Couple opens Aunt Tina’s Kitchen in Elmhurst

On Sunday, July 21, husband-and-wife team and business owners Tony and Abbey Cannon held a grand opening of Aunt Tina’s Kitchen, a quick service restaurant at 582 W. Lake St. in Elmhurst. The team also owns Aunt Tina’s Sound Bites Food Truck and That Rub, a seasonings and dry blend business.

At a time where our world is incredibly divided, the interracial husband and wife team have a unique goal -- to lead change and unify people by promoting the beauty of our cultural differences. Tony and Abbey believe that good food and inclusive environment bring all people together.

“Our number one goal is to bring unity to our community through comfort food and and a comfortable environment,” stated Abbey. “We have all dealt with a great deal of divisiveness the last few years, and we hope Aunt Tina’s Kitchen reminds people that we all have more in common than we realize. We are in the food business, but we are also in the business of bringing people together.”

Tony and Abbey have both had a lifelong love of food, Tony began working in the restaurant business at the young age of 14. His Aunt Tina, who the business is named after, gave him his first job.

“I learned so much about the food industry watching my Aunt Tina, her love and passion of food is why I decided to get into this industry. She is one who encouraged me to go to culinary school,” Tony says. “When she passed away unexpectedly in 2021, I knew I had to pay tribute to her, and our business is the perfect way to do it.”

The couple started Aunt Tina’s Sound Bites, a Southern comfort food truck, in April of 2022. The new brick and mortar location is a natural expansion of their menu and mission.

Aunt Tina’s Kitchen feature a diverse menu of soul food and comfort food, things that Aunt Tina loved. The menu offers everything from fried catfish to cornbread fritters, and fried green tomatoes to peach cobbler cheesecake. There is something for everyone and every taste bud. Tony and Abbey hope to create an environment that encourages connection. The restaurant and food truck also offer catering.

“We are excited about the opportunity to bring something different to our community. I hope we make Aunt Tina proud,” Tony commented.

To learn more about Aunt Tina’s, visit www.aunttinaskitchen.com.