Washington, D.C.'s beloved bagel institution is finally coming to Chicago. Call Your Mother, the hit bagel shop that has earned a cult following on the East Coast, will open its first Midwest location at 1615 N. Damen Avenue in Wicker Park this spring.
Founded by Andrew Dana and Dani Moreira, Call Your Mother has become famous for its Montreal-New York hybrid bagels and Jewish deli staples reimagined with creative twists. The menu anchors around sandwiches that push boundaries while honoring tradition.
The Jetski has achieved legendary status: brisket and pastrami layered with sofrito, jalapeño, and melted cheeses on a hand-rolled bagel. The Hidden Cove offers something lighter but equally inventive: smoked salmon with mashed avocado, Korean-style cucumbers, seaweed flakes, and shredded carrots.
Seasonal items rotate throughout the year, and the bakery case features muffins, latkes, and cookies that disappear quickly.
The restaurant's design will bring Call Your Mother's signature aesthetic to Chicago: striking pink and teal accents that have become instantly recognizable on social media. A curated playlist of late '90s and early 2000s tracks sets the mood—nostalgic without being kitchy.
"Chicago has an incredible food culture, and we've wanted to be part of it for years," says Dana. "Wicker Park felt like the perfect neighborhood—creative, community-oriented, and hungry for great bagels."
The timing couldn't be better. Chicago's bagel scene has evolved dramatically in recent years, with several high-quality shops earning devoted followings. Call Your Mother enters a market primed to appreciate what they do differently.
For Midwesterners who have traveled to D.C. specifically to visit the original, the Wicker Park location means no more plane tickets required. For everyone else, it's a chance to discover what the hype is about.
Expect lines. Pack patience. And for best results, call your mother while you wait.