An event highlighting various ethnic cuisines in Southern California that included over 60 Black Owned Restaurants. This event was presented by Socal Gas and supported by Sysco, Dine Black Los Angeles, 93.5 KDay-FM Hip Hop Back in the Day and Power 106 FM. The event occurred from August 7-16, 2020 but this does not mean that you cannot continue to support Black Owned Restaurants throughout the rest of the year!
Small Businesses during this time of Covid-19 need support from the community. This is your time to explore various ethnic cuisines of Southern California: Soul food, American, Plant-based Soul food, Bakery Dessert Shops, Vegetarian, Caribbean, Ethiopian, Mexican Soul Food, Barbecue, Southern, Creole & Cajun, Cafe Coffee Shop, Halal, Northern Region African, Seafood, Eastern Region African and Juice Smoothie Bars.
Below are two of the restaurants that I had the chance to check out: Sky’s Gourmet Tacos and Sweet Blessings Eclectic Soul Food.
Sky’s Gourmet Tacos is Mexican food with a splash of Soul. Barbara Burrell is the founder of this 1992 establishment with creating fresh seafood meals located at three locations. Sky’s Gourmet Tacos offers breakfast, gourmet salads, burgers, nachos, tortas and vegan alternatives. first location: 5408 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles 90019. The second location: Marina Del Ray, Sky’s Gourmet Marketplace that offers high quality grab-n-go meals that also includes their signature famous gourmet tacos, groceries, Deli counter and even delivers to the boat slips! The third location: 358 W. 38th Street.
Below are one of the Famous Gourmet Shrimp Tacos, which comes with lettuce, coleslaw, tomato, cilantro, pico de gallo & Sky’s Sassy Sauce. The Gourmet Shrimp tacos were delicious, the shrimps were tender and the Sky’s Sassy Sauce was a flavorful addition to the taco. It will get messy but packed with taste!
Location: 5408 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles, Ca 90019
Photo by: HippieSrirachaGirl
Ordered with just lettuce, cilantro & Sky’s Sassy Sauce
Photo by: HippieSrirachaGirl
Sweet Blessings Eclectic Soul Food has been opened since last fall of 2019. The owner of this establishment is Katina Cyler along with her husband. They have traveled from Florida to kickstart this Soul food restaurant. During LA’s Black Restaurant week, I had the opportunity to meet Katina and she was warm in spirit and has a major passion for cooking authentic Southern food as well a showing casing local artists on the walls of her restaurant.
On August 16, 2020, Sweet Blessings hosted their very first art event, “A Night for the Culture” a partnership between ArtLoud LA + the restaurant. Held from 8pm-11pm with a $15 entry. Reserve your ticket on eventbrite.com This art event bridges a connection between talented black artists and the essence of tasty Southern food.
After having the Cluck and Surf Plate, I was beyond satisfied from the mildly sweet cornbread to the smoky greens and the Mac n’ cheese. Once I bit into the chicken thigh, the outer skin was extra crispy and not salty. To be honest, I could not wait another day to finish my Cluck and Surf Plate. The catfish was cooked to perfection and again not too salty. Will definitely go back to both Sky’s Gourmet Tacos and Sweet Blessings Eclectic Soul Food to explore other dishes on their menu.
Side of Mac n’ cheese and collard greens, cornbread and Jelly Sauce
Photo by: HippieSrirachaGirl
Side of Mac n’ cheese and greens plus cornbread
Photo by: HippieSrirachaGirl
Sky’s Gourmet Tacos and Sweet Blessings Eclectic Soul Food are just two of the Black Owned Restaurants who participated in LA’s Black Restaurant Week. Both are respectable establishments.
Below is a list of the restaurants that participated in the LA Black Restaurant Week of 2020. Do check these restaurants throughout the rest of the year and continue to support small business owners who are also Black Owned Establishments.
- Grilled Fraiche
- Black Bottom Southern Kitchen
- Buffalo Wild Wings – Carson
- Buffalo Wild Wings – Torrance
- Buffalo Wild Wings – Koreatown
- Mile High Cheesecake
- Hot and Cool Cafe
- Jerk Muva’s Creations
- Plate of Hue
- My Father’s Barbecue LLC
- Camille’s Culinary Creations
- Boketto Cold Brews LLC
- Bred’s Nashville Hot Chicken
- Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen
- Phat Birds
- Fyrebird
- Coco’s Lip Smacking Cupcakes
- Swift Cafe
- My Daddy’s Recipes
- Mel’s Fish Shack
- Honey Kettle Fried Chicken
- Darrow’s New Orleans Grill
- Simply Delicious Southern Creole Cuisine
- The Wood Urban Kitchen BBQ
- Blaqhausnoho
- Numaade Cafe
- Wut-A-Pickle
- Orleans & York Deli
- Harold and Belle’s
- Cafe Ruisseau
- Harriot’s Cheesecake Unlimited
- All Flavor No Grease
- Chipper & Cheeky
- Bayou Grille
- Who’s Hungry Caribbean
- The New Townhouse
- Undergrind Cafe
- R&R Breakfast Spot
- Devis Donuts and Sweets
- Simply Wholesome
- Seafood Xperience
- Billionaire Burger Boyz
- D Lo’s Kitchen
- Gwen’s Specialty Cakes Inc.
- Ranch Side Cafe
- 1987 Juices
- (abeautifullife) Jamaican Cafe + Food Truck
- Post & Beam Restaurant
- The Memphis Grill
- The Vtree Hollywood
- Comfort LA
Continue to Support Small Businesses.
Stay healthy and vigilant!
Thanks,
HippieSrirachaGirl