A growing guide to Black-owned restaurants and food businesses in the South Sound

In this current wave of protests against institutionalized racism following the death of George Floyd and Manuel Ellis — and other Black men and women — at the hands of police, readers of The News Tribune and in communities across the country have sought an avenue of support beyond simply posting a message of solidarity.

Supporting Black-owned businesses is one way to not only put money in the hands of those who run and work in these spaces but to also delve into deeper conversations of structural racism.

“We can’t get too preoccupied that business development will be the ultimate answer to the critical issues,” said Marcia Chatelain, professor of history and African American studies at Georgetown University. “If people want to order takeout to support a black-owned business, or try to be really discerning about the vendors that it uses in its own business, I think that’s perfectly fine and it’s laudable.”

But money alone won’t eradicate the obstacles the Black community continues to face.

“After the transaction, the time is always right to ask questions about the structure,” said Chatelain.

Are local banks offering loans to business owners and homebuyers? How do local tax policies affect what kinds of businesses enter certain neighborhoods, and who owns them? Do the nearby schools have valuable resources?

In short, she said, we should be asking, “What are the consequences not just for that business but for every person that lives in that neighborhood?”

This guide is by no means comprehensive, nor is it the only one, and TNT Diner and The News Tribune welcomes reader suggestions. We hope it can become a dynamic resource for the South Sound community to support some iconic Black-owned restaurants and some creative Black entrepreneurs.

There are mainstays like Ezell’s Famous Chicken, first opened in 1968 by Lewis Rudd and Faye Stephens in Seattle, now with 15 locations and two food trucks.

There are hot sauce makers, spice blenders and bitters purveyors using Pacific Northwest ingredients.

There are bakers whipping up everything from cupcakes and cookies to cotton candy.

There are Cajun pros and barbecue aficionados.

There are musicians cooking soul food and urban farming specialists.

To start, we reached beyond Pierce County and into south King County, and even onto Vashon Island. The idea, after all, is to encourage exploration, and to start a conversation.

To connect with other Black-owned businesses, the Tacoma Urban League maintains a Black business directory, which The News Tribune recently profiled. The Eat Okra app is another useful resource for finding Black-owned restaurants across the country, including in the Puget Sound.

Know a restaurant or food business to add? Send tips to ksherred@thenewstribune.com, or message TNT Diner on Facebook, Twitter @tntdiner and Instagram @tnt_diner.

Altha’s Cajun Spices & Deli

▪ 201 E Meeker St., Kent, 253-719-2242

▪ Cajun eats from a Louisiana native, plus retail spices, sausage and meats, including alligator and frog legs. Second store in Puyallup opened in August 2021 but closed in 2022.

Beau Legs Fish ‘N’ Chip

▪ 8765 Tallon Lane NE, Lacey, 360-915-6328

▪ Cajun and Creole mainstays, plus rare finds such as wild turtle soup

Bite Me, Inc.

▪ 3827 100th St. SW, Lakewood, 877-532-2483

▪ Wholesale cookie baker that supports women and immigrant empowerment with every sale. Look for Friday’s Cookies and Bite Me Cookies on store shelves, though she also bakes private label that would carry the retailer’s brand.

The Bleu Note Restaurant & Lounge

▪ 6008 Mt. Tacoma Dr. SW, Lakewood, 253-433-3974

▪ Jazz lounge with Cajun fare and Carolina-style BBQ owned by an Army vet

Bob’s Bar-B-Q Pit

▪ 911 S. 11th St., Tacoma, 253-627-4899

▪ Family-fun barbecue from the Clark brothers, with recipes from their grandparents

Boss Hog BBQ

▪ 10835 E. Marginal Way S., Tukwila, 206-661-4716

▪ Barbecue and seafood inspired by family recipes, with catering available

Buddy’s Chicken & Waffles

▪ 3709 S. G St., Tacoma, 253-201-1550

▪ Hand-breaded chicken and waffles in various flavors served all day in Tacoma’s Lincoln District

Campfire Coffee

▪ 1554 Market St., Tacoma, instagram.com/welovecampfire

▪ Wood-fired coffee roaster with a social justice mission to get kids outside. Owners Quincy and Whitni Henry began selling coffee and swag in early 2020 and opened their downtown Tacoma cafe later that year. A second location downtown is in the works, along with a larger roastery.

