Holiday season arrives at the same time every year. We clear our calendars, make space for family and friends, and proceed to cram the rest of the ending year with fond memories and fleeting resolutions.
For some of us, though, hosting and cooking Instagram-worthy spreads can turn an otherwise joyful season into a stressful series of long lines at the grocery store and moments of frantically dusting off old family recipes.
For those who don’t feel like cooking this year, or don’t have a cooking bone in their body, The TRiiBE is here to help.
From soul food staples and Caribbean flavors to vegan delights and tangy midwestern barbecue, these 10 Black-owned restaurants in Chicago will help you bypass the kitchen and last-minute Door Dash hauls, so that you can focus on spending time with loved ones.
For Those Classic Holiday Cravings
Nafsi (South Shore) – Tucked within the South Shore Cultural Center, Nafsi offers an upscale yet affordable dining experience perfect for catering or cozy holiday gatherings with friends. Founded by Donnell Digby, Nafsi features reimagined takes on classics such as shrimp & grits, fried green tomatoes, surf & turf, beignets, and chicken & waffles.
Mustard Seed Kitchen (South Loop) The sister restaurant of Virtue, led by award-winning chef Erick Williams, offers a faith-based dining experience packed with Southern staples and flavors. This season, Mustard Seed Kitchen is offering Thanksgiving Dinner for $269, available for pickup on Nov. 27.
Vegan Made Easy
Majani Soulful Vegan Cuisine (South Shore) is a fast-casual vegan restaurant specializing in plant-based Southern cuisine inspired by the African heritage and rural roots of chefs Tsadakeeyah and Nasya Emmanuel. Celebrating 44 years as a vegan establishment, Majani offers a from-scratch Thanksgiving menu featuring items like homemade tofu turkey and cornbread dressing for $40 per person. For gatherings, family-style options are available, with price breaks offered for larger orders.
The Black Vegan (Little Village) Owned by Sparkle Le’Star, Black Vegan specializes in creating flavorful dishes for those transitioning into vegan eating, offering unique dishes like jackfruit sliders, and oyster mushroom and pineapple kebabs. Their menu brings plant-based twists to classic flavors, perfect for any holiday gathering or celebration.
Try Something New
Gorée Cuisine (Kenwood) For a taste of West African-Senegalese cuisine close to home, Goree Cuisine is a family-owned restaurant specializing in traditional dishes like Saka Saka, a hearty vegetable stew, and Tiebu Dejun, Senegal’s beloved fried fish stuffed with parsley and fine herbs, cooked in a rich tomato sauce over Jollof rice. Although the restaurant’s website is under construction, the owner said customers can place orders over the phone.
Migos Chicago (Portage Park) Chefs Brian Jupiter and Azazi Morsi bring halal flavor fusion to life at Migos, offering fried chicken, tacos, and more. Migos Fine Foods also provides catering, featuring options like taco trays, fried chicken and biscuits, salads, meal kits, and doughnuts for those looking to try something new for the holidays.
Finger-licking BBQ
Smoky Soul Barbeque (South Shore) Offering a Thanksgiving dinner package that blends classic holiday flavors with its signature smoky twist, Smoky Soul Barbecue’s Holiday Smoke menu features whole smoked turkey (available in both traditional and jerk flavors), tender prime rib, and a variety of flavorful sides, bringing the taste of Chicago BBQ to your family. Chef Daniel Hammond, who plans to launch BBQ courses with Weber Grill restaurants and outdoor “Cookout Classroom” grilling classes in city parks next June, describes the menu as “a holiday feast with soul” for those seeking bold, unforgettable flavors this season.
Soul & Smoke (Avondale, West Loop, Evanston) With multiple locations throughout the city, Soul & Smoke provides mouth-watering Thanksgiving menu options along with a unique opportunity to purchase a meal for someone in need. They maintain a community fridge stocked with meals and pantry items, accessible 24/7 to anyone in need. Their goal is to fill the fridge with holiday offerings, and a $15 donation provides one meal to support the community.
Enjoy the Unexpected
Two Fish Crab Shack (Bronzeville) Who said seafood wasn’t festive? Dive into your next feast at Two Fish Crab Shack, a female-owned seafood boil destination where flavor and fun come together. Expect generous portions of boiled shrimp, crab legs, and fried catfish, served family-style to make hosting easy and delicious. With hands-on dining and signature sauces like “The Chi-Way,” garlic butter, and lemon pepper, Two Fish offers an unforgettable experience perfect for gatherings with family and friends. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s pre-orders start at $85.
Koto Hibachi (Bridgeport) Let Koto Hibachi cater your next party! Chicago’s newest Black-owned hibachi spot, Koto serves hibachi and sushi with a variety of fresh hibachi entrees like Hibachi lobster, shrimp, steak, chicken, and a veggie option, all served with fried rice, egg, and a mix of vegetables. For those who want a little bit of everything for the holidays, the Koto Combo includes chicken, shrimp, and steak for a true hibachi showdown!
The post Don’t feel like cooking? Let these 10 Chicago restaurants handle your holiday meals this year appeared first on The TRiiBE.
