Our Story

Mom’s Kitchen is more than a restaurant. It is a family dream brought to life in the heart of Auburn.

Meet Leeann Needham, the “Mom” behind the new Mom’s Kitchen. Alongside her husband Art and daughter Amanda, Leeann has worked tirelessly to turn this dream into a reality. After purchasing the restaurant in January 2026, what was expected to be a simple renovation quickly became a much bigger labor of love, with extensive updates, new health code requirements, and flooring improvements needed before opening the doors.

But through every delay and every long day, the purpose behind Mom’s Kitchen only became stronger.

For Leeann, this restaurant holds a special place in her heart because it is deeply tied to her father, Paul Davis.

Paul was a devoted father, a respected man, and someone remembered for his warmth, humor, and love for his family. In his later years, as he battled dementia, Leeann stayed close by his side. Every six weeks, she would take him to Kaiser for routine blood draws, and afterward, they would look forward to breakfast at his favorite diner.

That diner was Mom’s Kitchen.

Paul always ordered the same thing: pancakes. It became such a tradition that the previous owner would greet him by asking, “Paul, are you ready for your pancakes?”

That simple ritual became a treasured memory.

In honor of Paul, the Needham family has renamed the full stack of pancakes on the Mom’s Kitchen menu to Paul’s Pancakes.

Today, Mom’s Kitchen carries that same spirit forward: family, comfort, good food, and memories made around the table.

The Needham family welcomes you to this new chapter of Mom’s Kitchen Auburn. Whether you are stopping in for breakfast, bringing your family for lunch, or ordering Paul’s Pancakes in his honor, we are grateful to have you here.

From our family to yours, welcome to Mom’s Kitchen.