Published November 19, 2024 | Updated July 11, 2026

Omaha has a number of old school, beloved pizza joints. Among them are La Casa and Orsi’s. Another one, Mama’s Pizza, was actually born on the other side of the river.

Mama’s was started by Lou Pantano and Yano Falcone after they converted the old Riviera Club in Council Bluffs into Mama’s Pizza and Steakhouse in 1974. Located at 901 South Omaha Bridge Road, the restaurant quickly became known for its pizza. After the building burned down in 1982, it doesn’t appear that a new Mama’s Pizza was ever rebuilt in Iowa.

While the original restaurant had a more extensive menu, the new location in Omaha focused primarily on pizza using the same recipes as the original location. All of its sauces were homemade, as was its Italian sausage, and the meat was ground on-site.

On Saddle Creek, it became just as well known for the red shag carpet on its walls as it did for the pizza. Of course, the game room also proved to be a big hit with kids and kids at heart. The large restaurant with seating for 125 was equipped to accommodate parties and post-game beers. In a food review in the Omaha World-Herald in 1976, it was said to be equal to or better than any pizza shortly after it opened. The owners attempted to expand to Lake Manawa after that.

Despite the publicity, the business was struggling. Seeing the potential, Jack and Rose Harwood bought it in 1980 and put all of that space to use when they sponsored 15 softball teams in 1983 alone. They calculated that their business doubled during the softball season due to the influx of players, coaches, and fans that showed up afterward to celebrate or commiserate. The sponsorships were key to the Harwoods’ business. At one point, Jack said that even during an excessively rainy spring one year, he didn’t lose any money due to the rainouts as the players-turned-customers showed up anyway.

By the time Jack and Rose retired in 2000, they turned it over to their children, including son Jeff Harwood, who served as owner and operator. During that time, the restaurant expanded to four locations across the metro area. In 2025, it transitioned to being employee-owned.

Its onion rings and ranch are nearly as popular as its cheese and topping-heavy pizza supported by a crisp, sturdy crust, recognition that’s earned it accolades including Best of the Big O Pizza Parlor by The Reader and Best of Omaha by Omaha Magazine. While the shag carpet is no more on Saddle Creek and it largely resembles a sports bar, it along with the other locations remains a popular place for events from birthday parties to team outings.

Born in Council Bluffs, Mama’s has made Omaha its home over the last 50 years. During that time, it’s become one of the city’s favorites.

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