10 Trailblazing Black-Owned Fast-Casual Restaurants
One thing about Black folk, we gon’ eat, drink and be merry. Fast-casual dining provides innovative and high-quality cuisine with a relaxed, express dining aesthetic. With the rise of restaurants like Shake Shack and Smashburger, it was only a matter of time that Black chefs and restaurateurs took the modern eatery scene by force. Here are 10 fast-casual restaurants owned and operated by Black chefs that should absolutely be on your watch list:
With signature vegan burgers like the Sloppy Toppy™, Chik’N Head™ and Side Heaux™, Pinky Cole, CEO and Founder of The Slutty Vegan shook the world – and the table – in 2018 with the launch of her fresh to order food truck. When Slutty Vegan opened its doors to its first brick-and-mortar location, mindsets and conversations around Black Americans opened up to the possibilities of eating delicious and fresh, plant-based cuisine.
At Fieldtrip, rice is the Beyonce of the menu. Founded in 2019 by Chef JJ Johnson, Fieldtrip gives a community-based dining experience that celebrates rice as a global, cultural connection amongst most communities. Their concept is dope and accessible; where else can you get a fried chicken rice bowl or seafood gumbo for less than $15?! Not to mention, everything is made from sustainable, clean products paired with global flavors and techniques for an affordable price! Fieldtrip is definitely the Destiny’s Child of fast-casual restaurants in Harlem.
Let’s get into the pippin’ hot tea that is Prince’s Hot Chicken’s origin story, chile! Thorton Prince was a playa back in the day and his old lady was sick and tired of his shenanigans, so she spiked his chicken with hot peppers in an attempt to scorn his insides. But the gag was, to her dismay, Prince perfected the recipe and opened up a restaurant. As the original Nashville hot chicken shack, Prince’s has been sizzling chicken longer than McDonald’s has been flipping burgers, a true staple in Southern cuisine that is here to stay.
For the love of hip hop, R&B and pizza. Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria provides unique pizza offerings to underserved communities. Founded by three Tennessee State University grads, Slim & Husky’s community-driven model promotes job creation in North Nashville. It also locally sourced ingredients for their gourmet pizzas and local craft brews.
A New York-based juice bar and clean-eating kitchen, founded by rapper Styles P (aka one of hip hop’s favorite uncles), this franchise promotes plant-based nutrition in the Black community. From wheatgrass shots to spicy bean burgers, Tupac would be proud of this healthy, positive interpretation of juice.
When people say, “the streets don’t love nobody” they weren’t talking about Pimento Jamaican Kitchen. From a pop-up tent to Minneapolis’ Eat Street, the authentic Jamaican kitchen provides natural, local and pure ingredients that’ll make you forget you’re not actually on an island. Founder, Tomme Beevas, wanted to make Jamaican food as readily accessible as Mexican or Italian cuisine, so he led a grassroots movement to bring Jamaican food to Minnesota. The streets say thank you!
Located in a food hall dining environment, Soul Bowl is a build-your-own meal fast-casual restaurant offering traditional southern dishes like Fantasia fried chicken and waffles as well as flavorful vegetarian/vegan options. Chef Gerard Klass’ modern food concept reimagines soul food by using contemporary techniques to provide a convenient, familial dining experience.
Kale My Name Los Angeles is a collaboration between social media sensation Tabitha Brown and entrepreneur Nemanja Golubovic. The co-owners opened the LA location last Fall, providing some of the most innovative, veggie and vegan dishes in the country. Customers are lining up for dishes like Fried Avocado Tacos, Buffalo Cauliflower, and Jackfruit Wrap because that’s their business!-- (in the words of aunty Tabitha).
If you’ve never heard of gelato, think ice cream, but more silky and rich. Popbar offers delicious, and distinctive gelato with a twist. Founded by Charel and Jamaal Palmer, Popbar has over 30 franchise locations in the United States, Canada, Singapore, and Portugal, providing the best frozen desserts and gelato on a stick.
This family-owned fast-casual spot provides elevated, authentic West African style street food in Plano, TX. They hit the food scene in 2020 with sweet and savory pastries, delicate cuts of meat seasoned with powerful West African spices and tropical juices. A portion of their proceeds supports the Boxochops Foundation and its mission to prepare, motivate, and empower female small business owners and entrepreneurs in rural parts of Nigeria. Bomb food with a purpose?! Just take all of our coins already!
Some of the restauranteurs on this list are outpacing more traditional fast-food outlets in growth, innovation and community engagement. With sustainable, community centered values and operations, it’s only up from here for these trailblazing restaurants!
