What Fresno-area restaurants are doing for Mother’s Day 2022: Steak, live music, more
Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 8 – and it’s gearing up to be the most normal Mother’s Day in a while.
Last year at this time, COVID was still causing restaurants to operate at 50% capacity and many were focusing on takeout. But sit down meals like brunch and dinner with mom are back in force this year.
Keep reading to see what Fresno-area restaurants – and some wineries and bakeries – are doing this year.
Historically, Mother’s Day is one of the most popular days to dine out.
This year, four in 10 consumers plan to go out to or order in from a local restaurant, according to the National Restaurant Association.
“After more than two years of limited on-premises dining, consumers are ready to return to restaurants, especially to celebrate special occasions and socialize with family and friends,” said Hudson Riehle, the association’s senior vice president of research, in a news release.
One thing that’s not normal? A staffing shortage. Don’t be surprised if service is a little slower than in years past because there’s likely fewer people working at your restaurant.
And a word of advice? Make reservations now. Restaurants book up fast. If brunch isn’t available, try for dinner, which usually has more time slots available. Also, note some restaurants are offering their Mother’s Day specials on Saturday this year.
More and more restaurants are letting customers reserve online now instead of calling. Check each restaurant’s website for details.
Here’s a look at some restaurants doing special menus or meals for the day in the Fresno area. This is not a comprehensive list. If you’re wondering what your favorite restaurant is doing, give them or call or pop onto their social media.
And if dining out on a busy day isn’t your thing, check out what some other local businesses are doing.
Restaurants open on Mother’s Day
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse at Fashion Fair is giving moms who dine this Saturday or Sunday a free stemless wine glass with a 2022 Happy Mother’s Day logo on it.
The restaurant’s menu features pizza, salads, pasta, burgers, along with the dessert it’s known for, a warm Pizookie cookie topped with ice cream.
BJ’s won’t take reservations that day and is open from 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday.
Details: 715 E. Shaw Ave. 559-570-1900.
Elbow Room Bar & Grill in Fig Garden Village is a classic Mother’s Day choice. It might look a little different if you haven’t been in a while. They’ve revamped the seating, putting booths on the patio.
They also have a market with gift baskets for mom with Champagne, wine, coffee mugs and more.
Elbow Room’s brunch is already booked, but as of our deadline, reservations were available for 2 p.m. to close. It will feature its regular menu with favorites like steak, burgers and salads.
Details: 731 W. San Jose Ave. 559-227-1234.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is hosting a special mom-centric menu that includes steak and a cocktail.
The full menu is online, and features a three-course meal with a petite filet mignon with either lobster tail scampi or crab-stuffed shrimp scampi. It also comes with your choice of salad and dessert.
The meals start at $90. A children’s menu is also available.
Can’t get a reservation on Mother’s Day? The special menu will be served on Saturday too. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. both days.
Details: 639 East Shaw Ave. 559-222-5823.
Manhattan Steakhouse & Bar will be open from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mother’s Day.
The full menu is online, but includes an escargot appetizer, several kinds of steak, (including its signature 32-ounce tomahawk ribeye), along with pistachio-crusted halibut and chicken Wellington.
Details: 1731 W Bullard Ave. 559-449-1731.
Sal’s Mexican Restaurants are celebrating mom at all three of its locations: Fresno, Selma and Madera. Each will have live music, usually a mariachi band.
All three locations have their menus online. Fresno’s Mother’s Day offerings include fish tacos, enchiladas, and carnitas, for example, with flan and churros for dessert.
The Fresno location is not taking reservations, but is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day.
Details: The Fresno Sal’s is at 7476 N. Fresno St. 559-438-3030.
Other Mother’s Day options
Several wineries are holding brunch outdoors with views of their vineyards – and a glass of wine, of course.
Cedar View Winery, for example, still had tickets available as of our deadline for its three-course meal on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It features pastries, fruit, chocolatey treats and a main entree of quiche or casserole. The full menu is online and costs $40 for adults (less if you’re a wine club member) and $20 for children.
Details: Purchase tickets at www.cedarviewwinery.com. 1384 S. Frankwood Ave., Sanger. 559-787-9412.
BooBoo Bean Bakery & Cafe is pushing all things strawberry for Mother’s Day: Strawberry pizza, strawberry pie, strawberry cream puffs and more.
Order in advance before they sell out.
Details: 2063 W. Bullard Ave. 559-570-8093.
This story was originally published May 3, 2022 at 1:48 PM.
