Most kids believe their mom is the best cook in the world, but few try to persuade mom to sell her cooking. Unless you're Ivan “Zo” Gomez. Since the family’s first restaurant, Lindie's Wood Roasted Chicken, folded in Ivan's formative years, he sought to get Martina, his mom, back to sharing her food outside of the family.

After years of persuasion, Ivan convinced Martina to enter a tamale competition in 2018 where she secured 3rd place against well-established restaurants in Lake County. From this achievement, Martina became motivated to find a space to showcase her exceptional authentic Mexican cooking. Fortunately, she discovered a community that warmly embraced her talents at the Kenosha Public Market where Mijo's was born.

Mijo's quickly grew from a one-grill operation to participating in local festivals and catering private events. In 2022, Mijo’s further expanded into Lake Villa (shout out to Harbor Brewing Company and 9th Hour Brewing!), then Six Flags Great America in 2023, and now Fox Lake.

Mijo's is thrilled to be in Fox Lake, a community the Gomez family has spent much time in over the decades as residents of Lindenhurst. They respect Fox Lake as a village of hard-working people and are excited for Mijo's to grow alongside the city's new developments.

The name mijo (meaning, ‘my son’ in Spanish) honors both Ivan, Martina, and the family at the center of this business. The menu mirrors dishes you would find in Martina's home kitchen, each one serving as a warm, welcoming invitation into the Mijo's family.