New Mama C's Subs Fueled by Pair of Friends

Mama C's Subs, located at 143 Main St., opened its doors to hungry patrons March 1. Every Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., the shop serves breakfast platters, sandwiches, and fajitas—think eggs, bacon, and cheese in a soft tortilla—as well as standard lunchtime fare such as subs, paninis, wraps, salads, a soup of the day, and a variety of baked goods. Everything is homemade.

Michael Caminiti and David Colonnello are partners and co-owners of the new business, which was formerly Fat Boys Subs. Colonnello previously ran a landscaping business and Caminiti is a trained chef who owned an Italian restaurant for 30 years in Staten Island, N.Y.

"We decided to open in Madison because the people here are so nice. I became acclimated with the area and fell in love with it," Caminiti says. "Everyone I came in contact with was just so friendly and polite. And people in Madison appreciate good food. It's the only town I considered opening in."

Caminiti's wife, Geraldine, reports that business was decent during opening week. "We're tired!" she says, laughing. The most popular items on the menu so far are Mama C's Famous Meatball Slider, which costs just 99 cents (add 25 cents if you want mozzarella). "And the Main Street Special [a roast beef sandwich with American cheese and horseradish spread] has been a big hit," says Geraldine. "So has The Situation—Mike makes a homemade olive and sun-dried tomato spread that goes on it."

"We renovated everything, put in new floors, countertops, a new bathroom," she says. "We've gotten so many compliments on the new look."

For those who want to check e-mail or work through lunch, the shop offers free Wi-fi connection.

Mama C's is named for both Caminiti and Colonnello's mothers—that's the Mama part—while the C was chosen because it's the first initial of both their last names.

Caminiti feels the quote on the back of their menu best sums up Mama C's mantra. It reads: "We are lifelong friends bonded by a love of food inspired by our mothers. Our commitment to quality and excellence is reflection of our desire to produce memorable food."