Black Restaurant Week: 16 Black-owned Seattle restaurants, breweries to support

Seattle foodies have an extra reason to order out or head to a local restaurant this week, as Feb. 19-28 is the Pacific Northwest's inaugural Black Restaurant Week (BRW) — a culinary campaign started in Houston in 2016 to celebrate the unique flavors of African-American, African and Caribbean cuisine.

The event has since gone nationwide to include 800 restaurants, and hits Seattle this week for its first-ever installation. The goal of the campaign is to promote local Black-owned restaurants, especially amid the economic impacts of COVID-19 that has forced over 90 restaurants in the city to close.

Nationwide, the rates of closure are significantly higher for Black-owned businesses: since the start of the pandemic, 41% of Black-owned businesses have shuttered compared to just 17% of white businesses.

"We had phenomenal success last year with the regional campaigns and wanted to continue that model to help businesses nationwide," said Black Restaurant Week Founder Warren Luckett in a news release. "There were so many testimonials from restaurant participants of how this campaign helped keep their doors open."

Along with supporting these businesses, the campaign has a philanthropic goal as well: the nonprofit arm of BRW has paired with Grubhub to offer $10,000 grants to restaurant owners, an emergency fund to help restaurants reopen, and scholarships for marginalized hospitality management college students.

Some restaurants in the region will be offering special prix-fixe menus for the occasion. From cozy comfort food to Caribbean fare, here's a look at Black-owned restaurants to support in Seattle.

Altha’s Louisiana Cajun Seasoning & Spices & Deli, Kent

Authentic Louisiana Creole and Cajun cooking has a much-loved outpost in Kent that is worth the drive: Altha's. With a deli-service counter, the eatery features classics like crawfish, catfish and oyster po boys along with sides of hush puppies. It's also one of the only places in the Emerald City where you can get an authentic boudin — French sausages.

While you're there, be sure to pick up a selection of their spices and fish fry seasonings to bring some comfort to yours own kitchen.

Cheech 'N Changas

The chimichangas from this popular food truck promise to be "love at first bite," and it's sure to be a crispy one.

The truck will be offering a special 4-pack menu and frozen options featuring jambayla, lumpia and cheesesteak-inspired changas, proving there is no limit to how creative you can get with a chimichangas.

Comfort Zone, Columbia City

With food like hush puppies, shrimp po boys and seafood gumbo, this quaint spot is feeding the soul with Cajun-style comfort food, perfect for those gloomy days when you need cheering up with a hearty meal.

The restaurant is featuring a self-gratifying promotion all month long: 5% off your walk-in or takeout order when you compliment their snazzy new website.

Conscious Eatery, Georgetown

Pick up your next lunch at this Georgetown eatery and help a philanthropic mission: the restaurant donates meals to those in need in Seattle to fight hunger and homelessness.

The restaurant also sources their food locally, making it taste even better knowing it was made close to home.

Delish Ethiopian Cuisine, Hillman City

If you're searching for authentic Ethiopian dishes like kitfo — chili-seasoned prime beef served with feta — or spicy red lentil soup, this South Seattle spot has you covered. Be sure to add an order of injera flatbread to scoop up all those flavors.

For BRW, the eatery is offering a discount of combo specials including a $17 veggie combo and $32 meat and veggie platter.

Grandma's N Da Kitchen, Everett

Just like your actual grandmother, Grandma's N Da Kitchen does not skimp on portion size. Hefty plates of barbecue ribs and fried catfish with sides of okra and creamy mashed potatoes will leave you full and satisfied.

But before you fill up, be sure to leave some room for their homemade Southern-style desserts like the Alma T orange cake.

Island Soul Rum Bar and Soul Shack, Columbia City

With one of Columbia City's best happy hours, Island Soul is the perfect spot to indulge in some cocktails and pretend you are on "island time."

With over 30 different kinds of in-house rum and bites like oxtail stew, snapper and gumbo, Island Soul effortlessly fuses Caribbean and Southern comfort fare into something totally unique.

Jebena Cafe, Northgate

For those in North Seattle, Jebena Cafe is a well-known spot for over 10 years for dishes like beef, chicken and lamb tibs at an extremely affordable price. The spot also serves gluten-free injera for those with dietary restrictions that still want to enjoy the spongy flatbread.

Jerk Shack, Belltown

A born and raised Seattleite, Chef Trey Lamont of Jerk Shack is well known in the Emerald City's food scene for serving up a new, modern take on Caribbean food. From jerk-spiced fried chicken, jerk-smothered ribs and Cuban pork belly, this spot is any meat lovers paradise.

JuneBaby, Salare and Lucinda Grain Bar

Believe the hype: two-time James Beard Award-winning chef Edouardo Jordan's restaurants all create unique culinary wonders. His Soul of Seattle event, which highlights Black chefs from around the city in cooking classes and livestreams, is still ongoing during the month of February.

"BIPOC-owned restaurants have been hit the hardest and the Soul of Seattle is here to do fulfill our mission: to highlight and support the Black Chefs, restaurants, and businesses in Seattle, as well as to build community around the Black Excellence so prominent here," Jordan said.

Métier Brewing Company, Woodinville

Head over to Woodinville to snag cans or growlers filled of Metier's Almond Joy-flavored Coconut Porter or hoppy Trailblazer Pale Ale.

As one of the few Black-owned breweries in the state, Metier has a focus on supporting other Black businesses and artists, many of which are displayed on their can art or walls of their taproom.

Nana's Southern Kitchen, Kent

If Southern bites like crispy fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread and catfish are calling your name, the family-owned Nana's in Kent is the place to be.

The restaurant will be offering a one main course and one side special for just $13 for BRW, meaning you can mix and match comfort food items to your heart's content.

Plum Bistro, Capitol Hill

Plum Bistro is an upscale, vegetarian restaurant on Capitol Hill with a menu focused on using organically-grown, seasonal vegetables as well as other local fruits and herbs from family-owned farms.

Favorites include their their classic reuben with "tofu strami" on rye and the famed vegan "Mac and Yease" as well as other classic comfort foods like vegan chicken and waffles. The highly-acclaimed restaurant will impress vegans and non-vegans alike.

Simply Soulful, Central District

With recipes that date back to 1922, Simply Soulful is well loved in the Central District for their generous platters of chicken wings, oxtail and red beans and rice. They also serve up breakfast all day, perfect for those late risers.

The restaurant also offers homemade sweet potato pies and tarts to bring a slice of their tried-and-true recipe back home.