This family-owned and operated restaurant playfully combines Mexican and Southern fare to create drool worthy dishes that will leave your taste buds begging for more. A comfort food mecca, the menu is incredibly varied with Cajun crunchwraps, tasty tacos, sinful sandwiches and unbelievable burritos, like the Fried Whitefish Burrito where cornmeal battered catfish, red beans, dirty rice, and corn are topped with homemade slaw, hot Cheetos, salsa, pickled onions, 5-cheese blend and their legendary Nacheaux sauce. Seriously, this place is bomb.

With a focus on organic, scratch made ingredients, food takes on a deeper meaning as fuel that nourishes the body and soul at this cozy bistro. Indulge in all your breakfast favorites, from Benedicts to pancakes, served all day long. Don’t overlook the impressive list of curated mimosas, like the Pina Colada with chilled pineapple juice, coconut syrup, and a strawberry garnish. With a variety of vegan, vegetarian, carnivorous, and gluten free offerings, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.

Craving a slice of legendary New York style ‘za, then look no further than this laid back pizzeria. The menu features pizza (of course), salads, and a sensational variety of stuffed garlic knots. Seriously, there are ten different types of stuffed garlic knots, including my favorite with pesto, artichoke hearts, & feta. With several locations across town, you can’t miss the opportunity to grab one of their massive hangs-over-the-plate slices! You can even play some pinball while you wait.

Since opening in 1996, this local standby has been pleasing Portlanders with their authentic, family-style Ethiopian cuisine. Large portions of sautéed veggies and sizzling meats are packed with fresh flavors and textures. The injera, made the traditional way with tefe, is outstanding, spongy with a satisfying tang. Be sure to try the vegetarian sampler platter, which features a little taste of everything, combining a variety of ten different mouth-watering dishes. This cuisine is perfect for sharing, so call up a friend and make plans today!

This relaxed, laid back eatery has caused quite a stir with its unique vegan menu of Sri Lankan specialities. Sit out in the sunshine on one of the patio picnic benches and indulge in large portions of coconut roti, slow-cooked curries, and flavorful ‘short eats’ (or street foods) like the Impossible “beef” rolls served with hot green chili. Or opt for the rice & curry special, available only on the weekends, which features a rotating combination of several veggie-packed portions, piled onto one massive platter. Prepare to stuff your face, your tummy with thank you later.

Located inside a vintage Airstream trailer, this creative cart playfully combines Scandinavian fare & soul food to create one-of-a-kind vibrant dishes, like the Norwegian meatballs with caramelized cheese gravy, surkal (pickled purple cabbage), and green cabbage. Love deviled eggs? Try the pickled eggs, a flavor explosion of bright purple beet-dyed eggs seasoned with black pepper mayonnaise and topped with decadent salmon caviar. This is one meal you won’t want to miss.

This Cajun Creole destination has so much soul. With all the classics from flavor-packed Po’Boys to buttery blackened catfish, this church-operated restaurant not only serves delicious food, but also provides culinary education and career development opportunities to the community through its non-profit workforce training program Teach Me To Fish. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this is one meal that nourishes tummies & hearts, alike.

Pizza + Beer. Name a better combo. Go on, we’ll wait…

George Johnson, Founder, Head Brewer and Pizza Chef started Assembly Brewing in March of 2019 as a homage to his Detroit roots. The SE Portland 15 barrel capacity brewpub is Oregon’s first Black-owned and operated brewery and makes delicious rectangle-shaped Detroit-style pizza. The pizza dough has 70% hydration (the amount of water in relation to the amount of flour), and pepperoni is placed directly on the dough. They then pile on Wisconsin Brick cheese, which caramelizes and fuses to the edge of the dough. Sauce is put on the top and the result is a pie that is crispy on the bottom, but light and chewy in the middle. Pair your pies with a balanced menu of brews from IPA to stouts and everything in between. "My philosophy is to brew balanced and accessible ales for the people." Says Johnson. Come for the beer, stay for the pizza, and come back for another beer later.

Jewan Manuel’s plant-based comfort food fusion has taken Portland by storm and for good reason. He creatively reimagines American standbys and Mexican favorites and combines them to create dishes that previously vegans could only dream about. Stuff yourself with all the classics from drive-through style burgers to satisfying street taco to zesty jalapeño mac & cheese. And don’t get me started on the out-of-this-world elote, sweet corn on the cob tossed in heavenly whipped butter, spicy mayo, cashew cheese crumbles, jalapeño crema, chili seasoning and a pinch of parsley. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is.

Located on the second floor, this white-tablecloth eatery serves up some seriously delicious traditional and authentic Ethiopian fare. The menu is extensive, suitable for a variety of appetites from carnivore to vegan, with some dishes reserved only for the weekends like the fan favorite Special Doro Tibs with cubed chicken and spinach sautéed with caramelized onion, garlic, and ginger. Keep an eye out for owner Peter Tesfu whose friendly demeanor and deadpan humor has been luring loyalists back for years.