Dat Creole Soul

▪ Food truck based in Des Moines, 206-379-1513

▪ New Orleans mainstays like étouffée, red beans and rice, po’ boys and beignets, plus boudin, alligator stew, crawfish mac and cheese and jalapeño hushpuppies

DND Soul Cuisine

▪ 308 E. 26th St., Tacoma, 253-625-5373

▪ Southern specialties, including cornmeal-crusted snapper, pork chops and po’boys in casual dining room

Dowd’s BBQ

▪ Mobile and catering only, 253-830-2086

▪ The Dowd family ran a restaurant on Steele Street in Parkland until recently, but they are still available for catering and occasionally pop-up in their truck.

Essence Lounge (closed)

▪ 3829 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-503-0276

▪ Southern recipes mixed with Puerto Rican and Peruvian flavors. After a fire, the restaurant closed in 2022.

Ezell’s Famous Chicken

▪ 1902 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253-572-4277

▪ 2020 South 320th St., Federal Way, 253-429-2634

▪ 25616 102nd Place SE, Kent, 253-854-4535

▪ Nearly four decades of family meals, now with 15 locations around Washington

Fergie’s Smokehouse

▪ 505 182nd St. E, Spanaway, 253-359-8989

▪ Full-service caterer with Kansas City-style barbecue, including smoked BBQ chicken, pulled pork and ribs, plus brisket. The family-run business accepts pre-orders for pickup and hosts occasional pop-ups.

The Fish House Cafe

▪ 1814 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253-383-7144

▪ Daytime destination for fish and chips, fried shrimp, burgers, and mac and cheese

Garden Gourmet Salads

▪ 1623 E. 72nd St., Tacoma, 253-433-3736

▪ Fresh salads and grain bowls packed with veggies and drizzled with homemade dressing, plus soups, smoothies and sweets like chocolate energy truffles from chef-owner Nyesha Jones

Garden of Eden Urban Farming

▪ Vertical grower and farm training program for young adults, partnered with Maxine Mimms Academy and the Latino Educational Training Institute

▪ Purchase produce (right now, limited to microgreens) online with free local delivery

Go Philly Cheesesteaks & Wings

▪ 1402 Tacoma Ave. S, Tacoma, 253-572-3000

▪ 7421 Custer Road W., Lakewood, 253-449-3100

▪ A dozen varieties of the East Coast sandwich, plus wings and fried fish galore

Gotti Sweets

▪ 422 Legion Way SE, Olympia, 360-489-1780

▪ Custom cakes by appointment, plus a variety of sweets for sale Fridays and Saturdays

Gravy Vashon

▪ 17629 Vashon Highway SW, Vashon, 206-661-7629

▪ New American cuisine with Southern and French influences from chef Dre Neeley. Currently open for pre-order takeout on weekends.

HamHock Jones Soul Shack

▪ 6101 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Tacoma, 253-888-7600

▪ Food truck from the affable Bobby Shorts serving generous portions of fried fish and shrimp, cheesesteaks and burgers with live music on Friday and Saturday, weather permitting

Hot Babe Hot Sauce

▪ Find at farmers markets (Tacoma/Ruston and Broadway, Olympia, Seattle/Ballard) and at retailers including Tacoma Boys, Marlene’s Market and Olympia Food Co-op. You can also order online.

