Cheapskating: “Free” mimosa at Mama’s Café
Photo: Tuyet Nguyen
Local comic Greg Baumhauer has a great joke about Mama’s Café, the no-frills, alcohol-serving Colfax diner that’s less of an eatery unto itself and more of a waiting room for the far more popular Pete’s Kitchen across the street from it. A hungover Baumhauer found himself at Mama’s one morning and, upon taking a single bite of eggs Benedict, violently sharted. After awkwardly waddling to Mama’s bathroom to clean himself, the comedian removed his soiled skivvies and desperately searched for a place to deposit them. Behind the toilet he found a hole in the wall, the perfect place in which to stash a pair of freshly Pollocked tighty-whities. Baumhauer then leaned down and tried to stuff his defiled underpants into the hole—only to find there was already another pair in there.
It may seem unforgiving to rehash such an instance of explosive pants-shittery when it reflects poorly on a hard-working local restaurant. But as any Denverite who has dined at Mama’s can attest, Baumhauer’s tale is not so farfetched. Despite the danger, though, some people do eat there regularly and even find Mama’s signature pies to be absolutely delicious. Regardless, everyone can agree it’s not the type of frou-frou eatery that immediately conjures images of a fruity, urbane drink—like, say, the mimosa.
And yet just a few days ago, a giant banner appeared on the outside of Mama’s touting a “Free Mimosa” for any Colfax sojourner who inquires within. Turns out, it’s not that a great a deal: Basically, if you purchase a Mimosa for $4.99, Mama’s has you covered for a second one. And the offer isn’t even evergreen: The restaurant cuts the deal off at 10 p.m. So the next time it’s 9 at night and you find yourself with a hankering for a fizzy cocktail of champagne, orange juice, and self-loathing, don’t rush to some classy LoDo watering hole or, God forbid, wait until brunch the next day. Head to Mama’s for your mimosa instead. Second one’s on her. But bring a spare pair of underwear with you, just in case.
