Is there parking nearby?

Street parking is your best bet around University Ave in North Park. The spot shares a building with a bar, so the lot situation isn't ideal—arrive early or be ready to circle. Meter parking is available on the block.

What are the hours and can I get dinner here?

Mom's operates during the day since it shares a space with a bar that takes over at night. Go for breakfast or lunch to catch them—dinner service isn't available, though the bar next door serves drinks if you want to stick around.

Do I need a reservation?

Walk-ins are fine and usually move fast, but weekends can get busier. No reservation system mentioned, so just show up—one reviewer mentioned zero wait on their visit, which is a solid sign for this spot.

What should I order first?

Get the chicken and waffles—that's literally why this place exists. The fried chicken is crispy with real seasoning, the waffles are legitimately fluffy, and the portions are generous. The Fruity Pebbles waffle and the 'Mom and Pop's Special' are standouts based on reviews.

Is it kid-friendly and dog-friendly?

Yes to both. It's tagged as family-friendly and pet-friendly, with outdoor seating available, so bring the kids and dogs without worry.

Are there vegan or dietary options?

No specific accommodations mentioned in reviews. Given it's a chicken and waffles spot, options are limited—call ahead if you have dietary restrictions.

What's the vibe like inside?

It's casual and fun with a neighborhood feel, but fair warning: one reviewer noted it's a little dark inside and the space feels intimate (some called the curb appeal underwhelming). Don't go expecting polished—go for the food and the laid-back North Park energy.

Can I get drinks here?

Yes—the spot shares a building with a bar, and reviewers mention bartenders can mix drinks. They've got something fruity and peach-forward that hits. It's a fun bonus if you want a drink with breakfast.

Mom's Chicken and Waffles — San Diego

“Mom's Chicken and Waffles operates as a daytime pop-up inside a North Park bar, serving fried chicken that justifies the strange setup.”

Unlike the wood-fired precision at Tribute Pizza down the street, Mom's runs on a different logic entirely — it's a chicken shack occupying bar real estate during off-hours, which means you're eating brunch in a space that smells faintly of last night's PBR. The curb appeal is nonexistent. The lighting is dim. You will question your choices until the food arrives.

Then the chicken hits the table and none of it matters. The breading is aggressively seasoned and stays crispy even under syrup. The waffles come in flavors that shouldn't work — Fruity Pebbles, Oreo — but they're fluffy enough to pull it off, sweet without turning into dessert. The Mom and Pop's special loads you up with both, plus sides, for a price that makes sense if you're splitting it or planning to skip dinner.

The dual-purpose space is the whole deal here. You're not getting the polished 30th Street brunch crowd or the craft-everything aesthetic that defines most of the corridor. You're getting a pop-up that figured out how to make rent by being damn good at one thing during daylight hours. Park on the side streets off University — metered spots turn over fast. No wait times because nobody walking by realizes it's open. Go for lunch if you want the chicken without the Sunday brunch energy, or hit it late morning if you want a fruity cocktail with your fried food and don't mind the bar vibe.

It's not trying to be North Park's next Instagram brunch spot. It's trying to serve excellent fried chicken in a neighborhood bar before the taps start flowing, and it succeeds.