Mama Dee’s in Focus: A Hudson Story

So, I got to hang out with Diane “Dee Dee” Angelou recently—she’s the one behind Mama Dee’s Pizzeria in Hudson, and trust me, her story is just awesome. The restaurant’s name? That’s Dee Dee’s nickname, and it was her husband’s idea to tie it into the brand after almost three decades together.

In December 2024, Diane opened this cozy spot, fresh off the heels of selling her longtime venture, Villeray Pizzeria in Montreal, where she’d been making great food for 15 years. Before that? She used to live in the Catskills in New York with her husband, before moving to Canada in 2010. Diane comes from an Irish background (which fits nicely in Hudson’s community), and her husband is Greek—and speaks five languages, to boot.

Even with three kids and four grandkids, Diane’s energy is the kind you’ve got to see to believe. Her day starts around 6:30 a.m. over at the Royal Montreal Golf Course (she’s a supervisor there), then around mid-afternoon she drives out to Hudson to kick off work at the pizzeria by 3 p.m. She does it all with a grin.

When you step into Mama Dee’s, the vibe hits you. Walls lined with photos of classics—James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis—and a bit of rock-star flair. It’s like walking into your own personal nostalgia show while waiting for dinner. And speaking of dinner—the pizza and sub Mohamed serves up are simple perfection. You can taste the warmth, the family behind it, and all the personality.