Mama Yoshi Mini Mart

- 17-11 Grove St, Queens, NY 11385

The culinary landscape of New York City is constantly evolving, blending global flavors with local hustle. Tucked into the vibrant, border-defying neighborhood of Ridgewood, Queens, you’ll find a gem that perfectly encapsulates this fusion: Mama Yoshi Mini Mart. More than just a restaurant, this establishment operates as a contemporary take on the beloved Japanese konbini (convenience store), offering a unique and deeply satisfying mashup of Japanese and American quick-service comfort food, alongside a selection of essential Asian pantry items.

For locals, Mama Yoshi Mini Mart is a necessary destination for quick, high-quality meals that are anything but typical. It’s the spot for a craving that a standard deli or bodega simply cannot satisfy. The atmosphere is deliberately Casual, focusing on the food and the speed of service, which is ideal for the busy New Yorker. It has quickly become Popular for its lunch and dinner offerings, and its setup is particularly excellent for Solo dining, whether you're grabbing a quick lunch break meal or settling in for a comfortable, fast dinner. It successfully bridges the gap between a sit-down meal and a fast-food counter, providing delicious, substantial, and innovative dishes that have earned it a loyal following among Locals in the Queens and bordering Bushwick, Brooklyn area. The blending of Japanese staples like katsu and onigiri with American breakfast tradition, particularly in their highly-praised breakfast burrito, is what sets Mama Yoshi Mini Mart apart as a truly unique and essential local food hub.

Location and Accessibility

Mama Yoshi Mini Mart is conveniently located at 17-11 Grove St, Queens, NY 11385, USA, right in the heart of Ridgewood. This neighborhood location positions the restaurant perfectly to serve both the residential community of Queens and the nearby commuter routes that cross the Queens/Brooklyn border. The surrounding area is lively and walkable, making it a natural stop for errands and daily meals.

Accessibility for New Yorkers is key, and the Mini Mart’s location offers easy access via MTA public transportation. The closest major subway hub is the Myrtle–Wyckoff Avenues station, which is served by the L and M subway lines. This station is a quick walk or bus ride from the restaurant, connecting it seamlessly to Downtown Manhattan and other parts of Brooklyn. For bus riders, the location is extremely well-served. The B38 bus line has stops nearby, such as Seneca Avenue and Grove Street, providing direct transit along crucial local corridors. This blend of subway and bus access ensures that while the spot is a neighborhood favorite, it is easily reachable for those coming from outside the immediate Ridgewood community as well. The option for Outdoor seating also enhances accessibility, allowing patrons to enjoy their meal in a relaxed setting right on the street corner.

Services Offered

• Multiple Service Options: The restaurant caters to all dining preferences with Delivery, Takeout, and Dine-in options. The availability of Outdoor seating is a highlight, especially in pleasant weather.
• Full-Day Dining: Offers multiple Dining options including Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner, with a streamlined Counter service model for efficiency.
• Japanese Grocery Store: In addition to the restaurant service, the establishment functions as a Japanese mini mart, selling unique snacks, drinks, and essential Asian pantry ingredients—a true konbini experience.
• Vegetarian Offerings: Provides excellent Vegetarian options, most notably their signature Cauliflower Katsu Sandwich and Spicy Cauliflower Katsu Sandwich ($14.50 each), ensuring their most popular dishes are widely accessible.
• Payment Convenience: Accepts modern payment methods, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay), for fast and easy transactions.
• Beverages: Serves Coffee in addition to a wide selection of bottled drinks and specialty Asian beverages from the mini mart section.

Features / Highlights

• Signature Katsu Sandwiches: The headline attraction is the massive, crunchy katsu sandwiches. Options include the classic Chicken Katsu Sandwich ($14.50) and the innovative Cauliflower Katsu Sandwich ($14.50), along with their spicy variations, all known for their significant portion sizes and intense crunch.
• Konbini Concept: The fusion of a high-quality fast-food kitchen with a Japanese convenience store creates a unique, casual atmosphere and offers a wider product range than a standard restaurant.
• Critically Acclaimed Breakfast Burrito: Customers rave about the breakfast burrito, specifically noting the quantity and perfect, fluffy texture of the eggs, making it a powerful contender in the competitive NYC breakfast scene.
• Comfort Food & Quick Bites: The menu is built around satisfying Comfort food and Quick bite dishes, perfect for New Yorkers who prioritize flavor without sacrificing speed. Other potential options include onigiri, musubi, and Spam grilled cheese.
• Local Favorite: The restaurant is known for drawing a loyal crowd of Locals from the immediate Ridgewood area, signifying its integration into and appreciation by the neighborhood community.
• Diverse Menu Offerings: The menu extends beyond sandwiches to include Small plates and possible bowls or curry dishes, providing variety for repeat customers.

Contact Information

Address: 17-11 Grove St, Queens, NY 11385, USA

Phone: (917) 943-5011

Mobile Phone: +1 917-943-5011

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing a dish at Mama Yoshi Mini Mart means deciding which of their expertly executed comfort food fusion items you’re in the mood for. For New Yorkers looking for a truly satisfying, iconic meal from this establishment, there are two distinct, non-negotiable choices: the Spicy Chicken Katsu Sandwich and the Breakfast Burrito.

If you are arriving for lunch or dinner, the Spicy Chicken Katsu Sandwich ($14.50) is the headline act and the item that has brought this spot critical acclaim. What is worth choosing here is the complete experience: a colossal, extra-crunchy chicken cutlet fried in the Japanese katsu style, topped with spicy house mayo, pickles, and pickled red onions, all served on a soft potato bun. The cutlet is known for being large, offering exceptional value and a satisfying textural contrast between the intensely crispy exterior and the tender chicken inside. For those who prefer a meatless option, the Spicy Cauliflower Katsu Sandwich offers the exact same crunch and flavor profile, making it an equally compelling choice. The "spicy" preparation, often featuring a dry rub, adds a necessary depth and kick that elevates it above standard fried chicken sandwiches found elsewhere.

For the morning crowd, or for brunch, the Breakfast Burrito stands out as a superior take on a popular item. This is no ordinary breakfast wrap; it typically features an exceptional quantity of fluffy, perfectly cooked scrambled eggs, spam, hash browns, and cheese. Customers consistently highlight the quality of the eggs—fluffy and pillowy—and the consistent flavor that keeps them coming back. While some may suggest adding a touch of their provided hot sauce or condiments for balance, the base construction of this burrito is already famous for its richness and substantial portion size. Since their menu is built for the Quick bite and is highly sought after by those who enjoy Solo dining, pairing either the Katsu Sandwich (for lunch/dinner) or the Breakfast Burrito (for breakfast/brunch) with one of their unique, hard-to-find Japanese soft drinks or a cup of their morning Coffee, and perhaps grabbing an onigiri for later, represents the ultimate Mama Yoshi Mini Mart experience for a local New Yorker.

Mama Yoshi Mini Mart

17-11 Grove St, Queens, NY 11385, USA