If you've eaten in Morgan Hill long enough, you've probably met Majid Bahriny — or at least eaten something he cooked. Majid owns Mama Mia's Restaurant, and this year the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce recognized him with the 2026 Celebrate Award Legacy Honor. We sat down with him to talk about the last 20 years.
The restaurant Mama Mia's has been a Morgan Hill fixture for two decades. Italian menu, family-run, the kind of place where the host remembers your name after one visit and the portions are honest. It's not a trend restaurant. It's a restaurant you go to when you want the same good thing you had last time. Location: 275 E. Dunne Ave, Morgan Hill.
The Legacy Award The Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce awards the Celebrate MH Legacy Award to businesses that have shaped Morgan Hill over many years. Majid was this year's honoree. The award isn't about revenue or ambition — it's about showing up, consistently, for a long time. That's what Mama Mia's has done.
Community involvement Beyond the restaurant, Majid serves on multiple local boards and has been active in community charitable efforts. He's known for offering to feed volunteers for major community events like Relay for Life — at no charge.
Majid in his own words We asked him what's changed in 20 years downtown. His answer was short: "Everything, except the people who come back." He told us about regulars who ate dinner at Mama Mia's as teenagers and now bring their own kids. He told us about the pandemic — when every restaurant was rewriting its playbook every week. He told us about the team members who've stuck with him for years.
The off-menu order We asked and he told us: ask for the lasagna special, and if you're hungry, add the house salad with the anchovy dressing. Not on the regular menu. Just ask.
For more local business spotlights, see our Creative Manufacturing Solutions profile and our Guide to Downtown Morgan Hill.
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Sources: - Chamber announces 2026 Celebrate Award Winner — Morgan Hill Times - Majid at Home in Mama's Kitchen — Gilroy Dispatch - Mama Mia's Restaurant Official
Media plan: Portrait photo of Majid in the restaurant kitchen.