Why Should I Visit Mama’s Java Café?
I recently moved to Tennessee with my family and found a great little café in the Nolensville area called Mama’s Java. I quickly became obsessed. What is Mama’s Java Café, and should you stop in?
Mama’s Java Café is a café and roastery in Nolensville that’s home to over 40 types of coffee flavors and blends. You can stop by for a filling breakfast or a tasty lunch and even order online.
I had the fortune of sitting down with the owner and staff of Mama’s Java Café to get some unique insights into the history of the establishment and its current goals. I’m excited to share that information with you as well as plenty more!
What Is Mama’s Java Café? What Is the Café’s History?
Let’s start by talking about Mama’s Java Café, including its history.
Mama’s Java Café is a concept that started when the founder, Melissa Hall, was still living in Washington state. She was unhappy with the quality of the coffee in that state and wanted to drink better-tasting java.
After moving to the great state of Tennessee, Melissa decided to finally open her own coffee shop.
So why the name Mama’s Java, I’m sure you’re asking? It’s not quite as cut and dried as it may seem.
Melissa says that the Mama in Mama’s Java is technically an acronym that stands for the first letter of each of her family members’ names: Mark, Anthony, Melissa, Alexis, Ashton, and Alec.
When I talked to Melissa, she said the names just so happened to conveniently spell out the word mama.
Melissa prides herself on making the muffins and scones sold at Mama’s Java in-house.
She told me that she follows a beloved family recipe for the muffins that her mother created. Melissa’s mom even steps in and bakes the muffins onsite sometimes!
The café’s roll-ups are very popular as well, as they utilize fresh, local ingredients. Plus, there are even gluten-free options available!
The MJ Roasting part of Mama’s Java is Melissa’s husband Mark’s responsibility.
Mark explained to me that when roasting coffee beans, his roasting machine takes the outside shaft of the bean off and bends it into a collection cannon. The bean shafts are later used for other purposes.
This roasting method extracts the bitterest parts of the coffee bean which ensures the coffee is smooth and tastes delicious.
Mark also mentioned that his roasting machine constantly suspends the coffee beans in the air, sort of like the way that a popcorn machine makes popcorn.
Unlike some roasters, Mark’s roasting machine will consistently and evenly heat the coffee beans from all sides. The beans never make contact with the hot side of the drum, so they’re not burnt and bitter.
Mark likens drinking the coffee he brews to sampling wine. You get all the nuanced flavor notes thanks to the roasting machine!
What’s on the Menu at Mama’s Java Café?
Your interest is certainly piqued! If you stop by Mama’s Java Café, what will you find on the menu? The better question is what won’t you find?
Here’s an overview of the entire menu.
Coffee
The starring beverage on the list is undoubtedly coffee!
Mama’s Java has 40 unique types of coffee that encompass all sorts of flavors, blends, and origins. Whatever you like, there should be something on the menu for you.
Mark told me that even people who usually don’t drink coffee tend to enjoy the java from MJ Roasters because it’s so fresh, smooth, and flavorful.
Every week, Mama’s Java has chocolate whiskey Wednesdays and southern pecan Saturdays. Those are two great days to try some truly unique-tasting coffee! The rest of the coffee menu rotates.
Coffee costs $2.45 to $2.85 a cup.
Other Drinks
Are you in the mood for a beverage that isn’t coffee? Mama’s Java has plenty of both hot and cold drink offerings on the menu, including:
- Americano ($2.75 to $3.45)
- Cappuccino ($2.75 to $3.95)
- Caramel macchiato ($4.25 to $5.25)
- Chai tea latte ($3.95 to $4.95)
- Espresso ($1.75 to $3.25)
- Fruit tea ($3.09 to $4.59)
- Hot chocolate ($2.75 to $3.55)
- Hot tea ($1.95 to $2.45)
- Iced tea ($2.45 to $3.65)
- Iced coffee ($2.75 to $3.95)
- Latte ($3.25 to $4.25)
- Mocha ($3.75 to $4.75)
- White mocha ($4 to $5)
- Milk ($1.75 to $2.10)
- Chocolate milk ($1.65 to $2.25)
- Simply Orange 100 percent orange juice ($2.79)
- Simply 100 percent apple juice ($2.79)
- Organic juice box ($1)
- Coconut water ($2.79)
- Frappe ($4.25 to $4.75)
- Smoothie ($4.59)
- Soda ($1.89)
- Bottled water ($1.89)
- Vitamin water ($2.09)
- Iced pomegranate organic green tea ($2.49 to $3.49)
- Matcha green smoothie ($6.89 for 20 ounces)
- Matcha green tea chai frappe ($4.75 to $5.25)
- Matcha green tea latte ($3.95 to $4.95)
- Indian hot chocolate ($3.25 to $4.25)
Bakery
Are you hungry? Sink your teeth into Mama’s Java homemade bakery items.
- Gluten-free protein balls ($2.25)
- Gluten-free Nirvana bar ($5.59)
- Gluten-free chewy marshmallow bar ($3.29)
- Gluten-free Honduran chocolate brownie ($4.79)
Breakfast
Mama’s Java serves its breakfast items all day so you can get your breakfast fix anytime!
