A new Mama Roja location is being developed at the northeast corner of Lindsey Street and Berry Road under Hal Smith Restaurants.
In 2023, the city of Norman Planning Commission approved Hal Smith Restaurants request to rezone property at the northeast corner of Lindsey Street and Berry Road. When it was presented, residents voiced concerns about traffic created by a new restaurant on Berry Road, a two-lane residential street and an emergency service road.
Two years later, it was confirmed that the restaurant would be a Mama Roja location by Amber Morgan, executive general manager of Mama Roja in Oklahoma City.
This will be the Mexican restaurant's second location. Mama Roja is off Britton Road and Lake Hefner Parkway in Oklahoma City. Mama Roja’s Norman location is a 4,200-square-foot restaurant featuring a deck and a parking lot with space for 84 cars.
This property has appeared before the Norman City Council many times, and residents in surrounding neighborhoods have opposed the development since its early stages.
Sooner Traditions LLC has attempted to rezone the land for commercial use twice. In 2015, their strip mall proposal was met with backlash from surrounding neighbors, and in 2022, another commercial development was rejected by the council.
Corey Wilson, former OU football player and co-owner of Coaches Corner, said they’ve seen great days and have built a relationship with Norman since opening in September.
Wilson said he will support the new restaurant and all of the businesses at the intersection of Lindsey Street and Berry Road.
“We want to see everyone on West Lindsey succeed, and be great at what we all do, and that is to serve the community with great food and amazing customer service,” Wilson said.
Hal Smith Restaurants oversees several establishments in Norman, including Charleston’s, El Huevo Mexi-Diner, The Garage, Louie’s Grill & Bar, Neighborhood JA.M., Pub W and The Winston.
An opening date for Mama Roja has not been officially announced.
This story was edited by Peggy Dodd. Tori Pham and Avery Avery copy edited this story.
