Updated February 2025
February marks Black History Month, and what better time to highlight where you can support Black-owned businesses while eating some bomb food in Portland.
photo: dirty lettuce
4727 NE Fremont St.
When you chose that plant-based lifestyle, you may have thought you'd accepted a future without BBQ. Dirty Lettuce, a vegan soul food cart turned brick and mortar has filled the craving for items such as BBQ Ribs, cornbread, and even fried catfish. The Mississippi-born owner aims to create sustainable dishes amplified both by southern roots and an Environmental Studies background. Make sure to get a full plate to taste a variety of flavors.
photo: assembly brewing
6112 SE Foster Rd.
Oregon's first black-owned and operated brewery, Assembly founder George Johnson studied through the American Brewers Guild and completed Intensive Brewing Science and Engineering courses. Assembly also specializes in mouth-watering Detroit-style pizza. Johnson trained under award-winning chef Shawn Randazzo who passed down varying versions of his family recipe to an elite circle before passing away in 2020.
photo: baes chicken
255 SW Ash St.
If you're a fan of fried chicken, you've heard of BAES. The self-described no-frills chicken joint has perfected the simple yet effective menu by offering the classic fried chicken sandwich with aioli and pickles. Depending on your hunger level, you can choose between a 3-piece, 5-piece, or 10-piece bird with wings, thigh, breast, and leg included. Stop by on Wednesdays to get chicken and waffles for lunch and indulge in a spiked slushie.
photo: third eye books
2518 SE 33rd Ave.
Portland's only African-centered bookstore, Third Eye Books, is focused on supporting community gatherings and organizations in hopes of restoring cultural pride and empowerment among Black Portland residents.
photo: plant based papi
Plant Based Papi
Pop-up exclusive
Run by Chef Jewan Manuel, Plant-Based Papi has solidified itself as a beloved vegan staple over the past several years. While being extremely popular in the food scene, you won't find a brick-and-mortar. Stay up to date with him on Instagram!
photo: akadi
1001 SE Division St.
Akadi means "tasty" in Bambara, the native language in Cote D'Ivoire. Chef Fatou Quattara opened the West African restaurant in 2017 after noticing it had been missing from the Portland food scene. Akadi creates dishes from different parts of Africa such as Ivory Coast, Senegal, Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, and more. Quattara learned to cook with clay ovens, wood fire, and traditional spices while visiting her grandmother in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso which inspired her vision to mimic a community gathering space similar to the one she grew up in.
photo: aardvark tattoo
14804 SE Powell Blvd.
Aardvark Tattoo specializes in custom designs that are drawn up to tailor each client's specific vision. The artists strive to eliminate the discrimination and artist ego that plagues some tattoo shops and bring the wants and needs of the client to the forefront. Owner Risa Stevens has been featured on Tattoo Titans and Ink Master Angels.
photo: deadstock coffee
408 NW Couch St.
Portland's stellar coffee reputation is undisputed and plays largely into the community. That's why former Nike employee Ian Williams decided to leave sneaker culture for the coffee game. Mixing sneakers and coffee? It's going better than you'd think. An admitted coffee novice, Williams found that the science of coffee quenched his passion for product design. Inside, you'll find vintage sneaker ads and sports photography covering the walls.
photo: trap kitchen
8 NW 6th Ave.
West Coast culinary empire known as Trap Kitchen began when Malachi "Spank" Jenkins and Roberto "News" Smith started cooking out of Smith's grandmother's kitchen in Oakland. The celebrity-connected food truck has found its Portland home inside Roseland Theater, where rapper Mikey Vegaz, who runs the Portland branch, performed when he first started touring. By selling baskets of fried chicken and teriyaki pineapple bowls, Trap Kitchen has catered parties for Snoop Dog and Kendrick Lamar.
photo: green muse
5515 NE 16th Ave.
Formerly known as Green Hop, Green Muse is the first hip-hop dispensary. The mom-and-pop shop provides quality cannabis at every price point and strives for the unification of music, art, and culture through cannabis. They offer 20 percent off on tinctures, topicals, edibles, and CBD products on Soul Sundays. They also deliver!
