Photo: Dave Cook at Eating In Translation
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The longtime home of Mama’s Pizza at 941 Amsterdam Avenue, at the corner of West 106th Street, will soon become home to a new restaurant—one that has sparked both enthusiasm and controversy since announcing its plans to open near Columbia University.
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The location, which Mama’s Pizza vacated last year after over 20 years at the address, will mark Ayat’s latest expansion in New York City. Owner Abdul Elenani first announced the Upper West Side location in August 2025, though he initially kept the exact address undisclosed, citing concerns about harassment.Per a recent Instagram post, this will be Ayat’s final NYC location. “New York is where Ayat was born,” the post reads. “But after years of fighting through endless obstacles that make it harder and harder for small businesses to survive we have made a decision. No more new Ayat locations in New York.” In a more recent post, the restaurant wrote that the UWS location will be “opening very soon,” though an exact date has not been shared.
A Legendary Space Changes Hands
For more than two decades, 941 Amsterdam Avenue served as the home of Mama’s Pizza, a beloved slice shop that represented what longtime residents call “old-school Upper West Side” culture. The business, founded by Marianinna—known simply as Mama—operated in various locations in the neighborhood dating back to the 1960s, when it was called Prima Pizza near the old Metro Theater.
When Mama’s Pizza closed last spring, Frank Tuttolomondo, Mama’s grandson, cited needed repairs to the space, including cosmetic issues with the ceiling and basement, as well as utility problems. “We wouldn’t be able to do business and make the best pizza,” he said at the time. The family had hoped to relocate nearby but has not yet announced a new location.
Mama passed away at 101 in 2021, but her legacy continues through both the original Mama’s Pizza and Frank’s own venture, Mama’s Too, located at 2750 Broadway. Mama’s Too was named to The New York Times list of “The 22 Best Pizza Places in New York Right Now.”
Ayat – Hinds Hall
Ayat has confirmed that its Upper West Side location will carry a specific name: Ayat – Hinds Hall. In an Instagram post, the restaurant explained the significance of the name, which references both the five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was killed in Gaza, and the temporary renaming of Columbia’s Hamilton Hall by pro-Palestinian student activists during campus protests.
Owner Abdul Elenani told Patch last year that he chose the Upper West Side location specifically because of Columbia’s significant pro-Palestinian activism, believing it would be a great location for the restaurant. However, he also acknowledged that the restaurant’s political positioning has led to challenges, including what he described as harassment and “a bunch of 311 city complaints” from groups who oppose the restaurant’s message.
Multiple Ayat locations have faced waves of negative online reviews following their openings, according to Eater.
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The Menu
Despite the political controversy surrounding the restaurant, Ayat’s menu focuses squarely on traditional Palestinian cuisine. Described as “Palestinian soul food,” the restaurant offers an extensive selection of dishes that highlight the region’s culinary traditions.
The menu includes cold appetizers like hummus, baba ghanoush, and labneh, alongside hot starters such as falafel, stuffed grape leaves, and kibbeh. Salad options feature fattoush and tabbouleh, while the wood-fired oven produces Middle Eastern flatbreads including zaatar and cheese manaqish, as well as fusion items like Pizzawarma.
Main courses showcase Palestinian classics such as musakhan, fattat jaj, and lamb ouzi. The grill section offers kebabs, lamb chops, and seafood options including branzino and shrimp. For casual dining, there are laffa wraps and pressed shawarma sandwiches with various fillings. Family-style platters accommodate larger groups with options like mixed grills, maklouba, and vegetarian spreads.
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