It’s just three days until the start of the Black Restaurant Week Los Angeles, a culinary celebration similar to the bigger and better known DineLA Restaurant Week…but with a specific focus on Black-owned food enterprises (restaurants, chefs, pop-ups and food trucks), and spotlighting African, African-American and Carribbean cuisine.
According to a recent story in the LA Times, Black Restaurant Week began in Houston in 2016, when wholesale wine distributor Warren Luckett combined his love of food with his business acumen and a desire to boost Houston’s Black-owned food enterprises. He teamed up with digital marketing experts Falayn Ferrell and Derek Robinson to launch the event, which now has 10 participating cities in addition to the original in Houston. “My hope was to be able to use Black Restaurant Week as a medium to bring everyone to the table, from all walks of life, to showcase the city’s diverse Black food scene,” Luckett said in the Times story.
This year, more than 15 restaurants, chefs, pop-ups, and food trucks have signed up so far to participate in Black Restaurant Week Los Angeles (though more may be added). The celebration will run from Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 16. And with the recent focus on Black Lives Matters and racial justice issues, the timing seems particularly fortuitous to help raise the profile of African-American businesses and entrepreneurs…from community instutitions such as Harold and Belle’s to neighborhood favorites like Sky’s Tacos…and high-profile upscale dining standouts such as Post and Beam (recent winner of the LA Times’ Gold Award, honoring “culinary excellence and expanding the notion of what Southern California cooking might be”).
This year’s Black Restaurant Week also includes some fun activities, including a new bingo game. Save your receipts, fill out any row on the bingo card, and be entered to win gift cards and treats from your favorite restaurants.
Here are the establishments participating this year, some of which will be offering DineLA-style prix fixe menus, while others will offer special dishes or deals created just for the event. Also, please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions, all options are for pickup and/or delivery only.
Downtown, Hollywood & Central LA
(abeautifullife) Jamaican Cafe & Food Truck
216 S. Spring St.
Caribbean
Coco’s Lip-Smacking Cupcakes
Bakery & Dessert Food Truck (cupcakes, cakes & cookies)
Comfort LA
1110 E. 7th St.
“Soul food with a cleaner approach.”
numaade cafe
548 S. Spring St.
“Guilt free, delicious desserts and food” (sandwiches, wraps, salads, etc.)
Phat Birds: A Fried Chicken Joint
3705 Sunset Blvd.
Fried Chicken Pop-up
Sky’s Gourmet Tacos
5303 W. Pico Blvd.
Tacos, burritos, tostadas and more
The Vtree Hollywood (at Yamashiro)
1999 N. Sycamore Ave.
Vegetarian Soul Food
South
Fyrebird
15717 Crenshaw Blvd. (Gardena)
Chicken sandwiches, wings, tenders, and salads, tossed with house made sauces.
Gwen’s Specialty Cakes, Inc.
820 N. La Brea Ave. (Inglewood)
Bakery & dessert shop
Harold and Belle’s
2920 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Traditional Southern, Creole and Cajun
Post & Beam
3767 Santa Rosalia Dr.
Soul Food
The Wood Urbankitchen Barbecue
129 N. Market St. (Inglewood)
Barbecue
Valleys
1987 Juices
5609 Colfax Ave. (North Hollywood)
Smoothie and juice bar
Blaqhausnoho
11671 Victory Blvd. (North Hollywood)
Southern & Creole
Camille’s Culinary Creations
2417 W. Olive Ave. (Burbank)
Catering and artisan baker
The Memphis Grill
5759 Lankershim Blvd. (North Hollywood)
Barbecue
Ranch Side Cafe
11355 Foothill Blvd. (Sylmar)
American, Mexican and Ethiopian