As part of an ongoing series highlighting the small businesses that make Downtown San José a unique and vibrant destination, we are sharing the stories of the entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, and community builders who help shape downtown every day. 

Mommy’s Banh Mi, located at 86 N. Market Street, is one of those stories. 

The business began in 2019 as a food trailer, serving customers at farmers markets throughout Santa Clara County. Its very first market was the Rose Garden Farmers Market, where owner Curtis Lai started building what would become a loyal local following. From the beginning, his goal was simple: serve great food and build genuine relationships with the community. 

For Curtis, the inspiration began at home. Growing up, he learned to make bánh mì alongside his mother, an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for food and hospitality. What started as a family tradition eventually became Mommy’s Banh Mi, a business shaped by perseverance, adaptability, and care for its customers. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Curtis had to adapt quickly to keep the business alive. Mommy’s Banh Mi pivoted several times, operating out of a ghost kitchen, renting space inside a nightclub, and later serving customers from a bar. Each move came with challenges, but each also reflected Curtis’s determination to continue showing up for the people who supported the business. 

Curtis is a second-generation Vietnamese American, born and raised in San José. His parents immigrated to the United States from Vietnam in search of greater opportunities for their family. Growing up in San José allowed him to stay closely connected to his Vietnamese heritage while also being part of a diverse community that helped shape his perspective as both an entrepreneur and a business owner. He credits his parents’ resilience, hard work, and sacrifices as a constant source of inspiration and as part of the values behind Mommy’s Banh Mi. 

After years of building a following across Santa Clara County, Mommy’s Banh Mi reached a major milestone in 2024 by opening its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Downtown San José. 

Choosing downtown for that first permanent location was an easy decision for Curtis. During some of the most difficult years of the business, the Downtown San José community continued to show up. Customers supported Mommy’s Banh Mi while it was operating out of temporary locations, including the bar and nightclub spaces that helped the business survive through the pandemic. That loyalty gave Curtis the confidence to keep investing in downtown and to build something more lasting. 

Opening at 86 N. Market Street was not just about finding a storefront. It was about putting down roots in the community that helped Mommy’s Banh Mi grow. 

Today, the restaurant serves office workers, residents, students, and visitors from across the Bay Area. It has also become a go-to stop during major downtown events, including NVIDIA GTC, this year's major sporting events, and other large gatherings that bring thousands of people into the urban core. The restaurant’s location has allowed it to experience positive spillover from nearby events and activations, bringing added energy, visibility, and foot traffic to its doors.

Curtis believes that great food is only part of the equation. Building relationships with customers and becoming part of the downtown community have been equally important to his success. He credits regular communication, updates, and support from the San José Downtown Association with helping him feel connected to the broader downtown business community. 

When major events come to Downtown San José, Curtis focuses on preparation and consistency. Ahead of recent NVIDIA conferences, he worked to ensure that both longtime customers and first-time visitors received the same quality experience. 

To help manage demand, Curtis has embraced technology and artificial intelligence tools to streamline operations, improve inventory management, and create a more efficient customer experience. Those investments have helped the business scale while maintaining the quality and service customers have come to expect. 

For Curtis, success is about more than sales. It is about creating a welcoming place, supporting the local economy, and contributing to the energy and vitality of Downtown San José. He hopes Mommy’s Banh Mi can continue bringing people together while playing a small part in downtown’s continued revitalization after the pandemic. 

Mommy’s Banh Mi is a reflection of entrepreneurship, family tradition, innovation, and community. What began with lessons in his mother’s kitchen has grown into a Downtown San José favorite, bringing people together one bánh mì at a time.