Beginning in the 1950s going out for brunch or dinner began to be a popular way to treat mothers on their annual holiday. But it seems to have lost its appeal somewhat in recent years. Has the idea of doing that waned with the public or is it because fewer restaurants are open on Sundays? Maybe restaurant staffs would like to celebrate the day themselves. But it is more likely that going out to eat on Sundays, once very popular, has become less so and restaurants don’t find it worthwhile to stay open. And, could it be that brunch has lost its appeal as well? [Above: Allgauer’s ad, Chicago, 1956]
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Restaurant-ing through history 
Hi — I think the main reason for many people (myself included) to skip it is that Mother’s Day Brunch turned into a train wreck. You would have to make reservations WAY in advance and even then sometimes the best places would be already booked up. THEN, for the fortunate who could secure a reservation, usually the restaurant was so crazy crowded and noisy that what should have been a fun brunch just turned into a loud, noisy headache. My mother (and mother-in-law) have been gone for many years now so for me it’s a non-issue but I just remember too many Mother’s Days in a noisy crowded hectic restaurant just waiting to get it the hell over with!!
Be well — Bob
I have never seen evidence that that families are less likely to takes mothers out to eat on Mothers Day. I don’t think there is an issue of restaurants closing on Sundays. We ate out yesterday for supper, and the restaurant was full.
Thanks for letting me know. Was the restaurant you went to a chain restaurant that is normally open for three meals a day?
Hey Jan,The one thing that has caused me to stop eating out is the war over tipping! It’s a frightening.
Specific to Mother’s Day, here in San Antonio, the crowds are unbelievable. If I want my wife to feel honored. I’ll take her out for Mother’s day a week or two before when it’s not insane. Even if someone is forethinking enough to make a reservation, you’re packed in like sardines and parking is a madhouse. So we pick our own day when it isn’t that hectic. Fewer people may be going out on Mother’s Day, but that’s not reflected in the crowdedness of our local restaurants.
All the restaurants I’ve seen are very busy on Mother’s Day, which is why I took my mom out yesterday instead, and even that was busy.
If there are empty restaurants, maybe it’s because of something like the old Yogi Berra quote: “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.” Maybe people have stopped going because they’re afraid it’s going to be crowded, and as they realize it’s not, the pendulum will swing in the other direction.
I love a story I heard about a restaurant that was open 24 hours a day – maybe something like Denny’s. The owner realized that almost all of his staff were mothers and he decided to close on Mother’s Day to give them the day off. Which was very nice of him, but he had to call a locksmith because nobody knew where the keys for the doors were since they never used them. : )
Happy Mother’s Day, all you mom’s out there.
Are the restaurants you’re thinking of also usually open on Sundays?
Love it! Thanks for sharing!
Going to a restaurant on Mother’s Day (or most any holiday) is usually a disappointment. The only exception is when urban Jews go out for Chinese on Christmas.