photo: Nacheaux
Changes Daily
Chef Anthony combined "nacho" with the French Creole "eaux" sound to name his Mexican-southern fusion restaurant Nacheaux. The fried chicken mac burrito alone is enough to put you in a food coma alone. The menu has various crunch wraps, nachos, po'boys, and a smash burger. Don't sleep on grabbing lunch on Wing Wednesday to try the half-dozen sauce flavors. Oh yeah, there are also four types of beignets.
photo: atlas pizza
3570 SE Division St.
Since 2013, Atlas Pizza has served the community through food, drinks, and rock 'n roll history. As a way to give back, Atlas created the P.I.E. program (Portland Invests In Education) donating 20 percent of profits on chosen evenings to a local school to use for funding. Atlas also hosts free and all-ages monthly craft nights with the art supply store Collage.
photo: Dots cafe
2521 SE Clinton St.
Established in 1992 and reinvented in 2012, Dots Cafe is the perfect spot to grab lunch after catching a matinee showing just steps away at Clinton Street Theater. For those of us who crave breakfast food all times of the day, Dots offers staples like huevos rancheros and french toast. Pair your brunch with a whiskey marmalade hot toddy to warm up on brisk afternoons. Grabbing a late lunch? Dots has the BEST tater tots! They come as a side to one of five burger options.
photo: Erica's soul food
120 NE Russell St.
Chef Erica is living out her dream of running her own food truck, with a little help from her kids. Erica moved to Portland in 2017 and was embraced by the community, giving her the opportunity to start her own business. Try the Shrimp & Grits, Catfish Dinner, or Smothered Chicken. Vegan options are available!
photo: black star grill
1902 NW 24th Ave.
Craving West African cuisine? Black Star Grill is serving up classics like Jollof Bowls, black-eyed peas, shrimp, and wings. The Ghanaian food cart opened in 2017 and allows customers to build their own bowls to their liking. Black Star is the perfect pick for an easy and filling lunch packed with flavor and finesse.
Photo: birds & bees
3327 SE 50th Ave.
Small women and Black-owned plant nursery Birds & Bees is dedicated to locally sourced and sustainable products, for both indoor and outdoor plant needs! Find seeds, bulbs, houseplants, and everything in between at reasonable prices.
photo: love belizean
1503 SW Broadway St.
Love Belizean near University District is a food truck serving up plates of chicken, roasted red pepper, and onion tri-tip with rice and beans, island salsa, and arugula salad. They offer stewed red beans in coconut curry for a vegan option.
photo: po'shines cafe
8139 N Denver Ave.
Po'Shines is a North Portland institution founded by E.D. Mondaine initially called Girl and Guy Friday and then transitioned into Fridays Espresso which concentrated on coffee and antiques. Now, Po'Shines goal is to create a discourse surrounding empowerment and community. They've got all the usual suspects like catfish, brisket, ribs, po'boys, grits and more.
photo: abbey creek vineyard
31441 NW Commercial St.
Visit the PNW's first and only hip-hop winery and first Black-owned winery owned by Bertony Faustin. The small batch winery has a taproom in North Plains with availability on Saturday & Sunday from 12 PM to 5 PM. Faustin also donated a portion of profits from each bottle sold to a local organization.
photo: grits N Gravy
215 SW 6th Ave.
This southern-inspired diner is the best place to grab chicken and waffles in West Portland. It also offers a hefty omelet menu, shrimp and grits, fried catfish, and even gumbo! Head to the casual diner for breakfast or dinner and enjoy bottomless coffee or sweet tea.
photo: kees loaded kitchen
3625 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
Award-winning food cart Kee's Loaded Kitchen is about the experience as much as the food. Owner Kiauna "Kee" Nelson is a self-motivated pillar of the community, and if you meet her, you'll know why. Get a combo plate with fried chicken, mac & cheese, green beans, potato salad, corn, and more.
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