How do Black-owned U.S. restaurants thrive in this industry? It takes community efforts, consistent quality, outstanding customer service and being in tune with the culture. These are some of the important values established by these 10 African American-owned restaurants in America with the most amazing reviews.
During the pandemic, these were some of the most at-risk businesses in the country. But these values helped them sustain themselves as cultural centers of their local communities. Supporting these businesses helps them persevere through financial, political and social inequalities. This also helps them keep their doors open so you can enjoy some of the most mind-blowing soul food in America.
10 Black Owned U.S. Restaurants with Interesting History and Rave Reviews
With roots dating back to slavery days and traditional Southern foods, these 10 Black-owned U.S. restaurants wrap together the culture of soul food together with comfort foods to keep customers coming back for more:
1. Ben’s Chili Bowl – Washington, DC
Established in 1958 by husband and wife, Ben and Virginia Ali, this Black-owned eatery is locally famous for its secret chili recipe. Combine an outstanding bowl of fresh, homemade chili with burgers, chili dogs, some tantalizing banana pudding and other American classics. This D.C.-area restaurant offers an old-fashioned feel with the warmth of comfort foods to fill your soul.
These days, locals and tourists can enjoy the company of 87-year-old Virginia as she greets her guests daily. She enjoys telling stories about the day Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ate at her eatery while talking about his dreams of a promised land for Black people.
Today, Ben’s Chili Bowl not only takes to-go orders but its products are also shipped nationwide.
2. Brenda’s Bar-B-Que Pit – Montgomery, AL
Looking for an excellent Alabama barbecue joint worth writing home about? Brenda’s Bar-Be-Que Pit is located on an inconspicuous, two-lane country toad. Back in the 1960s, protest organizers found it to be a wonderful place for secret gatherings.
The restaurant features a back garden where strategy meetings took place during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Jereline Bethune, the eatery’s founder also taught local Black people how to read and write so they could vote. Back in these days, they were required to pass literary tests to have the right to vote at the polls.
Today, with the help of her granddaughter, Donetta Bethune, Brenda’s Bar-B-Que Pit still offers famous ribs and pig ear sandwiches, enjoyed by both locals and occasionally tourists.
3. The Busy Bee Cafe – Atlanta, GA
Lucy Jackson opened this Atlanta restaurant in 1947. After some ownership changes over the years, it finally fell into the hands of Tracy Gates, its current owner. Gates went on to infuse more soul into the eatery, eventually transforming it into the “best fried chicken” spot in the ATL, known for serving famous customers like Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Located on Martin Luther King Drive, The Busy Bee Cafe is one of the oldest Black-owned U.S. restaurants holding the “minority-owned” title in the U.S. It’s the only one opened during segregation on this street that’s still open today. This makes it a pillar for the African American community when it comes to power, culture and wealth.
Today, it’s not only known for its delectable fried chicken, but it gets rave reviews for its peach cobbler and fried shrimp as well.
4. Dooky Chase’s Restaurant – New Orleans, LA
Established in 1941 by Dooky Chase Sr. and his wife, Emily, this New Orleans Black-owned restaurant started as a small sandwich shop. Soon, the establishment was left in the hands of their son, Dooky Chase Jr,. and his wife, Leah Lange Chase.
Freedom Fighters, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. used the upstairs area as a place to hold meetings during the Civil Rights Movement. Later, Dooly and Leah transformed it into a full-service Creole restaurant and historical landmark known for its amazing Creole food, civil rights events, culture, entertainment and music.
According to history, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant is one of the very first high-end Black-owned U.S. restaurants in America. Back in the day, African Americans could even cash their paychecks here while bumping into Reverend Abraham Lincoln Davis, Thurgood Marshall and other Civil Rights leaders holding secret meetings in the private second-floor Upper Room.
Today, this family-owned and operated fine dining eatery, houses an outstanding collection of African American art enjoyed by customers dining on mouthwatering Creole gumbo created by Leah, “The Queen of Creole Cuisine.”
5. Ezell’s Famous Chicken – Seattle, WA
Most people don’t think of Seattle when it comes to good ole’ fashioned Southern foods. But Ezell’s successfully put this West Coast city on the map with its made-from-scratch, golden fried chicken. Its been serving up comfort foods to the Seattle Seahawks and local students since 1984.
