| Okay so you do not have the skill, time or | | | | home cooking you have become accustomed too. |
| patience to cook up that perfect soul food dinner? | | | | At this point you should feel very good about the |
| Chances are a soul food restaurant in your area is | | | | idea of eating foods any day of the week that |
| serving up home cooking just like mom or | | | | are traditional served only during Sunday dinner |
| grandma use to make. Give yourself a break | | | | and on special occasion like family reunions, family |
| from kitchen duties and here is the reason why. | | | | barbecues, birthdays, etc. |
| Soul food restaurants have never been more | | | | So what type of dishes can you expect to find |
| popular. In fact, today you have more options | | | | on a soul food menu? That depends on the type |
| than ever before. Black celebrities, seasoned | | | | of restaurant you visit. For example at a |
| chefs and great cooks around the country have | | | | barbecue restaurant you can experience the |
| teamed up to offer you a unique dining | | | | taste of barbecued ribs, chicken, brisket; baked |
| experience and familiar soul food menu. | | | | beans, macaroni & cheese, coleslaw, potato salad; |
| If you live in or near major cities with a significant | | | | banana pudding, sweet potato pie; and more. |
| African American population, expect the | | | | At an upscale restaurant, you would more than |
| competition for your business to be fierce. This is | | | | like see many remakes of traditional soul food |
| great news for you because in essence you will | | | | and southern favorites. These modern meals will |
| have an opportunity to enjoy a full range of | | | | be more appealing to todays taste. In additional |
| dinning experiences at several different types of | | | | you will see soul food fusion, the combination of |
| restaurants including: soul food diners, upscale | | | | African American, Caribbean and Jamaican cuisine. |
| dining, buffets, catered events, mom & pop | | | | Lastly, on the menu you will probably see NEO |
| dining, cafeteria style dinners and much more. | | | | Soul Food aka New Soul Food prepared to fit the |
| Cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, | | | | healthy lifestyle. These dishes contain less salt, fat, |
| Houston, Las Vegas, Memphis, New York, | | | | cholesterol and calories. |
| Philadelphia, St Louis, Oakland and Washington DC | | | | You will be pleasantly surprised when eating at |
| all offer unique dining experience including: live jazz | | | | Cafeteria style restaurants, along with restaurants |
| performances, comedy shows, celebrity | | | | featuring buffets. Here you can taste and sample |
| appearances, modernized soul food cuisine, | | | | a variety of comfort foods including meats like |
| artwork exhibits, gifts & memorabilia and cooking | | | | smothered chicken, barbecue, meatloaf, fish; |
| products. | | | | vegetables such as collard greens, cabbage, yams, |
| Once you get out and start enjoying | | | | okra; delectable desserts like peach cobbler, red |
| establishments in your area, it will be easy to see | | | | velvet cake, pecan pie; and much more. |
| that the soul food restaurant industry caters to a | | | | The Mom & Pop type restaurants will be limited |
| diverse group. | | | | to daily specials and lack variety when compared |
| Now that you are sold on the idea of giving | | | | to large establishments. This can work out to |
| yourself a break from kitchen duties, the obvious | | | | your advantage because you will always be |
| question is...What are celebrity soul food | | | | served fresh vegetables and desserts with fruits |
| restaurants and famous chefs cooking up? This | | | | that are in season. |
| question is not at all easy to answer. The simple | | | | Okay now is the time to take a break do some |
| fact is, it all depends on location and the type of | | | | research and rush out to enjoy some soul food |
| clients the restaurants in your area are trying to | | | | at a soul food restaurant near you. Just |
| attract. | | | | remember there are plenty of restaurants to |
| The bottom line up front is that in most cases | | | | choose from offering a variety of soul food |
| you can find a soul food restaurant in your area | | | | menus. One word of caution all soul food |
| that provides the type of comfort foods and | | | | restaurants are not created equal. |