Restaurant Review: Last-Minute Mothers Day Brunch Reservations in Chicago

Honoring Mothers on a specific day originated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held the first Mother’s Day service of worship at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, according to Wikipedia sources. 

In 1914, Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating Mother’s Day, held on the second Sunday in May, as a national holiday to honor mothers. Hence, a Sunday celebration! 🎊 🎉 

Chicago’s eclectic restaurants in every corner of the city are making grand plans for the annual event. Dean’s Team Chicago has compiled a list of Chicago restaurants still taking reservations for Sunday, May 10. 

In Streeterville, the Albert, 228 E. Ontario Street, Chef Steven Chiappetti is creating a special dining experience designed for sharing, savoring, and enjoying Mom’s favorite flavors together! The restaurant, in the Hotel EMC2, for $60 per person, their “Brunchissumo” Italian Coastal Experience includes such specialties as Panzanella, Grilled Asparagus with Prosciutto in aged balsamic, Green Bean and Red Onion with lemon vinaigrette, and Marinated Artichokes. Follow that with Verdure-sweet peppers, mushrooms, onions, crushed San Marzano tomatoes, and provolone cheese, or an Egg Frittata, with eggs, garden vegetables, dill, and mozzarella. For reservations, click here. 

At Navy Pier, bring Mom and the family to internationally celebrated Chef Art Smith’s Reunion Restaurant, 700 E. Grand Avenue, features a robust menu of Chef Art’s signature comfort foods, many with a healthier spin, plus a variety of new dishes that lean into the Midwest’s bountiful supply of farm-fresh meat, fruit, and product. 

Their $45 per person, Southern-inspired Mother Day Brunch items include their Church Lady Deviled Eggs or Fried Green Tomatoes, followed by your choice of Shrimp and Grits, Brisket Hash, or Chicken & Waffles before finishing off off with a true Louisiana creation…Beignets! For reservations, click here. 

In Andersonville, another Southern-inspired gem is Big Jones, 5347 N. Clark Street , which marked 16 years in Andersonville in April.  As Audacy.com points out, their #Beat Bobby Flay biscuit sandwich was a winner on the Food Network competition show. Chef Paul’s Iron Chef-beating homage to the humble egg sandwich – a big, bodacious buttermilk biscuit slathered with sweet cream butter and stacked with Chaurice (Creole hot sausage), Jarlsberg Swiss cheese, and spicy apple chutney, served with your choice of side. 

Other unusual choices include Skillet Cornbread, Hazzard Free Farm heirloom cornmeal baked in bacon fat and topped with whipped sorghum butter. Decadent! Sweet Potato Pancakes, which are richly spiced rice flour pancakes, laced with sweet potato puree, filled with vanilla pastry cream, and topped with honey pecan granola, whipped sorghum butter.  Gumbo Yaya has chicken, house made andouille sausage, and homemade Worcestershire sauce, along with a dark, smoky roux. It’s served with steamed Cahokia rice. Their traditional brunch on Mother’s Day weekend runs from 9am-4pm.  For reservations, click here. 

At River North’s Bub City, 435 N. Clark Street,  celebrate Mom, as they say on their website, with brunch alongside live acoustic country music! Enjoy specials like Cinnamon Pull-Apart Sticky Buns, Egg White Tacos, Chicken & Waffle, Bottomless Mimosas and more! For reservations, click here. 

At Fulton Market’s Carnivale, 702 W. Fulton Market, a vibrant, family-friendly brunch filled with bold flavors, colorful displays, and joyful energy. An abundant Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet, featuring an array of chef-crafted brunch favorites for $70 per person, including Spanish Style Seafood Paella with octopus, clams, calamari, scallops, tomato-saffron broth, and bomba rice. Bacon Wrapped Dates, Braised Short Rib and Barbacoa, festive seasonal dishes, and decadent desserts served in their iconic, art-filled dining rooms. 

Guests are invited to relax, indulge, and celebrate Mom with great food, lively ambiance, and warm hospitality — the perfect way to honor Mother’s Day with family and friends. For reservations, click here. 

Note: Happy Mother’s Day to all those who care for others…tirelessly, faithfully and without thought to their own comfort. That will always be the definition of ‘Mother.’ 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago