When Penny Mohr immigrated to the United States in 2011, she understood she preferred to be in a kitchen area.
Her cousin experienced recently opened several Japanese dining establishments in Chicago, so she got to work encouraging him and learning each achievable work – server, host, cook dinner, dishwasher, manager and, 11 a long time afterwards, operator.
Penny and her husband, Chris Mohr, opened Tomo Japanese Avenue Food items in Evanston on April 19, with a line stretching down Sherman Avenue. They have been perfecting their ramen recipe via the many years, beginning at the Forum55 Foodstuff Corridor in Chicago in 2018. Owing to COVID-19, the food corridor shut down, and the Mohrs created the conclusion to open up their very own place.
Penny Mohr, who is Thai, states her next-preferred food items (Thai staying first, of program) is Japanese. She has been cooking unique forms of Asian cuisine since she was 11 a long time old, but she claimed she’s often been drawn to Japanese society and food items. Just after she and Chris took a trip to Japan prior to the pandemic, they both of those agreed they wished to make a restaurant very similar to the Japanese avenue food they appreciated even though abroad.
“We just preferred to have a little something additional casual, just a put to occur and get your ramen and view Electrical power Rangers or anime,” Chris Mohr explained.
When selecting to open up up Tomo at 1726 Shermann Ave., Chris reported he and Penny carefully watched the foot targeted visitors in the Evanston restaurant scene. They struggled to uncover a everyday to-go position close to Northwestern College that was open right after 7 p.m., so they resolved they would hire the vacant spot on Sherman Avenue following door to Kilwins and tap into the Northwestern student viewers.
Chris reported Tomo hopes to get a liquor license and host karaoke as well. The menu will be increasing as they employ the service of and train far more personnel, as will the hrs, which are now 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. but transform to 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. beginning on Could 1.
They say their karaage curry rice (a curry rice bowl topped with fried hen), lava takoyaki (fried octopus dumplings topped with spicy mayo and masago) and curry udon (udon noodles with handmade beef curry) have been amid the most well-liked menu products.
Although summer season is quick approaching, Penny Mohr reported she’s certain their home-designed ramen will acquire about as the most well-liked item when temperatures drop in the drop.
Even nevertheless there is however far more function to do, Penny Mohr reported her lifelong aspiration of opening up her possess restaurant feels a little bit considerably less tense now.
“It’s not quick to function in a cafe and I was pressured with this area,” she said. “After the first working day and all of the men and women that arrived, I have no tension.”
