Black Restaurant Week kicks off in Kansas City at more than two dozen eateries
Gigi Jones just opened her Gigi’s Wellness Cafe this month in Westport.
So she not only wanted to take part in Kansas City’s new Black Restaurant Week event to raise the shop’s profile, she said she owes it to her community.
“We all should come out and support Black-owned businesses, especially restaurants with this pandemic going on,” she said. “To see all the diversity in the cuisines in Kansas City, it’s exciting.”
The event, which starts Friday, got its start in 2016 in Houston, Texas, and it was so popular it quickly expanded to 11 markets. Midwest Black Restaurant Week was held in 2019 with Indianapolis, Indiana, participating. This year the Midwest event will include Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Columbus and Dayton in Ohio.
The event is designed to shed a light on businesses that might not have the marketing funds to promote their operations. In this period of “financial uncertainty and with the unfortunate escalation of racial injustice events,” the organizers said they are waiving the participation fee.
Some restaurants will offer dine-in service, but the emphasis will be on take-out and delivery. They will feature a prix-fixe menu starting at $10. Several of the restaurants say to order online first.
Area restaurants participating Friday through Aug. 2:
▪ Big Momma’s, bakery, 4707 E. Bannister Road, Suite B
▪ Blue Nile Cafe, City Market, 20 E. Fifth St.
▪ District Fish & Pasta, 1664 E. 63rd St.
▪ Elevate Bar & Grill, 7543 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
▪ Fannies African & Tropical Cuisine, 4105 Troost Ave.
▪ Fat Jack’s Chicken & Fish, 5912 Blue Parkway
▪ Gates Bar-B-Q, multiple locations
▪ Gigi’s Wellness Cafe, 1103 Westport Road
▪ Happy Apple Cafe, 5536 Troost Ave.
▪ Just Ask: Cafe 75 Carryout, 7502 Troost Ave.
▪ KC Daiquiri Shop, 1116 Grand Blvd. New Orleans-style food and drinks.
▪ Kwan’s Katering, 106 W. 14th St. Prefers to deliver.
▪ Mattie’s Vegan Eats, food truck. Will only be participating on Saturdays. Check the website.
▪ Mesob, midtown Ethiopian and Caribbean cuisine, 3601 Broadway
▪ Niecie’s Restaurant, 6441 Troost Ave.
▪ Ruby Jean’s Juicery, 3000 Troost. Ave.
▪ Smaxx Gourmet Food, 1827 Vine St.
▪ Soiree Steak & Oyster House, 1512 E. 18th St.
▪ Topknotch Vegan Vittles, 1014 W. U.S. 24 highway, Independence
▪ Urban Cafe, 5500 Troost Ave.
▪ Vee’s Barbecue & Casual Catering, food truck
▪ Wingz & More, 11902 S. Blue Ridge Blvd., Suite C, Grandview, and 113 W. Kansas St., Liberty
▪ Yogurtini Shoal Creek, Northland, 8375 N. Booth Ave.
▪ Yogurtini Plaza, suth of the Country Club Plaza, 4853 Main St.
The event also features prizes, including one for consumers through the BRW Bingo Game.
This story was originally published July 24, 2020 at 10:31 AM.