Chicago Culinary Gems: 6+ Must-Try Black-Owned Restaurants

At The Truth Traveller, I like to find the gems for you so you don’t have to do any research. All you have to do is show up. I find destination gems and activity gems, but in this particular instance, I mean the food gems. Chicago is full of them, and each time I visit the city, I make it a point to try three or four new restaurants, preferably black-owned. Chicago is a city in which you’ll find many Southern restaurants because The Great Migration brought the food I’m so accustomed to in Virginia up north. Dining at these restaurants always feels familiar in that way, but I also have come to expect and enjoy the surprises that evolution and a geographical change can bring to such classic and time-honored dishes.

1. Virtue

1462 E 53rd St. Chicago, IL 60615

Dining at Virtue Restaurant was more than just a meal for me. On a most recent trip to Chicago, it was the first restaurant I chose, and on a travel day, I think the first thing that is always on my mind is what I’m going to eat when I land. Reflecting on the experience, it felt like coming home in an entirely different city than where I live, and that is maybe what I loved most about it. From the first bite of cornbread and spoonful of gumbo to the last sip of a bourbon cocktail and immaculately flavored striped bass, I felt a connection to the heart that defines Southern cooking. You can make a reservation here.

2. Big Jones

5347 N Clark St. Chicago, IL 60640

Big Jones in Chicago is a dining experience that beautifully marries tradition with a fresh approach to Southern cuisine. Dining on some of your most quintessential Southern dishes like fried green tomatoes and biscuits with preserves on a quaint back patio felt like the warmth of summer restoring the right kind of nostalgic memories. You can make a reservation here.

3. Batter & Berries

2748 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60614

Batter & Berries reminded me of Waffle House but slightly more niche and of course Black-owned.

I was sold when I saw the french toast flight where you get four slices of french toast in strawberry, blueberry, lemon, and caramel flavors. Of the four, my favorite flavor was blueberry.

With that, I also ordered The Traditional, which comes with two eggs, B&B cheese crusted hash browns, which are incredible, and bacon.

I’m not usually one to eat a big breakfast, but Batter & Berries serves up a hearty breakfast that hit all the right notes—so much so that I ate the same thing two mornings in a row.

4. Ja Grill Hyde Park

1510 East Harper Court Chicago, IL 60615

At Ja Grill, I started with a Patty–golden and filled with perfectly seasoned curry chicken.

Since I had a taste of the curry chicken in the patty, I ordered the jerk chicken for my meal, a true Jamaican staple. These wings were dry-rubbed, marinated, and then finished on a charbroiler grill. I always like my chicken a little blackened so that final step made all the difference—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and flavorful all the way around.

With the chicken, you get your classic Jamaican sides—rice and peas, cabbage and carrots, and plantains. Oh, the plantains! I ordered a whole side plate of plantains because can you ever really have enough of them?

You can’t make a reservation at Ja Grill, but on a weekday afternoon or evening, you shouldn’t have any problems walking right in. You also always have the option to order and pickup.

5. Soule Chicago

3615 W Roosevelt Rd. Chicago, IL 60624

When I arrived at Soulé, a lovely Chicago boutique restaurant, the vibe was cozy and felt like the kind of place an author would describe in the romance novels I read. On a Wednesday, there were groups of girlfriends comparing midweek work stories and singing along to Usher, families gathered with small children, and couples whispering across the table to one another in relationship bliss.

Then there was me by myself. Interestingly enough, in a room of all black folks, I could be myself and never feel alone. The wait staff did an impeccable job of making me feel seen and reminding me that if I needed anything, to just give them a shout. This is the kind of service I love to experience at a restaurant.

Here’s the thing. I would have absolutely eaten everything on the menu, so how does one choose just one entree on a menu stacked with creole-inspired favorites? At a soul food restaurant, you can never go wrong with holy grail items like fried fish, mac n’ cheese and greens. I have almost never regretted that trio, so that’s what I went with.

You can make a reservation here.

6. Ina Mae Tavern

1415 N Wood St. Chicago, IL 60622

Ina Mae’s Tavern was recommended to me for New Orleans style food. I have to say I was skeptical because food in NOLA is truly incomparable, but the meal I had here sufficed. I ordered the fried catfish po’ boy and fries with a side of hot honey sauce and garlic butter sauce for dipping and then two delicious Arnold Palmers. It’s a small restaurant with a very homey feel, which is definitely my vibe, and the service was great. If you get a craving for NOLA inspired food while in Chi City then this may be an option for you. You can make a reservation here.