Mother and Bun – An Interview with Mama’s Boy

Founder of Mama’s Boy, Tony gives us the low-down on his down-low Surry Hills sandwich business.

CMW: Firstly, how does your ‘underground’ sub delivery service work?

MB: Mama’s Boy delivers subs (‘heroes’) within Surry Hills at lunchtime (noon-1:30p.m) on two days per week. We post what hero is on the menu that day on Facebook and Twitter and customers order via text message. Orders are taken up until they have sold out, which is usually around noon.

CMW: What inspired you to get Mama’s going?

MB: I thought it would be a cool idea. When I was in America I realised how food delivery was big there and thought it would be great to have that in Sydney. Particularly in Surry Hills, as I’ve lived and worked there for years and it’s a creative hub. I wasn’t really working at the time and just delivered heroes to a few people one day. It spread through Facebook and Twitter- it was all very underground.

CMW: Where did you get the name ‘Mama’s Boy’ from? Just catchy or is there some truth behind it?

MB: I was chatting to a friend how I wanted to deliver sandwiches at lunchtime and we brainstormed some names. We came up with about ten, but they didn’t really work.

Then I thought about how my parents are Italian and I look forward to going home for my mum’s food- she always puts on a big spread. We joked how we are ‘mama’s boys’ and that’s where the name came from. It worked the best and is also a bit personable.

CMW: Why subs specifically and not sandwiches or burgers etc.?

MB: Subs are practical. Also, I was inspired by how Americans have different names for subs, like ‘hoagies’ and ‘heroes’. So I call Mama’s Boy’s subs ‘heroes’. There are about five different heroes on the menu that we alternate between, such as the ‘meatball hero’.

CMW: You’re not trying to rival Subway are you!?

MB: No, not at all. They’re a franchise and we’re doing something very different.

CMW: Where are the heroes made?

MB: In a couple of places within Surry Hills. But it’s all top secret.

CMW: How do customers find out about Mama’s Boy?

MB: They become fans of us on Facebook and Twitter. And through word of mouth.

CMW: Do you mainly deliver to residences or businesses in Surry Hills?

MB: Mostly businesses and offices, as well as some apartments.

CMW: Any awkward or funny delivery stories?

MB: Some of the delivery staff work in the area at other places. So customers get confused when they deliver the heroes and are like “don’t you work at that bar nearby!?”

CMW: What is the most popular hero?

MB: It’s a tie between chicken schnitzel and meatball.

CMW: What’s your personal favourite handheld/breaded meal- sub, sandwich, burger, wrap, kebab…?

MB: I do like a late-night kebab. Also, Olympic Yeeros on Oxford Street makes a good burger at 3a.m. They make a fresh mince patty with melted cheese on a sugary bun. And it’s a bit cleaner than getting a kebab at that time of the morning.

But, I could put anything my mum or grandma makes that is marinated, minced or crumbed in between bread and eat it!

CMW: Since it is currently Burger Month at Cook My Way, what is your most memorable burger experience or favourite burger?

MB: The best burger experience I’ve had was in New York. It wasn’t so much a burger; rather a huge sandwich that had three different types of pork inside it. It was from Porchetta in the East Village. This place also inspired me to start making sandwiches here, which are a little more deluxe than your usual.

CMW: What’s next for Mama’s Boy? Any chance that you will team up with one of the 24-hour alcohol delivery services like The Beer Baron in the future?

MB: Hopefully, if I can get something off the ground with them. I want to try expand out of Surry Hills to the CBD and surrounding areas such as Darlinghurst, Paddington, Redfern and the Eastern suburbs, if there is interest. Also, I’d like to start a food van and some catering stuff. Breakfast delivery is on the cards too, like bacon and egg rolls on weekends. Hangover food delivered to your door- what could be better!?

For more information on Mama’s Boy visit:
facebook.com/eatmamasboy
twitter.com/eatmamasboy

By Jenna Chaitowitz