Restaurant Review: Mommy Pais

Published: Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 10:00 am

Mommy Pais: A New Take on Chicken Fingers with Thai Flair

A new chicken-finger joint, Mommy Pais, has opened, offering a unique culinary experience with a focus on Thai flavors. The restaurant, a takeout-only establishment, is the latest venture from the team behind Thai Diner and the late Uncle Boons. The concept was born out of the constraints of a small storefront, previously used for various culinary endeavors.

The restaurant's design is visually striking, featuring a Thai-meets-rococo aesthetic. The facade, designed by May Redding, is a vibrant mix of textures and details, including wooden framing, a glass-brick wall, and hammered-metal clouds. The menu, displayed on an LCD screen, adds to the immersive experience.

The menu offers a variety of chicken fingers, available fried or grilled with different marinades, alongside a selection of dipping sauces. Sandwiches and sides are also available. The menu's complexity encourages exploration, with dishes like garlic-chive-and-tapioca dumplings and the Filet OTofu sandwich standing out. The restaurant also offers unique beverages, including Singha soda water and tropical-fruit-punch slushies.

The chicken fingers themselves are praised, with the coconut fried and Muay Thai-marinated options being favorites. The sauces, particularly the Noom Spicy Green Sauce, Phuket Island Sauce, and Crying Tiger, are also highly regarded.

The owners have expressed modest plans for growth, with local delivery already launched and expanded hours planned. The restaurant's intimate and personalized approach suggests a focus on quality over rapid expansion.

BNN's Perspective: Mommy Pais offers a refreshing take on fast-casual dining. The owners' commitment to quality ingredients, unique flavors, and striking design is commendable. While the menu's complexity might be initially overwhelming, it encourages exploration and discovery. The restaurant's focus on local delivery and measured growth suggests a sustainable approach to business, which is a welcome contrast to the often-aggressive expansion strategies seen in the industry.

Keywords: Mommy Pais, chicken fingers, Thai food, takeout, restaurant review, Ann Redding, Matt Danzer, Thai Diner, Uncle Boons, food review, fast casual, dipping sauces, menu, design, flavors, food, dining, restaurant, cuisine

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