Grand Avenue to sip some wine and eat a cheesy, flavorful meatball sub from MAMA.
MAMA used to deliver the sandwich right into your waiting hands in the wine bar, but now they request you order the $14 meatball sub online, and then walk the four to five steps over to MAMA to pick it up yourself. They’re ready in 15-20 minutes.
On my most recent visit, my friend and I ordered one to split. It’s already cut in half and wrapped up ready to eat upon picking up. But after finishing our halves we looked at each other and promptly ordered a second. I don’t know why we tried to fool ourselves, you’ll want an entire sub to yourself. You won’t find the sub on MAMA’s sit down menu, it’s only available to-go.
376 Grand Ave., Oakland; https://www.baygrapewine.com/
Hours: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday;
12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday
When you eat at the restaurant, the menu offers the crispy pork and beef meatballs as a $10 add-on to the three-course prix fixe meal.
The only day of the week you can’t pair the cheesy sandwich with your glass of wine is Mondays, when Bay Grape is closed.
Read more from the Nosh “Dish of the Week” series
The thick, bursting with flavor sandwich is made with MAMA’s house-baked sandwich roll, and house-made marinara sauce, and covered with melted provolone cheese. It’s the perfect combination. My friend’s only complaint is that she wishes there was more of it — but you can always order another!
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