Soul Food Delights: Celebrating Black History Month with Local Cafes

Fried Catfish, Greens, and a BiscuitPhoto byStephen McFaddenonUnsplash

Cuyahoga County, OH. February is acknowledged as Black History Month.

This month is about celebratory events, challenges, and triumphs of Black people - including the language spoken, the artistic craft, traditions, myths, and the foods they eat.

As we embark upon the month's events, with numerous events consumed with political speeches, words of encouragement, movies, and music about what was and where we are today, no matter where you go, there will always be the presence of food, soul food to share in the remembrance and to nourish the body.

According to the Urban Dictionary, "Soul Food originated from the cuisine developed by the enslaved Africans, mainly from the American South. A dark period in the history of the United States it resulted in a cuisine fashioned from the meager ingredients available to enslaved people and sharecroppers."

Soul food consists of collar greens, homemade cornbread, macaroni and cheese, candied yams, fried catfish, dressing, baked chicken, fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, fried okra, sweet potato pie, pecan pie, egg pie, and peach cobbler. Anyone serving soul food must have some of these delicacies on the menu.

If you are looking for soul food during Black History Month, here are a few places that are open for business on and near the southeast side of Cleveland: Black Owned and Operated:

Cavor Restaurant - 361 South Green Road South Euclid, OH. The restaurant is open daily at 7 am. Sundays, they are open from 11 am to 9 pm. Consumers can dine in or take out. Besides the soul food, this establishment says the "chicken alfredo" is a must-try. The food is cooked to order. Call (216) 848-0888

Cavor's Restaurant Head Cook & ChefPhoto bythe Brown Report Newspaper.

Flavored Bomb Cafe - 3303 E. 55th Street Cleveland, OH. The cafe is open Tuesday - Sunday, 9 am to 9 pm. There is a small dining area for you and takeout. The food is cooked to order. This establishment says everything on the menu is good. "Please stop in and give us a try. You won't be disappointed," said the owner. The daily breakfast and Sunday's rib feast are game changers outside the soul food. Call (216) 703-3899

The FlavorBomb Cafe's Ms. Tiffany, ChefPhoto bythe Brown Report Newspaper.

Ribcage Smokehouse - 1992 Warrensville Center Road, South Euclid, OH. This establishment is a Bar and Grill. There is inside dining, takeout, and deliveries. They are open Wednesday - Sunday. The time varies. Adam Smith is the head cook. As a grandma's baby, he says there are not too many foods he can't cook. He takes pride in his homemade cornbread, chicken wings, fish, macaroni, and cheese. "I can make a mean steak and garlic shrimp with sauteed mushrooms," laughed Smith. As with any establishment, customer service is key. It can make the difference between the good, the bad, and the ugly reviews. Ms. Tammy, the cashier, and hostess, makes all the difference. "This is not Burger King, but you can have it your way." She's very patient with customers.

The Ribcage SmokeHouse's Head Cook, Adam, and Hostess, Ms. TammyPhoto bythe Brown Report Newspaper.

Samones Kitchen "Chase the Flavor" - 3705 E 116th St, Cleveland, OH. The Kitchen is open Tuesday - Friday, 9 am to 7 pm, and Saturday - Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm. "This is a family business. We don't live in the neighborhood, but we are known," says Ms. Samone. Having been in business for 1.5 years, the community knows her. The Kitchen is said to be popular amongst the Muslin community because they have a nonpork menu. The pecan pie and chicken wings are customers' favorites.

Samone's Kitchen, The Robinsons, OwnersPhoto bySamone Robinson Collection

February is Black History Month. While some folks are researching their history for answers, others will be engaged in events and fancy speeches about the past, but with all due respect. However, if people decide to honor the plight and contribution of Blacks at some time throughout this month, they will enjoy the mouth-watering feast of soul food delicacies. If this is the case, feel free to visit one of the above businesses, where you will find some down-home soul food.

Everyone's opinion is valued, and taste buds may be challenging. Still, the result is not having it your way but recognizing the traditions and contributions of Black Americans as we honor and salute Black History Month.

Do you know of a good Soulfood establishment? Please let us know.