Black owned restaurants
- newyorker
- Feb 26, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 14, 2021
February is Black History Month so why not go out and support a local black owned restaurant to celebrate and enjoy the last weekend of restaurant week?! While the black community should be celebrated everyday and not solely for a month, it's a good opportunity to go and support black owned restaurants.
This year has been rough for all restaurants but especially black owned restaurants. Not only have they dealt with the pandemic impacting their communities at increased rates, but also the deaths of innocent black lives like George Floyd, Breana Taylor, and many more. Data online shows that many black owned restaurants are closing in NYC so it's an important time to take action. A reminder that the support for the Black Lives Matter movement should not just consist of posting a black square on instagram, but it should be about actively supporting the black community.
For my friend's birthday, I recommended Kokomo in Williamsburg. This is a relatively new black owned Caribbean restaurant in Brooklyn. The food, decor AND staff were phenomenal! For example, while we were waiting for the birthday girl to arrive, the staff gave us free hot chocolate to keep us warm outside since indoor dining wasn't allowed back then.
All the dishes I ordered were FLAVORFUL! I really enjoyed the Wah Gwann and Yardie Shrimp flatbread. Each bite was just SO tasty. l also ordered the jackfruit, and fish tacos. Although they were small, the yummy Caribbean flavor was still there. While they did have outdoor heaters, I will admit that it was still cold. Their outdoor dining area was full of lights creating a nice ambiance. Note that NYC indoor dining has resumed so hopefully that will not be an issue. According to their website, tables will be limited to 90 minutes and parties of 6 or more will have a 20% gratuity added to their bills. They also have a brunch menu.
Pictured: Fish Tacos
Insider Tip
Kokomo has Happy Hour Specials! The deals were great! The tacos and the flatbread I ordered were on their Happy Hour Special menu. I remember the tacos being $10. I would call to ask about what time the happy hour special is!
IMPT LINKS:
If you have already been to Kokomo, and you still want to look for other black owned restaurants, then I recommend you read my previous blog post where I talk about NYC Restaurant Week. On their website, they have a category where you can filter for black-owned restaurants. CLICK HERE TO SEE POST. NYC restaurant week has been extended to the end of February so enjoy this last weekend. I personally love Sylvia's in Harlem and a subscriber said the food from The Edge in Harlem was delicious. I have also read positive reviews about the food from Cecil's Steakhouse in Harlem. Additionally, there is also Harlem Restaurant week, which ends this weekend. Click here for link.
EatOkra is an app you can download to find black owned restaurants as well. I am also linking a website and google doc with lists of black owned restaurants all over NYC. If you click on the first link, you will find Veggie Castle in South Richmond Hill, Queens; it is one of my favorite vegetarian restaurants. THE VEGAN WINGS, MAC & CHEESE, BURGERS ARE MAGICAL. I also know that Seasoned Vegan in Harlem has great vegan soul food.
Let me know if you try out any of these black owned restaurants!
If you are interested in other ways to support the black community and continue the fight for racial justice. Click the link below to donate or sign petitions.
Stay safe.
Commentaires