Blog

On Chicago’s West Side, where grocery stores are scarce and food insecurity can run deep, Marine veteran and restaurateur Quentin Love is taking action. Through a grassroots GoFundMe campaign, he’s calling on the community to help raise $11,000 to sustain and expand his free meal programs, which have already fed tens of thousands from his […]

CHICAGO—There’s a flavorful revolution simmering on the South Side, and its roots are planted in more than just delicious vegan cuisine. At the helm is Chef Tsadakeeyah “Chef T” Emmanuel, co-owner of Majani, a beloved plant-based restaurant celebrating eight years of serving soulful vegan fare at 72nd and Exchange. Now, Chef T and his wife, […]

CHICAGO — I’ve been covering Chicago’s vibrant Black-owned business scene for years, but few stories are as sweet—and as inspiring—as that of Iesha Williams, the force behind Amaze Cakes on the South Side. Iesha opened her bakery in 2015 at 5020 S. Ashland Ave., and quickly earned acclaim. As Fox 32 Chicago noted during a 2023 segment, “Now […]

History is being baked and broadcast from Chicago’s South Side—thanks to a sweet combination of entrepreneurship, community pride, and a Marvel moment that’s turning heads. Brown Sugar Bakery, the beloved Black woman-owned dessert shop founded by Stephanie Hart in 2002, recently celebrated two major milestones: the opening of a new chocolate factory and a special […]

First, I heard about Pookie’s Crack Cake on social media from Chicago celebs, and I felt left out—how had I not been to a spot serving these now-famous, once-catered-only cakes? Then I saw they had taken over the iconic, now-closed, Black-owned Abundance Bakery, and I got excited. I even posted about their grand opening. But […]

As far back as middle school, I remember catching whiffs of smoky barbecue wafting from a little takeout joint near 64th and Stony Island as I waited for the 27 South Deering bus to take me to 78th and Exchange. I didn’t have much money, but hunger and curiosity pulled me in. For just a […]

Cheryl Nelson Brings Plant-Based Goodness to Richton Park and Chicago Avenue Sweet Vegan Bakes, the beloved vegan bakery founded by Cheryl Nelson, is embarking on an exciting expansion with two new locations—one still on Chicago Avenue in Old Town and a spacious, full‑service bakery-and-café in Richton Park. In an exclusive conversation with Black Chicago Eats, […]

After nearly a decade of serving up Southern staples in Lincoln Square, Luella’s Southern Kitchen has officially closed its North Side doors, marking the end of a beloved chapter in Chicago’s Black‑owned restaurant scene. Chef and owner Darnell Reed, known for honoring his great‑grandmother Luella’s Mississippi recipes, announced earlier this year that he would not […]

CHICAGO—Bronzeville’s signature summer celebration returns this year with vibrancy, culture, and commerce at the forefront. The 13th Annual Bronzeville Summer Nights—set for July 11, August 8, and September 12, 2025—promises lively, family-friendly evenings that uplift the South Side community’s proud heritage and entrepreneurial spirit. Produced by the Quad Communities Development Corporation (QCDC), the free public events run from 5 […]