| Okay so you do not have the skill, time or | | | | foods and home cooking you have become |
| patience to cook up that perfect soul food | | | | accustomed too. At this point you should feel |
| dinner? Chances are a soul food restaurant in | | | | very good about the idea of eating foods any |
| your area is serving up home cooking just | | | | day of the week that are traditional served |
| like mom or grandma use to make. Give | | | | only during Sunday dinner and on special |
| yourself a break from kitchen duties and here | | | | occasion like family reunions, family |
| 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; |
| experience and familiar soul food menu. | | | | baked beans, macaroni & cheese, coleslaw, |
| | | | potato salad; banana pudding, sweet potato |
| If you live in or near major cities with a | | | | pie; and more. |
| significant African American population, | | | | |
| expect the competition for your business to | | | | At an upscale restaurant, you would more than |
| be fierce. This is great news for you because | | | | like see many remakes of traditional soul |
| in essence you will have an opportunity to | | | | food and southern favorites. These modern |
| enjoy a full range of dinning experiences at | | | | meals will be more appealing to todays taste. |
| several different types of restaurants | | | | In additional you will see soul food fusion, |
| including: soul food diners, upscale dining, | | | | the combination of African American, |
| buffets, catered events, mom & pop dining, | | | | Caribbean and Jamaican cuisine. Lastly, on |
| cafeteria style dinners and much more. | | | | the menu you will probably see NEO Soul Food |
| | | | aka New Soul Food prepared to fit the healthy |
| Cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, | | | | lifestyle. These dishes contain less salt, |
| Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Memphis, New | | | | fat, cholesterol and calories. |
| York, Philadelphia, St Louis, Oakland and | | | | |
| Washington DC all offer unique dining | | | | You will be pleasantly surprised when eating |
| experience including: live jazz performances, | | | | at Cafeteria style restaurants, along with |
| comedy shows, celebrity appearances, | | | | restaurants featuring buffets. Here you can |
| modernized soul food cuisine, artwork | | | | taste and sample a variety of comfort foods |
| exhibits, gifts & memorabilia and cooking | | | | including meats like smothered chicken, |
| products. | | | | barbecue, meatloaf, fish; vegetables such as |
| | | | collard greens, cabbage, yams, okra; |
| Once you get out and start enjoying | | | | delectable desserts like peach cobbler, red |
| establishments in your area, it will be easy | | | | velvet cake, pecan pie; and much more. |
| to see that the soul food restaurant industry | | | | |
| caters to a diverse group. | | | | The Mom & Pop type restaurants will be |
| | | | limited to daily specials and lack variety |
| Now that you are sold on the idea of giving | | | | when compared to large establishments. This |
| yourself a break from kitchen duties, the | | | | can work out to your advantage because you |
| obvious question is...What are celebrity soul | | | | will always be served fresh vegetables and |
| food restaurants and famous chefs cooking up? | | | | desserts with fruits that are in season. |
| This question is not at all easy to answer. | | | | |
| The simple fact is, it all depends on | | | | Okay now is the time to take a break do some |
| location and the type of clients the | | | | research and rush out to enjoy some soul food |
| restaurants in your area are trying to | | | | at a soul food restaurant near you. Just |
| attract. | | | | remember there are plenty of restaurants to |
| | | | choose from offering a variety of soul food |
| The bottom line up front is that in most | | | | menus. One word of caution all soul food |
| cases you can find a soul food restaurant in | | | | restaurants are not created equal. |
| your area that provides the type of comfort | | | | |