It’s time to celebrate entrepreneurship in Milwaukee while offering support to Black-owned eateries during Milwaukee Black Restaurant Week, which takes place April 12 through April 18.
It's the sixth year for the annual event which encourages diners to patronize Black-owned businesses throughout the city. The grassroots initiative was founded by BlankSpaceMKE, an urban art cooperative founded by Bridget Robinson and Symphony Zawadi in an effort to raise awareness about social entrepreneurship and garner support for black owned businesses.
In 2020, many participating restaurants saw a significant increase in profits during Black Restaurant Week – some nearly doubling their sales – assisting them in keeping their doors open during these challenging times.
How to participate
Diners are encouraged to participate as they feel comfortable, taking advantage of curbside pick-up and specials at over a dozen participating restaurants serving up cuisines from Southern comfort food, soul food and barbeque to plant-based fare and sweet treats.
To show your support for restaurants during Black Restaurant Week, visit any Black-owned restaurant and document your visit by posting a photo of your receipt on social media using hashtag #MBRW21.
Your visible participation allows BlankSpaceMKE to gather data from the week to demonstrate the effectiveness of cooperative economics and the significance of the local dollar to sustain businesses.
So go out, try a new place you've never been before and show up for our city!
Participating restaurants
This list includes restaurants who signed up to participate in Milwaukee Black Restaurant Week. You can also peruse more delicious options in our Black-owned restaurant guide.
Arlanderz Soul Food
W186N9539 Bancroft Dr., Menomonee Falls, (262) 415-7129
1814 N Farwell Ave., Milwaukee, (414) 837-5151
arlanderz.com
Cuisine: chicken, fish and soul food
Carry-out: Yes, curbside pick-up available
Dine in: No
Hours: Menomonee Falls: Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Milwaukee: Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ashley's Que
1501 W. Center St., (414) 372-7666
Ashleysbarbque.com
Cuisine: barbeque
Carry-out: Yes, delivery is also available
Dine in: No
Hours: Open daily from 11 a.m to 10 p.m.
Big Daddy’s BBQ and Soul Food
2730 N Humboldt Blvd., (414) 758-8602
biggyds.com
Cuisine: barbeque, soul food
Carry-out: Yes, curbside pick-up and delivery available
Dine in: Yes
Hours: Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Buffalo Boss
3536 W Fond Du Lac Ave., (414) 935-2588
buffaloboss.com
Cuisine: chicken wings and sides
Carry-out: Yes, delivery available
Dine in: Yes
Hours: Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight
Specials: $12 meal combo (12 wings, two sauces, two drinks, fries)
Catfish Lounge
3646 N. Teutonia Ave., (414) 445-3505
facebook.com/Catfish-Lounge
Cuisine: seafood, bar fare
Carry-out: Yes
Dine in: Yes
Hours: Open daily from 3 to 10 p.m.
City Net Jazz Cafe
306 E. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 336-1723
facebook.com/citynetjazzcafe
Cuisine: Southern, Caribbean, full coffee service
Carry-out: Yes, curbside pick-up and delivery available
Dine in: No
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Daddy's Soul Food & Grille
724 N. 27th St., (414) 448-6165
Daddysoulfoodgrille.com
Cusine: Soul food, plant-based options
Carry-out: Yes, curbside pick-up available
Dine in: No
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Specials: Discounts for veterans (30% off) studen's (10% off) police officers (50% off)
Funky Fresh Spring Rolls
3536 W Fond Du Lac Ave., (414) 732-1531
funkyfreshspringrolls.com
Cuisine: Pan-cooked spring rolls, salads, entrees
Carry-out: Yes, curbside pick-up available
Dine in: No
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Specials: Daily specials will be available
Immy’s African Cuisine
8103 W. Tower Ave., (414) 406-1706
immysafricancuisine.com
Cuisine: East African
Carry-out: Yes
Dine in: No
Hours: Open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Specials: 15% off for Black Restaurant Week
Karol’s Kitchen & Catering
8430 W. Vienna Ave., (414) 313-6363
karols-kitchen-and-catering.business.site
Cuisine: American, soul food
Carry-out: Yes, delivery available
Dine in: No
Hours: Open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Specials: 15% off for Black Restaurant Week
Mr. Perkins' Family Restaurant
2001 W. Atkinson Ave., (414) 447-6660
facebook.com/Mr-Perkins-Family-Restaurant
Cuisine: Soul food, breakfast items
Carry-out: Yes
Dine in: No
Hours: Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Specials: Special pricing on perch, meatloaf, T-balogna, Perkins Deluxe
On the Bayou
2053 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., (414) 539-5432
Onthebayoumlk.com
Cuisine: Cajun/creole, Southern
Carry-out: Yes, curbside pick-up and delivery available
Dine in: Yes
Hours: Wednesday through Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m.
Plate Pleasures Eatery
2330 N. 124th St., (414) 897-7100
facebook.com/choicecuisinebymia
Cuisine: Southern
Carry-out: Yes
Dine in: No
Hours: Thursday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Hours: Free beverage with$15 purchase
Rae’s Sweet Sensations
7727 W. Glenbrook Rd., (920) 791-7646
facebook.com/Raes.Sweet.Sensations
Cuisine: Desserts
Carry-out: Curbside pick-up only
Dine in: No
Hours: Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Specials: Signature chocolate chip toffee cookies for $18 per dozen; strawberry champagne cupcakes six for $15; cake jars four for $30
Sam’s Place Jazz Cafe
3338 N. Doctor M.L.K. Jr. Dr., (414) 837-5127
samsplacejazz.com
Cuisine: Casual coffee-house fare, breakfast, sandwiches
Carry-out: Yes, delivery also available
Dine in: Yes
Hours: Sunday through Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. (live entertainment)
Sauce & Spice
3536 W Fond Du Lac Ave., (414) 210-4478
sauceandspicemke.com
Cuisine: Pizza
Carry-out: Yes, curbside pick-up and delivery available
Dine in: No
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Specials: 20% off (minimum of two pizzas per order to qualify)
Skybox Sports Bar
2213 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., (414) 810-0763
skyboxsportsbarmke.com
Cuisine: Made-to-order bar fare
Carry-out: Yes, delivery available
Dine in: Yes
Patio/outdoor seating: No
Hours: Monday through Thursday from 4 to midnight; Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday from noon to midnight
Specials: Happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. daily
Taste of Chicago
1108 W. Greenfield Ave., (414) 649-8000
tasteofchicagomke.com
Cuisine: Casual Chicago-inspired fare
Carry-out: Yes, curbside pick-up and delivery available
Dine in: No
Hours: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Terrilynn’s Soul Food Express
10742 W. Hampton Ave., (414) 464-1111
terrilynns.net
Cuisine: Soul food
Carry-out: Yes (order by phone, they will call when order is ready)
Dine in: No
Hours: Thursday and Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., Sunday from noon to 6:30 p.m.
Twisted Plants
4905 S. Packard Ave., (414) 439-4325
twistedplants.com
Cuisine: Plant-based comfort food
Carry-out: Yes, curbside pick-up only
Dine in: No
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.