There are dozens of ways to honor Black culture in our city, and one of the easiest is to order from a local Black-owned restaurant. Black history and culture is an iconic and essential part of life in thet Bay Area. Be sure to uplift SF’s Black community every month of the year!
1. Tastebuds (Soul food-inspired)
Melvin and Helen Simmons started this soul food-inspired cafe to bring together great food, energy and music. Delicious food options include classics like chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and red beans and rice. Other more contemporary items include a pastrami and gouda sandwich, a breakfast burrito, and more.
Location: 600 5th Ave, San Francisco
2. Axum Cafe (Ethiopian)
Axum Cafe started out as a small coffee and tea shop, later growing into a popular Ethiopian restaurant in the mid 1990s. Menu items include sambusa (savory vegetarian pastry), lamb alicha (stew), and a variety of vegetarian and meat entrees.
Location: 698 Haight St, San Francisco
3. Z Zoul Cafe (Sudanese/Middle Eastern)
Aref and Dalia Elgaali opened this innovative Sudanese and Middle Eastern restaurant after moving to San Francisco in 2016. Food items include fuul mosalah (seasoned fava beans), zoul mezza (fried chickpea patties), roasted chicken and lamb, salatat dakua (peanut butter salad), roz billaban (rice pudding), and much more.
Location: 295 Eddy St, San Francisco
4. New Eritrea Restaurant (Eritrean/Ethiopian)
This restaurant serves up spectacular Eritrean and Ethiopian food, and is currently open for delivery. Enjoy items such as lentil, vegetable and meat sambusa, zebhi dorho (marinated chicken drumsticks), asa kilwa (sautéed catfish), alicha-ater (vegetarian chickpea puree), and dozens more!
Location: 907 Irving St, San Francisco
5. Voodoo Love (Creole)
This lively, sustainable Creole restaurant has dozens of beautifully plated dishes including the Pineapple Fo’ Yo Soul Bowl, the Hush Yo Mouth plate, smoked gouda mac and cheese, creole spiced baby back ribs, and more.
Location: 1710 Mission St, San Francisco
6. Sunset Cantina (Mexican)
This energetic cantina offers a large menu of Mexican and Latin American dishes including crispy carnitas, fresh ceviche, dry fried ribs, chicken tostadas, various taco options, elote, frozen tamarind rum punch, mezcal, and much more.
Location: 3414 Judah St, San Francisco
7. World Famous HotBoys
Get your fill of flavorful chicken in the form of hot sandwiches, packs of wings, tenders, and every combo you can think of. Sides include crinkle cut fries, beans, greens, cole slaw, and pimento mac and cheese! Yelp awarded them the #1 chicken sando in California, so you know they’re not messing around.
Locations: 1601 San Pablo Ave (Oakland), 1115 21st St (Sacramento)
8. Souley Vegan
You won’t believe their whole menu is plant-based, as it’s totally packed with Louisiana Creole flavor. Try their breaded zucchini croquettes, Louisiana hot links and mushrooms, mac & cheese skillet, and seitan and waffles.
Locations: 475 6th St (SF), 301 Broadway (Oakland)
9. Don’t Be Chick’n
Here’s an epic vegan food truck with flavor that packs a punch! Don’t Be Chick’n encourages customers to not be “chick’n” and embrace themselves for who they are. Here you’ll find spectacular comfort food including an amazing classic chicken sando, peach cobbler beignets, garlic toast, and an amazing sandwich selection.
Location: Follow on Instagram at @dontbechickn for food truck locations
[Featured Image: Instagram / @voodoolovesf]