A big slice of city history at county’s oldest pizzeria

What lays claim to be South Yorkshire’s oldest pizzeria has just celebrated 50 years of serving the hungry diners of Sheffield.
The restaurant before Leonie's was added to the nameThe restaurant before Leonie's was added to the name
The restaurant before Leonie's was added to the name

Mama’s and Leonie’s in Norfolk Street has been a mainstay of Sheffield city centre since 1968, serving a loyal customer base that is swelled by visitors and performers at the theatres and City Hall nearby.

The restaurant was started by Bernard and Janice Green, who were later joined by their son Scott. The family made many friends during their time running the restaurant, which began life as Mama’s Hamburger and Pizza Parlour.

Mama's and Leonie's restaurant staff and owners 20 years ago in 1999Mama's and Leonie's restaurant staff and owners 20 years ago in 1999
Mama's and Leonie's restaurant staff and owners 20 years ago in 1999
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Former waitress and manageress of the restaurant, Cath Hall and her husband John took over when the Greens retired in 2005 and Scott opted to concentrate on his other business concerns. 

Cath started work there in 1983, aged 19. She said: “I walked into have a coffee because my friend worked here. She said, ‘Do you fancy a job as we’re short staffed?’ I said, ‘No, I’m going to Spain to work’.

“I changed my mind and started off doing Fridays and Saturday daytimes. Two weeks later, they asked me to come full time.

“I started in March 1983, just before the snooker.”

Scott Green of Mama's and Leonie's in 2001 with his van registered MU 51 EATScott Green of Mama's and Leonie's in 2001 with his van registered MU 51 EAT
Scott Green of Mama's and Leonie's in 2001 with his van registered MU 51 EAT

She had worked at the restaurant for 22 years, becoming manageress, when the Greens called it a day.

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Cath added: “It’s a lot to take on, from being manageress to owner, but the customers just thought it was fantastic.”

They have carried on with the family atmosphere as Cath’s sister Anne and niece Nicola both work with them. Another sister, Sheila, used  to be part of the team as well.

Cath said the restaurant’s success is down to several factors. “85 per cent of customers are regulars. I say it’s like a jigsaw – good service, good music, good food, cleanliness – that gives a buzz to the place.

Mama's and Leonies, Norfolk Street, Sheffield. Picture: Andrew RoeMama's and Leonies, Norfolk Street, Sheffield. Picture: Andrew Roe
Mama's and Leonies, Norfolk Street, Sheffield. Picture: Andrew Roe

“Grandmas will bring their daughters, who bring their daughters and their daughters… it’s just a family-run business.”

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Cath said that originally there was another Mama’s pizza parlour near Cole Brothers. She said: “This was what they called little Mama’s.”

When she first arrived, the restaurant was experimenting with vegetarian food upstairs as Leonie’s was run as a separate restaurant, but it didn’t last. 

These days, with the trend for vegan food, there are some vegan dishes on the specials board, but the main menu stays essentially the same.

A menu from the 1970sA menu from the 1970s
A menu from the 1970s

Gin is a popular tipple currently, so they stock a range now.

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The restaurant takes up a building that is believed to date back to around 1840. Over the years it's been home to various shops and cafes.

The old flagged cellar is intriguing and a stone gutter running along the floor may have helped to fuel the rumours that dastardly medical deeds took place there, with blood being washed away in the gulley. 

There’s also rumoured to have been a tunnel linking the cellar to the Upper Chapel across the road.

With all that history in the building, inevitably there’s a ghost, nicknamed Arthur. Cath said she’d caught a glimpse occasionally of a figure flitting up the stairs.

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There have been plenty more famous visitors over the years and the autograph album is brimming with snooker stars, Olympic medallists and a whole host of showbiz names. Top actors include Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Grandage, Kenneth Branagh, Diana Rigg…  

The original upstairs dining room at Mama's & Leonies, Norfolk Street, SheffieldThe original upstairs dining room at Mama's & Leonies, Norfolk Street, Sheffield
The original upstairs dining room at Mama's & Leonies, Norfolk Street, Sheffield

Musicians range from The Monkees to Sheffield's own Arctic Monkeys, Chrissie Hynde and Helen Shapiro.

Cath has fond memories of Rotherham comedy duo, the Chuckle Brothers, regular visitors during their Lyceum panto stints in 1997-8. 

She said they never refused to sign an autograph for any of their young fans.

The restaurant is always full for the World Snooker and many tables were booked months ago.