Downtown Akron welcomes return of Big Mamma's Burritos under new ownership
Grand opening is a wrap — with plenty more to come — at the rebooted Big Mamma's Burritos on South Main Street in Akron.
A flurry of preparations began May 1 after operators Elizabeth Hernandez and Wil Brown took ownership of the newest location of the Ohio-based chain, which launched here a year ago but closed shop in November.
Brown and Hernandez were at the counter Friday, greeting new customers, not quite six weeks after taking over.
The Downtown Akron Partnership and a representative from Mayor Dan Horrigan's office helped with the official opening Friday, Hernandez said.
The restaurant features burritos assembled in under a minute, with a host of protein options, including bacon and a vegan chorizo.
The 357 S. Main St. location previously housed a Brubaker’s Pub, a local eatery whose downtown location closed in 2020 due to the pandemic and downtown construction.
Cookies, pizza and lots of support
Hernandez said neighboring downtown businesses have been supportive, with Insomnia Cookies bringing 50 cookies for new Big Mama's customers and DaVinci's Pizza making a free delivery.
"What we really didn't expect is how this community is so, so supportive," she said. "We had business owners and future customers come in and ask about what what going on."
Like other food establishments downtown, Hernandez said parking was an initial concern. But she anticipates downtown employees will provide much of the customer base.
She said foot traffic downtown was solid Friday. A couple of blocks down the road, employees at Cleveland Clinic Akron General were excited about the new restaurant option.
"We received a phone call (today) from the Akron General hospital nursing staff wanting to make sure we were open," Hernandez said.
'A nervous excitement happening'
Hernandez said she and Brown started looking into business opportunities and quickly landed on Big Mamma's.
The previous Big Mamma's owner "wanted to transition into something else," she said, and the eatery closed in November just six months after opening. "We came across it and we were able to buy into the franchise."
That was May 1. Training in Columbus and a rush to get the location ready to open followed.
"There is definitely a nervous excitement happening," she said.
Stepping up to the Big Mamma 5-pound burrito challenge
Hernandez is looking forward to a brave customer taking the Big Mamma's Mega Mamma Challenge, featuring a 5-pound burrito, as early as next week. Contestants apply online for a chance to devour the burrito in a one-hour eating frenzy.
Hernandez said a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Inc. fraternity that Brown belongs to has pledged to try his luck.
"He believes he is going to accept the challenge, and he is confident he will win the challenge," she said. "...They've had people finish in in a matter of minutes."
Winners receive a refund on the massive burrito, along with a T-shirt and a spot on the Wall of Champions.
Family-owned and -operated
Big Mamma's features menu options from the $5.95 baby burrito to the $8.50 build your own burrito with six items and the $25 challenge burrito.
Sides include chips with a choice of dip and tater tots with queso.
Hernandez said some family will help her and Brown to operate the restaurant. She anticipates hiring additional help as needed.
"If you walk in here, you will see either myself or Wil," she said. "... It will be mostly a family business."
Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: New owners eager to relaunch Big Mamma's Burritos in downtown Akron
