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player ready...America’s newest federal holiday, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and serves as a time to reckon with its legacy. It’s an occasion to celebrate Black achievement while also finding ways to fight income inequality and build new opportunities.
One way you can show your support this Juneteenth is by visiting Black-owned bars and restaurants around Chicago, which range from casual counter-service joints to fine-dining establishments and are spread across the city’s neighborhoods and the surrounding suburbs. Hopefully you’ll find some new favorites among these spots you can keep visiting all year long.
For more Black-owned restaurants, visit Black People Eats or check out the EatOkra smartphone app.
Downtown, North Side and Near North Side
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Tigist Reda brings dishes from her native Ethiopia to Uptown, serving family-style meals and samplers perfect for getting an introduction to the cuisine. It’s very friendly to vegetarians, serving hearty platters filled with lentils and stewed vegetables. You can also try her food at the Time Out Market. 4801 N. Broadway, 773-334-8787, demerachicago.com
Bocadillo Market
This Lincoln Park restaurant boasts ingredients inspired by Spain and the American South, with chef James Martin and co-founder and wife Jessica Neal at the helm. A charming cafe by day, Bocadillo Market pulls out all the stop for dinner, where paella, iberico pork and more delectable dishes delight. 2342 N. Clark St., 773-857-0331, bocadillomarket.com
Kitchen + Kocktails
Kevin Kelley brought his Dallas restaurant to River North in 2021, serving Southern comfort fare such as fried catfish, chicken and waffles and Cajun crab cakes paired with frozen cocktails. Make it a party by ordering a drink tower brought to your table with sparklers. 444 N. Wabash Ave., kitchenkocktailschi.com
Luella’s Southern Kitchen
Named for chef-owner Darnell Reed’s great-grandmother, who moved to Chicago from Mississippi in 1943, Luella’s is a casual counter service spot serving crispy buttermilk fried chicken, rich shrimp and grits, and fluffy beignets. The small space is especially packed during weekend brunch. 4609 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-961-8196, luellassouthernkitchen.com
West Side, Northwest Side & Near West Side
1308 Chicago
KDM Engineering co-founder Kimberly Moore opened this restaurant last July partially to serve her employees. The menu features vegetarian-focused spins on Southern comfort food such as carrots and grits and fried Brussels sprouts. 1308 N. Elston Ave., 773-658-3139, 1308chicago.com
CheSa’s Bistro & Bar
After getting her start with a food truck, chef Chesaree Rollins set up permanently in Avondale, serving a fully gluten-free menu of Creole and Cajun dishes. Come on the weekends for brunch, with a DJ on Sunday. 3235 W. Addison St., 773-754-8523, chesasbistro.com
Frontier
Two-time James Beard Award semifinalist Brian Jupiter is the executive chef and partner of this West Town spot, which takes inspiration for its menu, name and decor from the idea of having a wild adventure. Gather for dinner for dishes including elk sliders, venison cheesesteak and antelope Bolognese. 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-772-4322, thefrontierchicago.com
Ina Mae Tavern
Executive chef Brian Jupiter co-owns Ina Mae Tavern, and he’ll be celebrating Juneteenth on June 18 by serving his regular menu of dishes inspired by his native New Orleans alongside $10 Old-Fashioneds and $7 beers from Black-owned startup Funkytown Brewery. You can also catch live music from noon to 3 p.m. 1415 N. Wood St., 773-360-8320, inamaetavern.com
MacArthur’s
MacArthur’s owner and namesake Mac Alexander describes his cafeteria-style restaurant on the West Side of Chicago as Southern style, not soul food. Born and raised in Lexington, Mississippi, he specializes in comfort food like macaroni and cheese, fried chicken and radiant peach cobbler. 5412 W. Madison St., 773-261-2316, macarthursrestaurant.com
Soulé
Owner and head cook Bridgette Flagg opened Soulé in 2017 to share the Creole-infused soul food recipes she learned from her mother and grandmother, who came to Chicago from Mississippi. The welcoming spot serves up fried green tomatoes, catfish po’boys and peach cobbler with a signature punch that can be spiked with cognac or tequila. 3615 W. Roosevelt Road, 773-696-9485, soulechicago.com
South Side & Near South Side
Bell Heir’s BBQ
Takeout is the focus at the new spot from Luella’s Southern Kitchen veteran Tyris Bell, which offers Houston-style smoked turkey legs and big servings of rib tips alongside fried chicken wings. The restaurant also serves its barbecue brisket on top of pizza. 704 W. 47th St., 773-420-3685, bellheirsbbq.com
Bronzeville Winery
Wine brands owned by African Americans, women and other people from marginalized communities are the highlight at Bronzeville Winery, where they’re served alongside seasonal dishes incorporating locally grown ingredients. The space features a rotating art collection and regularly hosts live music and DJs. 4420 S. Cottage Grove Ave., 872-244-7065, bronzevillewinery.com
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Brown Sugar Bakery
Stephanie Hart was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for her Southern-style bakery, which offers cupcakes and slices of cake as well as custom orders and chocolates. It’s perfect for a special occasion or just a fun indulgence. 328 E. 75th St., 773-224-6262, brownsugarbakerychicago.com
Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern
Erick Williams named his sandwich shop for his aunt Daisy, who helped teach the chef about Cajun and Creole food. The space’s vibrant decor pays tribute to New Orleans, as does the food, which includes nine variations of po’boys along with fried chicken, seafood gumbo and sazeracs. 5215 S. Harper Ave., 773-675-8767, daisyspoboychicago.com
Flippin Flavors
This Beverly shop’s freshly made sandwiches, including a turkey hoagie and a Philly cheesesteak stuffed with freshly cooked sirloin steak and gooey provolone cheese, quickly garnered a following — and a win as Best New Restaurant in this year’s Tribune Readers’ Choice Food Awards. Husband and wife co-owners Linda and Brian Flippin opened mere weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic began, but customer support was a “blessing” that got them through the difficult time, Linda Flippin said. 1848 W. 95th St., 773-253-2680, flippinflavors.com
Lem’s B-B-Q
One of the oldest continuously operating barbecue spots in Chicago is still one of the best. Brothers Bruce and Myles Lemons founded Lem’s Bar-B-Q in 1954, eventually bringing in younger brother James, who helped to open the 75th Street location in 1968 that remains open to this day. Rib tips and an intensely seasoned sauce can’t be missed. 311 E. 75th St., 773-994-2428, lemsque.com
Lexington Betty Smokehouse
A former contestant on the Food Network’s “Chopped,” chef Dominique Leach took over Pullman’s One Eleven Food Hall with her wife to have more space to serve her barbecue. Favorites including rib tips with andouille sausage or smoked chicken and wagyu beef franks you can also buy at Mariano’s. 756 E. 111th St., 708-927-5614, lexingtonbetty.com
Mustard Seed Kitchen
Erick Williams’ takeout-only concept offers hearty fare such as chicken gumbo, chicken alfredo, glazed pork chops and double cheeseburgers served with hand-cut fries. For a sweet treat, grab a butter cookie or caramel cake from Brown Sugar Bakery. 49 E. Cermak Road, 312-326-0062, mustardseedkitchenchicago.com
Top This Mac N’ Cheese
Originally delivery only, the concept from Erick Williams and Damarr Brown is open for takeout next door to Mustard Seed Kitchen. Drop in for numerous versions on the signature dish topped with fried shrimp, crispy bacon, or beef and gravy. 51 E. Cermak Road, 312-326-3450, topthismacandcheese.com
Virtue
Virtue chef-owner Erick Williams became the first Black chef to win the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes last year, and chef de cuisine Damarr Brown took home the Emerging Chef medal last month. The restaurant focuses on Southern food by way of the Great Migration, with dishes including blackened catfish with barbecue carrots, biscuits with pimento cheese and pineapple upside down cake. 1462 E. 53rd St., 773-947-8831, virtuerestaurant.com
Suburban and multiple locations
Batter & Berries
The breakfast spot with locations in Lincoln Park and Olympia Fields is best known for its French toast flights, allowing customers to try blueberry, strawberry, lemon and caramel varieties. You can also start your day with a deconstructed omelet or biscuits with chicken sausage gravy. 2748 N. Lincoln Ave.; 3462 Vollmer Road, Olympia Fields; batterandberries.com
Black Horizon Brewing Co.
This microbrewery is constantly changing up its tap list of beers made on site, which you can enjoy while playing board games, foosball or classic video games. A few snacks are available to buy, but you can also bring your own food and relax with a pint on the patio. 7560 S. Quincy St., Willowbrook; 630-413-4964; blackhorizonbrewing.com
Hecky’s
Marking its 40th anniversary this year, Hecky’s has been an Evanston mainstay for generations. Rib tips have long been a fan favorite (in fact, Hecky’s won this year’s Tribune Readers’ Choice Award for Best Chicago-Style Barbecue), and while the restaurant will be closed Monday in celebration of Juneteenth, it’s worth a visit any time of the year. 1902 Green Bay Road, Evanston; 847-492-1182; heckys.com
Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream
Whether it’s a scoop of Melanin Magic chocolate or bourbon butter pecan, the custard at this Grand Boulevard neighborhood shop is sought out far and wide. A second location is open in Olympia Field as well, making it twice as easy to satisfy that sweet tooth. 46 E. 47th St., 773-675-4032; 3252 Vollmer Road, Olympia Fields; 773-675-4032; smhmicmenu.wordpress.com
Soul & Smoke
With locations in Evanston, Avondale and the West Loop, chef D’Andre Carter has earned a loyal following for his St. Louis-style barbecue. Order meat by the pound to feed a gathering, or just grab a quick meal with a pulled pork sandwich with apple slaw or the signature creamy macaroni and cheese. Multiple locations, soulandsmoke.com
Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken
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The Uncle Remus name came in 1969 from a sign left behind at a shop, which longtime owners Gus and Mary Rickette adopted as their own. Their daughter Charmaine Rickette now owns the business, and the oldest location on the West Side has evolved into an iconic institution with Chicago-style fried chicken that’s scratch-made, double-battered and extra crunchy, then drizzled or drenched in the singular condiment known as mild sauce. 737 E. 47th St., 773-692-4352; 5611 W. Madison St., 773-741-9119; 1801 Roosevelt Road, Broadview; 708-722-8238; uncleremususa.com
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.