From left to right: Nick (waiter), Madonna - Mo (co-owner), Mitch (bartender), Beau (co-owner/ head chef), & Dave (chef). Photos on this page by Brian Brakebill
Beau & Mo’s Chicago Style Steakhouse: Livin’ the American Dream By Tina Stewart Brakebill In 2015, Beau and Madonna (Mo) Wallace opened the doors to their new restaurant at 2924 Fifth Ave. N. Beginning as an Italian-only venue, Beau & Mo’s soon added steaks, and the combination of Italian fare and Chicago-style steaks was a winner.
Finding Their Florida Home Looking back, the concept makes perfect sense. Originally from Chicago, Beau and Mo both grew up around the food. Madonna was working at a pizza place by the time she was 12, and Beau was learning to cook at the side of his Sicilian grandmother. As a couple, they were successful owners/operators of numerous Italian and steakhouse restaurants in the Chicago area. When they got an offer to re-concept a restaurant and hotel in Marathon, Madonna said, they were looking to make a change (and maybe escape those Chicago winters. They “jumped off the bridge,” she said, sold almost everything, and arrived at Mile Marker 52 with their remaining belongings in a U-Haul, eager to get started. The deal didn’t work out, but they decided to remain in Florida and searched for another opportunity. Soon after, they saw an advertisement for an available restaurant space in the Kenwood neighborhood. One visit convinced them that this could be their new home.
“There is no love more sincere than the love of food.” Beau & Mo’s is located in Historic Kenwood at 29th St N & 5th Ave.
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GREENBENCHMONTHLY.COM / JULY 2021
The family-run restaurant quickly found its winning formula as it became a beloved part of the Kenwood neighborhood family. The steaks