- Banana walnut vanilla French toast platter ($8.89)
- Breakfast quesadilla ($8.99)
- Breakfast sandwich ($4.29)
- Build your own omelet ($9.89)
- Build your own superfood power bowl ($4.99 to $6.99)
- Cajun breakfast ($8.59 to $11.99)
- Classic breakfast ($6.59)
- Elvis Presley oatmeal bowl ($5.59)
- Fudgy no-bake oatmeal bowl ($5.59)
- Greek goodness vegetarian omelet ($9.89)
- Hearty breakfast wrap ($6.99)
- Italian flag omelet ($9.89)
- Italian flag quinoa bowl ($10.89)
- Kitchen sink omelet ($12.89)
- Local latte oatmeal bowl ($5.59)
- Meat lovers’ quiche ($5.29)
- Mexican express ($12.89)
- MJ’s avocado toast with eggs ($9.99)
- Nolensville Running Club omelet ($9.89)
- Oatmeal ($3.09)
- Peanut butter-stuffed French toast platter ($9.95)
- Power wrap ($9.59)
- Quinoa protein power bowl ($11.89)
- Roll-up ($4.59)
- Small sausage wrap ($2.99)
- Vanilla French toast platter ($6.59)
- Veggie lover omelet ($9.89)
- Western omelet ($9.89)
- MJ hot chicken biscuit ($5.29)
Soups and Salads
Fill up on a nutritious, light meal with lunch offerings at Mama’s Java Café.
- Apple and brie organic spinach salad ($10.49)
- Apple walnut salad ($10.49)
- BBQ chicken salad ($10.49)
- Build your own salad ($9.95)
- Full Caesar salad ($7.89)
- Side Caesar salad ($4.19)
- Greek salad ($10.49)
- Nutty mix-up salad ($10.99)
- Full simply green salad ($7.89)
- Side simply green salad ($4.19)
- Soup ($3.49 to $13)
- Spinach and bacon salad ($10.49)
- Apple walnut wrap ($8.99)
- Avocado wrap ($8.99)
- BBQ chicken wrap ($8.99)
- BLT wrap ($8.99)
- Buffalo chicken wrap ($8.99)
- Caesar chicken wrap ($8.99)
- Mediterranean wrap ($9.99)
- Pesto chicken wrap ($8.99)
- Turkey and cheddar wrap ($8.99)
- Veggie lover wrap ($8.99)
Sandwiches
Treat yourself to a flavorful hot sandwich with lots on the menu!
- Black bean burger ($9.89)
- Build your own grilled cheese ($4.99)
- Chicken Cuban sandwich ($9.89)
- Gourmet grilled cheese ($8.99)
- Italian sandwich ($9.89)
- Meatball sandwich ($9.89)
- MJ club sandwich ($10.89)
- Pesto chicken sandwich ($8.99)
- Rueben the Great sandwich ($11.89)
- Turkey, apple, and brie sandwich ($11.89)
- Turkey and artichoke sandwich ($8.99)
Kids’ Menu
Of course, Mama’s Java has something for the little ones! Here’s what’s available on the kids’ menu.
- Applesauce ($1)
- Kids’ almond butter and jelly sandwich ($5.79)
- Kids’ grilled cheese ($5.79)
- Kids’ four-piece nuggets ($5.79)
- Kids’ peanut butter and jelly sandwich ($5.79)
- Kids’ breakfast ($5.79)
- Kids’ quesadilla ($5.79)
- Kids’ sandwich ($5.79)
- Kids’ smiley face pancake ($5.79)
A La Carte Add-Ons
Make your breakfast or lunch that much better with the following a la carte add-ons.
- Banana or apple ($1.29 each)
- Applesauce ($1)
- Biscuits and gravy ($4.39)
- Bag of chips ($1.59)
- Bag of veggie straws ($1.59)
- Bagel ($1.95)
- Biscuit ($1.99 each)
- Cage-free organic egg ($1.89 each)
- Granola bar ($1.09 each)
- Go-Gurt ($1.09 each)
- Hashbrown patties ($2.59 for two)
- Oatmeal ($3.09)
- Side of sausage links ($2.99 for three)
- Side of thick-cut bacon ($2.79 for three)
- Side of turkey sausage patties ($2.99 for two)
- Side of nine-grain wheatberry bread ($2.99 each)
- Side of gluten-free toast ($3.79 each)
- Side of pork sausage patties ($2.99 for two)
- Small chicken salad ($4.79)
- Side of toast ($1.59 to $2.59)
- Side of gravy ($1.99)
Where Is Mama’s Java Café Located? What Are the Hours?
If your stomach is rumbling and you can’t help but drool, you might want to plan a trip to Mama’s Java Café soon.
The café is located at 305 Sheldon Valley Drive, Suite 101, Nolensville, Tennessee 37135.
Mama’s java is open all seven days a week. The hours from Monday to Friday are 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Saturday, the café opens at 7 a.m. and closes by 2 p.m. The Sunday hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Should I Visit Mama’s Java Café?
Although I hope you’re not still wondering at this point whether you should stop at Mama’s Java Café, allow me to talk further about the high points of this establishment, of which there are many.
Mama’s Java is a long-standing institution in the Nolensville area. The husband-and-wife team of Melissa and Mark hand-make everything on the menu, from the delectable scones and wraps to the smooth, fresh-tasting coffee that Tennesseans can’t get enough of.
The menu is hugely varied, with breakfast items all day, filling and nutritious lunch items, and plenty of a la carte items. There’s even an entire kids’ menu for the tikes.
The prices are reasonable too so that whether you’re stopping by on a power lunch in the middle of the workday, treating your family to a quick bite to eat, or passing through while on your travels, you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg.
Quality service and low costs? It doesn’t get any better!
Final Thoughts
Mama’s Java Café is a Nolensville café and coffee roaster that I recently found and can’t get enough of. The high-quality handmade bakery items are always delectable, the coffee tastes exceptionally fresh, and the rotating coffee menu means there’s always a good reason to come back!