Fill your need for delicious Italian comfort food right now at Mama Julianne’s

By Patricia Nugent

For most Italians, Sunday is synonymous with two things: food and family. Growing up in a big, fun-loving Italian family, Julianne Russo Kelty is no different.

“My favorite memories are of my mom, Lucy, cooking Sunday dinners,” she recalls. “Family and friends would crowd around the table and enjoy her authentic dishes. Today, I’m the same way. I love to feed people.”

Inheriting her mother’s generations-old recipes for Sicilian dishes, Julianne decided to open her own restaurant—Mama Julianne’s—in Strongsville 12 years ago.

“This is my dream, my way of rekindling all the traditions of fresh, from-scratch cooking,” she says. “And to be able to share my success with family is part of that dream, too.”

From the beginning, her three sons, Vincent, Robert and David, who are now grown, were there to help.

Today, David is her partner, Robert is general manager and Vincent helps out when he can, as he’s a pharmacist.

During quarantine, the eatery has been crazy busy with takeout and delivery, and the family is overwhelmingly grateful to the community that’s supported them.

The Secret Sauce
From specialty pizzas to stromboli and calzones, pastas, subs and salads and dinner entrees, the menu favors the classics.

The Mama Julianne’s red sauce is fairly famous on the West Side. Although David will not divulge the ingredients, he says the process includes slow cooking it from a rich tomato paste base.

It actually lives up to the hype…basil-forward, slightly sweet perfection. All ingredients are fresh.

The cheese and dough are top-shelf, too…hand-shredded 100% provolone and pillow-y dough that strikes a just-right Goldilocks balance between thin and thick styles.

“With 13 pizzas on our specialty menu, we offer something for everyone, including Pierogi style, Philly Cheese Steak, Buffalo Chicken, Sicilian, Veggie White Garlic and Seafood Supreme,” says David, who graduated from the Food Business Management Program at The Ohio State University last year.

If you’re really hungry, try the Stuffed Pizza, featuring two layers of dough stuffed with sauce and three items. It’s topped with even more sauce and cheese.

David also mentions that one of their top sellers is the Mama Julianne’s signature Broasted Chicken. “We prepare it in a pressure cooker to seal in the juices,” he says.

Five-Star Reviews
In 2018, Mama Julianne’s won the coveted People’s Choice Runner Up Award during the Cleveland Pizza Fest.

And judging by the current enthusiastic reviews, the folks in Strongsville have cast their own vote.

“Nice flavorful sauce under a blanket of gooey cheese topped with fresh veggies and spicy pepperoni…what more could you ask for?” says Peggy U. of Strongsville.

Pam P., also of Strongsville, says, “Can’t have much fun while being in isolation. However, just ate some of their pizza and it was so good it was like a party in my mouth.”

Personal favorite dishes within the family include Stromboli, which David reports will drive you to gluttony (but in a good way); Hot Stuffed Banana Peppers, a zingy app favored by Robert; and the super-fresh, made-to-order salads that Julianne creates.

Catering for Grad Parties and Beyond

With Indians games starting soon and a slew of graduation and summer family reunions on the docket, people are turning to Mama Julianne’s for catering.

Enjoy trays of specialties such as Lasagna, Sausage and Peppers, Eggplant Parmesan, Chicken Marsala and Chicken Parmesan.

Mama Julianne’s is located at the corner of Albion Road and 10913 Prospect Road, in Strongsville. Call 440-238-2028 for more information. You can order delivery or takeout online. Check out their menus and coupons at MamaJuliannes.com.