For 10 years, family owned restaurant Little Mama’s has served the Round Rock community a taste of the Philippines.

The counter-service eatery has fueled Filipino community members looking for a comforting meal in addition to individuals looking to put new cuisine on their plate.
The restaurant sells lumpia for $1.49 per lumpia, 6 lumpia for $8.79 and 12 lumpia for $13.79. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
The restaurant sells lumpia for $1.49 per lumpia, 6 lumpia for $8.79 and 12 lumpia for $13.79. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
Behind the name

Co-owner Joanna Meyer said after graduating high school her mother was inspired to have a business of her own. After looking for a location in Round Rock for a year, Meyer said “the stars aligned” and the family began cooking authentic Filipino cuisine for the community right behind Rock Creek Plaza.

“This was the spot for us,” Meyer said. “We’ve been here 10 years ever since and it’s been great. It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s been very rewarding.”

When deciding what to call the restaurant, Meyer said her mother insisted on the name Little Mama’s.


“That was all my mom’s doing,” Meyer said. “I said, ‘What do you want your restaurant to be called?’ And she said, ‘I’m little. I want it to be Little Mama’s.’”
The restaurant has desserts ready for purchase in a fridge next to the checkout counter. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
The restaurant has desserts ready for purchase in a fridge next to the checkout counter. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
What’s special about it?

Growing up, Meyer worried about not being able to create authentic dishes for her future family, but after watching her mother cook in the restaurant for so many years, the skills come naturally to her.

“My mom is what I want to call a typical Filipino. When they’re in the kitchen by themselves, they’re in the zone. If you’re not watching your mom or dad cook, you’re probably not going to get a paper recipe,” Meyer said. “But now? I can cook these recipes with my eyes closed.”

"Little Mama" cooks everything with the exception of some grilled and fried items, which Meyer and her brother help out with. A large portion of the customers are regulars whose orders Meyer has memorized over the years.
Pancit is one of the most ordered items at the restaurant, co-owner Joanna Meyer said. The mixed pancit noodles are available for $15.99. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
Pancit is one of the most ordered items at the restaurant, co-owner Joanna Meyer said. The mixed pancit noodles are available for $15.99. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
“I have customers for 10 years that have never changed their order,” Meyer said. “As soon as they walk through I’m like, ‘Ms. Diana, should I get that pancit and six lumpia started?’”


After the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Meyer said the restaurant shifted from offering full service to focusing on counter service.

On the menu

The restaurant’s menu offers traditional Filipino cuisine including lumpia, pancit, pork barbecue, pinoy curry and whole fried fish. A majority of customers order the pancit, skinny glass noodles with chicken, cabbage and carrot; and lumpia, a crispy pork egg roll.
The restaurant has 'awesome specials' that are displayed on a chalkboard when entering the business. The Whole Fried Pompano fish is a special available for $16.99. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
The restaurant has "awesome specials" that are displayed on a chalkboard when entering the business. The Whole Fried Pompano fish is a special available for $16.99. (Dacia Garcia/Community Impact)
Meyer said she hopes individuals will consider expanding their palette and try more specialty items, such as the various whole fried fish offered at the restaurant. The main goal for the restaurant is to encourage community members to try something new, she said.

“That’s what I’ll say has been my mom’s number one goal,” Meyer said. “She’s like, ‘Everyone knows pho noodles and Chinese dishes, but people don’t know Filipino food. I want them to know Filipino food.’”