Ezell’s Famous Chicken made the news back in 1989 when Oprah Winfrey gave the chicken a try. She loved it so much that she personally flew its Black owners out to cater her private birthday party in Chicago that following year. She wrote a personal thank you note which is still displayed at the original location which reads:
“Ezell’s, I don’t know what I like more—the chicken or the sweet potato pie.”
Oprah Winfrey
Today, the Black-owned business includes 16 different locations, including a food truck throughout the Pacific Northwest region.
6. Harold & Belle’s – Los Angeles, CA
In September 1969, husband and wife, Harold and Mary Belle Legaux decided to bring their hometown roots to Los Angeles. Originally from New Orleans, they were determined to share their idea of Southern hospitality and Creole flavors with the City of Angels.
And that’s when Harold & Belle’s was born in the Jefferson Park district in the Crenshaw Community of L.A. It started as a small kitchen, locally famous for its beans and rice, file gumbo and po’boy sandwiches. After Harold passed, his grandson, Ryan Legaux, and his wife, Jessica, jumped in to help Mary Bell run the place, transforming it into a local hotspot for top-notch food, entertainment and family gatherings.
Today, the Black-owned restaurant includes a food trailer, an innovative private dining room, The Peacock Lounge banquet room and the Harold & Belle’s Creole Seasoning is now packaged and sold on the market.
7. Harold’s Chicken – Chicago, IL
Back in 1950, it was hard to get white owners to open restaurants in Black communities on the South Side of Chicago. And African American restaurants didn’t exist yet. That’s when Harold and Hilda Pierce saw the opportunity to tap into this underserved market and opened the Black-owned restaurant, Harold’s Chicken.
Filling this void not only gave locals an impressive place to eat Southern comfort foods, but the establishment eventually became one of only a few African American-owned franchises on the city’s south side. Starting off selling just dumplings and chicken feet, the menu eventually evolved. Now, the place is also known for its wings, chicken dinners and various sides and seafood.
Today, Harold’s fried chicken is still served fresh and “cooked to order” at 40 locations across the city of Chicago.
8. Raven Lounge and Restaurant – Detroit, MI
Around the mid-1900s, during the Great Migration, many African Americans were following their dreams of acquiring Black wealth by leaving the South for New York, California and other non-Southern states in search of better opportunities. Sam Watts and Myrtle Freeman were a part of these migraters, and that’s how they landed in Detroit.
There, they opened the Black-owned establishment in 1966 which quickly became one of Detroit’s oldest blues clubs. Throughout history, the eatery continued to persevere with several varieties of fresh-out-the-grease fried fish and other Southern favorites like cheesy mac and cheese and hot water cornbread.
Today, the Detroit’s Raven Lounge and Restaurant offers a lounge and bar, birthday celebrations, fundraising events and live performances each week.
9. Sylvia’s – New York, NY
Born and raised in Hemingway, South Carolina, Sylvia Woods had been cooking up soulful comfort foods since she was six years old. One day, she and her husband, Herbert woods, decided to look for a better life in Harlem, NY. She quickly found a job as a waitress, which ended up completely changing her life when her boss pass the business down to her.
And that’s when Sylvia’s was born as a Harlem restaurant, owned and operated by a Black woman. Soon, she was dubbed the “Queen of Soul Food,” thanks to recipes passed down to her from generations back and her South Carolina Southern hospitality. The restaurant itself became a local and tourist spot where customers enjoyed her “World Famous Talked About Bar-B-Que Ribs.”
Today, even though Woods died in 2012, her kids and grandkids operate the now expanded Sylvia’s restaurant which extends along a block currently named Sylvia P. Woods Way.
10. This Is It! Soul Food – Houston, TX
Opened by Frank and Mattie Jones in 1959, This Is It! Soul Food is a Houston-based Black-owned restaurant that’s true to its name. It was eventually passed down to his grandson, Craig Joseph, who was inspired to follow its original principles of continuing public acceptance, never forgetting where you come from, always protecting your own wealth and sharing it with family and friends.
Locally famous for its Southern cuisine, Houston This Is It Soul Food is known for its mouthwatering black-eyed peas, oxtails, chitterlings, ham hocks and smothered pork chops. The establishment has an array of meats, side dishes, desserts and drinks on both the restaurant and catering menus.
Today, after major renovations, the African American-owned restaurant features large, private rooms for catering events, community gatherings and business meetings.
Get More Recommendations for Black-Owned U.S. Restaurants
Looking for more soulful restaurant recommendations for your traveling needs. You can find more information on these Black-owned U.S. restaurants and more like them on melaninfoodie.com.