▪ Caribbean flavors from locally grown Scotch Bonnets, Scorpions, habaneros and more

Hot Fish House

▪ 3926 100th St. SW, Lakewood, 253-433-3974

▪ Southern food with favorites like fried catfish, po’boys and collards, plus turkey legs

Intentions Juice & Smoothie Bar

▪ 5236 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253-301-4890

▪ Made-to-order juice, smoothies and smoothie bowls, plus Campfire Coffee on drip

KJ’s Cakery Bakery

▪ 204 Central Ave. N #102, Kent, 253-277-2516

▪ Cupcakes, cake pops, cotton candy and more sweet treats at the shop, plus custom cake orders with clever flavor combos like Chocolate Sriracha

Lizzie Lou’s Comfort Food & Lizzie Lou’s Too

▪ 2302 Pacific Highway E. (inside Destination Harley Davidson), Fife, 253-284-4611

▪ Food truck, cafe and caterer known for catfish, Crab Crackin’ Fries and Soul Rolls

Love by the Slice

▪ 1112 S 11th St, Tacoma, 253-588-2253

▪ Bakery featuring cupcakes and cakes in an array of flavors, like Luscious Lemon and Dreamy Coconut, plus cookies and pound cake. Cassandra Williams also accepts custom orders.

Mason’s Cheesecake Co.

▪ Find at the Puyallup Farmers Market on Saturdays. You can also order online for shipping in Washington, California, Oregon and Idaho.

▪ Two dozen flavors of cheesecake, from peppermint and pumpkin spice to mango cream and peanut butter cup, plus vegan varieties

Melon Seed Deli

▪ 3807 Center St., Tacoma, 253-279-0029

▪ Large menu of salads, sliders with everything from cold cuts to BBQ pulled pork and jambalaya, plus playful snacks including cheesy bread and Cool Ranch Dorito nachos. Frozen yogurt bar and other fun desserts, too.

Mr. Texas Barbecue

▪ Find at Tacoma Farmers Markets, Central Co-op, Tacoma Boys, Harbor Greens and other select stores, or order online

▪ Lakewood-based producer of all-natural barbecue sauce, seasonings and snacks. Owner Lorraine Stone donates a portion of proceeds to The Big Homie Program.

My Philly Tacoma

▪ 4314 Portland Ave. E, Tacoma, 253-301-2022

▪ Massive, juicy cheesesteaks and chicken cheesesteaks, plus veggie option, from the Moffett family on the Eastside

Nana’s Southern Kitchen

▪ 10234 SE 256th St., Kent, 253-243-6711

▪ Southern favorites, including sides like string beans and cabbage, with rotating desserts

Olive Branch Cafe & Tea Room

▪ 2501 E. D St., Tacoma, 253-961-7600

▪ Cozy locale for tea and lunch decorated with antique finds inside Freighthouse Square

Only Oatmeal Cookie Creations (closed)

▪ Point Ruston storefront coming soon (previously at farmers markets), and order online

▪ Refreshed oatmeal cookies baked by Karina Blasco in an array of flavors, from peanut butter and chocolate chip to caramel apple, toffee almond and white chocolate macadamia nut. The business closed in 2022 largely for personal reasons.

Quickie Too

▪ 1324 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253-572-4549

▪ Vegan comfort food, including house-smoked tofu burgers to seitan hoagies, from a mother and daughter duo in a standalone building in the heart of Hilltop

Reverend Al’s Bonafide Potents

▪ Find at the Proctor Farmers Market, or order online

▪ Bitters, tinctures and shrubs for cocktails and sodas, made with PNW and Fair Trade ingredients

Rusty Goat Beer & Coffee

▪ 712 Opera Alley, Tacoma, instagram.com/rustygoat4beerandcoffee

▪ Laidback taproom featuring PNW beers and local coffee in cafe setting, plus Japanese okazu pan

Southern Kitchen

▪ 1716 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-627-4282

▪ Longstanding destination for Southern specialties in an intimate dining room with familial, memorable service

Super Mario’s Kitchen

▪ 6712 Kimball Dr., Gig Harbor, 253-880-9327

▪ Health-focused cafe with hearty bowls, wraps, gluten-free and vegan snacks, plus bone broth

Uncle Lyman’s BBQ Pit

▪ Food truck based in Tacoma

▪ Barbecue specialist serving ribs, Cajun prawns, smoked chicken and pork chops

Uncle Thurm’s Soul Food (closed)

▪ 3709 S. G St., Tacoma, 253-475-1881

▪ Soul food and Cajun cooking with occasional buffets, plus live jazz every Friday and R&B tunes Saturday

This story was originally published June 14, 2020 at 7:00 AM.