Mom's Place - A Chicago Gathering Spot

Mom’s, a Japanese-American Comfort Food Favorite, Pops Up in Lakeview | Eater Chicago

"Founded in 2019 by Chicago chef Kelly Ijichi, Mom’s is a small-yet-mighty Japanese‑American comfort food stand turned moveable feast known for whimsical hits like purple ube coconut doughnuts and crispy katsu sandos. Built around Yōshoku—Japanese cuisine with Western influences—and nostalgic flavors from Ijichi’s childhood on the Northwest Side, Mom’s began as a pop-up, moved into Politan Row, relocated in 2020 to Marz Community Brewing for about a year and a half, and has since shifted into a weekly takeout-only bento pop-up model at Konbini & Kanpai. Menus are released on Tuesdays via Instagram for online pre-order and Saturday pickup; Ijichi is also holding one-off events (for example, an udon-night fundraiser in December at Bayan Koin Ravenswood), is relocating her operation into a new commissary kitchen, and says she doesn’t plan to sign a lease soon, preferring a more autonomous, flexible, and collaborative way of operating inspired by pandemic-era community programs." - Naomi Waxman