Five Black Owned Restaurants to Try this Fall

By Dalila Thomas

So the summer's over and tis' the season for comfort food (hey, a girl's gotta eat!) And whether you're traveling, or looking for a new spot to try in your own backyard, there's no time like the present to indulge. And why not give back to our people while to doing so. Here are five black owned restaurants around the country that are worth every cent of your hard owned dough.

Chocolat Restaurant Lounge – Harlem, NY 

Photo: Chocolat 

This restaurant is just as sweet as it sounds. Describing themselves as urban and sophisticated, Chocolat Restaurant Lounge offers an array of eats. From entrees like jerk chicken and the “Big-Ass” burger topped with a fried egg. To brunch bites like fish croquettes and grits, and their famous red-velvet pancakes. Nom!

Rudy’s Chicken – Dallas, TX

Photo: D Magazine/Matt Shelly

If you ask anyone in Dallas where to go for good chicken it’s likely you’ll get the same answer: Rudy’s. This cash only, Big D staple is known for their crispy fried goddess, just remember to ask for the special seasoning. More importantly be prepared to wait. There’s hardly ever a time when the line isn’t wrapped around the building. But it’s worth every second, minute, hour!

Dream Cafe and Grille - Chicago, IL

Photo: Dream Cafe and Grille

This eatery, located in Chi-town’s Englewood neighborhood, is offering more than delicious dishes, they’re serving up some food for thought. The mission for these made to order meals are to make the community healthier. From turkey burgers, to salmon bisque soup, to eggrolls, Dream Café and Grille is open six days a week – with hopes making long-lasting changes.

Busy Bee Café - Atlanta, GA

Photo: Busy Bee Café

Busy Bee Café in Atlanta has been around for decades and has seen quite a few famous faces. From civil rights leaders, to sports figures, to actors, Busy Bee has fed them all. And it’s not hard to see why. The soul food spot has and array southern classics like smothered chicken, black-eyed peas, chitlins, greens, and the “Joe Lewis” hamhocks. Eat up ya’ll

Mo Better Burgers - Los Angeles, CA

Photo: Thrillist

With a name that gives a nod to Spike Lee’s ‘Mo Better Blues”, this burger spot on La Brea Ave. has been around during some tough time for African-Americans including the LA Riots. But as the world has (somewhat) evolved , o has the restaurant. Offering the classics burgers, from those that are topped with avocado and free-range egg. It can’t get any ‘no better’ than that.

From southern fried to health conscious, from a 2-piece to pieces of history. These spots are sure to fill more than your stomach. They’ll fill your soul.

Photo: Chocolat Restaurant