2026 Surf City USA® Foodie Awards Best Brunch Winner: Mama's on 39
The reigning champ of the Surf City USA® Foodie Award for Best Brunch has secured the top slot for the second time. First crowned in 2025, Mama’s on 39 is a local gem. Homemade biscuits? Check. Great deals? Absolutely. Here, you’ll find some of the best morning comfort food in town. Expect generous portions, bottomless drinks, and some fun seasonal surprises!
5 Brunch Dishes You Need to Try
There’s a lot on the menu at this Beach Boulevard comfort food hot spot. We’re helping you narrow it down with five favorites — and one honorable mention — that will satisfy any craving, sweet or savory.
Breakfast Flatbread
Pizza for breakfast? Don’t write it off just yet. Instead of a red pizza sauce, Mama’s on 39 subs in a savory country gravy slathered on the hand-rolled flatbread crust. Your choice of smoked bacon chorizo, or sausage, cherry tomatoes, and country potatoes top a generous layer of mozzarella. The finishing touch is two eggs any style (over-easy is an excellent option if you love the idea of a warm, runny yolk to tie together all the salty richness of meats and gravy).
Mama Maria’s Famous Chorizo Scramble
A little decadent, a little spicy, and a whole lot of flavor — this scramble has it all. Gourmet spicy chorizo is tossed with scrambled eggs, green peppers, onion, and tomatoes and topped with a sprinkling of mozzarella cheese. Several slices of avocado resting on the scramble adds a creamy bite to the seasoned plate. And of course, brunch isn’t complete without a signature bacon biscuit served on the side.
Loaded Biscuit Skillet
Speaking of biscuits: This skillet is the perfect way to get your fill of this fan-favorite dish from Mama’s on 39. It’s the definition of cozy comfort food with three brunch staples packed into one cast iron bowl. First, three savory golden bacon biscuits are slathered with country gravy. A layer of crispy fried chicken follows, and the dish is finished with two eggs (scrambled is great) and shredded cheddar cheese. More chopped bacon is the perfect garnish to this indulgent dish.
French Toast
Does breakfast + dessert = brunch? We think yes. This sliced brioche has a crisp, eggy crust, but it wouldn’t be Mama’s on 39 if it stopped there. Sliced fresh strawberries and blueberries add some brightness to the plate, and you can add extras like sliced bananas, candied pecans, Nutella, chocolate chips, and even bacon. Don’t forget finishing touch, a scoop of Thrifty ice cream in a classic flat-bottom cake cone (syrup optional).
Fried Chicken & Waffles
A brunch classic done up Mama’s style is a must-try. The buttermilk-marinated chicken is crispy on the outside but juicy and tender inside, serving as a great complement to the soft, fluffy waffle. It comes with country gravy or syrup, offering sweet and savory options for enjoying a signature dish.
Honorable Mention: Lori’s Monte Cristo
The deep-fried concoction of ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese is served on a sweet brioche bread that goes well with the slathering of raspberry jam. This one has limited availability each day, so if you arrive early enough to snag one, consider yourself lucky.
5 Drinks to Order
There’s more to cheers to here than just bubbles and Bloody Marys (although those are two of the top choices). From classics to mocktails, there’s a sip for every occasion. Bottom’s up!
Bloody Mary
Visit on the weekend for the best deal on the signature breakfast cocktail. It’s only $10 for an Absolut Bloody Mary on Saturday or Sunday. You can also make it “Mama Size” to get a 32-ounce behemoth drink for $34.99.
Bottomless Mamosa
This drink option comes with a warning: No chugging allowed. Sip on this bubbly concoction of fresh OJ and sparkling wine, or opt for cranberry or POG juice for a more tropical twist. The bottomless option is available seven days a week until 3 p.m.
Seasonal Cocktail
While you can always find an old favorite on the drink menu, Mama’s on 39 likes to keep us on our toes with seasonal sippers available for a limited time. This Valentine’s Day, the Sweetheart Spritz was a fizzy delight with vodka, blueberry, pomegranate, and lemon flavors mixed with Champagne, while last fall introduced the Dunkin’ Pumpkin Chai Martini topped with a foam cold brew.
Forget Me Not Mocktail
Mama’s also has great non-alcoholic options. The colorful Forget Me Not is a fruity take on a mule, featuring hibiscus ginger beer, pineapple juice, elderflower, lime juice, and muddled mint. (But if you prefer something less sweet, try the Detox Queen. A little tart, this drink is also ginger-beer based but borrows a flavor profile from the lemon and ginger cleanse with a touch of honey, thyme, and cayenne.)
Ice Cream Shake
Some may argue this is dessert, but for those who like to sip on something sweet with their meal, don’t skip the shake. Made with Thrifty’s ice cream, these come in classic blends like cookies and cream as well as seasonal flavors. If you want a little kick, try an option like the banana cream milkshake, which infuses rum into the creamy treat to create a treat that’s like a boozy banana cream pudding.
Bonus Tip: Don’t forget to wear your pajamas on Sunday for Mama’s popular PJ brunch. If you dine before 10 a.m., you’ll get 20 percent off your meal!
Mama’s Comfort Food & Cocktails, 21022 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
