Chef Watters reopens Mom Mom’s Soul Food in Philly

Food for the soul is what Chef Kevin Watters is aiming to bring to Philly for Black History Month. And now it’s official—Watters’ pop up Mom Mom’s Soul Food is back by popular demand after first setting up shop during the pandemic. 

Watters, a longtime Executive Chef of The Dutch (the popular breakfast and lunch eatery with a focus on reinventing the Pennsylvania Dutch classics,) is originally from West Philadelphia. As a release states, on the heels of the successful soul food pop up last winter, Watters is reviving the culinary event for a second year in a row as a nod to Black History Month, named in remembrance of his late grandmother Lillian Lewis, who was known in her community as “everybody’s Mom-Mom.”

The pop-up, like last year, will be doing some good. On Thursday, Feb. 10, Friday, Feb. 11, and Monday, Feb. 28, Mom Mom’s will be benefiting local, BIPOC-owned and chef-led charity, Everybody Eats. The West Philadelphia-based food drive’s mission is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in the fight against hunger, and Watters and The Dutch are contributing ten percent of sales on those dates. 

So, what does the takeaway meal from the pop up consist of? Think a platter with two sides, cornbread, and one meat, in addition to a dessert and choice of sweet or unsweetened tea, all for $35 per person. 

Options include buttermilk fried chicken thighs, braised beef short ribs, baked mac ‘n’ cheese, collard greens cooked with turkey butts, candied yams and layered strawberry shortcake. 

Orders for Mom Mom’s Soul Food Pop Up can be placed online for pick up from noon to 6 p.m. on Feb. 10 – 11 at the original Pennsport location of The Dutch at 1527 S. 4th Street.

Watters is also planning a sit-down, multi-course menu on Monday, Feb. 28 for the first time ever at The Dutch’s new location on 1537 S. 11th Street, formerly home to sister restaurant Fond, which closed in December 2021, a release states. For $50 per person, attendees can enjoy a slightly elevated take on Mom Mom’s Soul Food Pop Up with a robust four-course dinner including deviled eggs, cornbread, mac ‘n’ cheese with braised short rib, fried chicken collard greens and candied yams, and strawberry shortcake beignets. This highly exclusive event is available for two seatings only at 7 and 7:30 p.m., and reservations can be made by emailing info@thedutchphilly.com.