Giving a fresh and modern twist on Louisiana comfort classics, Chefs Spank and News have garnered celebrity attention with their flavorful food truck. Choose between delectable surf and turf options, burgers, and more. Or opt for the oh-so-instagrammable pineapple bowl, which features a medley of rice, pineapple chunks, and protein of choice, drizzled in a sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce, and served inside a split pineapple! With Snoop Dogg’s stamp of approval, you can guarantee everything here is going to be fire (I mean, he is an expert on all things lit).

This laid back food cart is entirely Jamaican-owned and operated. Enjoy flavorful and authentic dishes like spicy jerk chicken, saucy, succulent oxtails, and the best coconutty beans and rice that will surely fast track you into the clean plate club. With menu options suitable for carnivores and vegetarians, alike, and ample outdoor seating, this is a great place to enjoy a sunny afternoon with friends. Once you have indulged, take a stroll down Mississippi Avenue and explore the curious shops and bustling bars. There is so much to see in the surrounding area!

With more than 100+ combinations, the options are endless at this casual sports-centric pizzeria. Just one bite of the thick, chewy cheesy crust and you’ll be hooked. Better yet, the menu is extremely inclusive offering gluten-free options and vegan variations for their pizzas, calzones, salads, and even wings! There are 17 different specialty pizzas offered on the menu personalized for vegans. It doesn’t stop there. Each pizza comes with a choice of three popular vegan cheeses - Violife, Follow your Heart Mozzarella, or Daiya. Now, talk about options! Indecisive friends, you may want to give up the reins to another foodie when placing a delivery order for pizza night. 

Bringing flavors of the Big Easy to downtown Portland, this Cajun Creole restaurant is home to mouth-watering authentic fusion fare. Former Oregon Ducks running back Randall Willhite will tickle your tastebuds with his crunchy & soft battered shrimp po’boys and dark silky gumbo. Don’t forget to save room for the oh-so-satisfying fried pickle chips. Learning from legendary experts like the late Leah Chase, the real life inspiration for Tiana in Disney’s “Princess and the Frog”, Willhite’s menu is filled with inspired, quality recipes that will keep you coming back for more.

Follow the mellow sounds of reggae music and the spicy smell of seasoned smoked meats into this small and cozy eatery serving up some seriously delicious Jamaican cuisine. The recipes, which feature authentic spices and aromatics sourced directly from Jamaica, have been passed down through generations. With longstanding traditional cooking methods, the quality is palpable. Highlights on the menu include the spicy jerk chicken, juicy wings, and flavorful braised oxtails. Sensitive palettes beware, this place really brings the heat!

Take your tastebuds on a quick trip to Belize at this casual downtown eatery. Influenced by flavors of the Caribbean, the menu features hearty portions of flavorful and vibrant comfort foods like juicy Belizean chicken, succulent recado beer braised pork, tender tri-tip with roasted red pepper and onion, and an absolutely luscious vegan entree of stewed red beans and coconut curry. Top your meal of choice with one of their potent house-made habanero pepper sauces ranging in heat level with mild, fruity varieties such as orange and prickly pear all the way up to the brace-yourself spicy assortment with terrifying names like “No Wimps Allowed”. I have not yet encountered someone who has braved the hottest “Beware” sauce and lived to tell the tale. Challenge accepted?

Mississippi born Alkebulan Moroski will satisfy your cravings for the ultimate southern comfort food classics like fried chicken, bbq ribs, and fried catfish at this satiation station. But, there’s a twist; everything is 100% vegan! Moroski has perfected the art of disguise because these dishes can fool even the most militant carnivores. My personal favorite is the Infamous Bowl featuring crispy and crunchy fried chicken nuggets with sweet and spicy Cajun corn, served on a pile of creamy mashed potatoes and smothered in a rich and savory gravy. These ‘sinful’ eats never tasted so heavenly.

At this unassuming food cart, treat yourself to award-winning coffee and ever-so-satisfying Himalayan / Nepalese filled dumplings called momos. Co-owners Lapka Nubo and Faisal Mutua come together to make magic happen; Nubo makes momos with a rotating assortment of fillings and flavors, while Mutua brews aromatic coffee, with beans sourced directly from his own family-run farm in Kenya. Be sure to try the Bissap, a refreshing Kenyan beverage made with hibiscus and mint. Time for a stroll down Alberta, succulent dumplings await!

Owner Ian Williams, a former Nike shoe developer, embraces his passion for footwear at this creative and cool downtown coffee shop. Not only is the coffee tasty at this self-proclaimed “snob-free” destination, but the lattes are decorated with detailed sneaker art. While waiting, take the time to admire the impressive collection of retro basketball kicks on display. Up your fashion game with fresh fits and “coffee should be dope” merch for sale. So call up your sneakerhead friend, it’s time to caffeinate.

From the eclectic display of eerie vintage artwork to the can’t-look-away velvet brocade wallpaper (yes, velvet), this lowlight cafe-bar is a vibe. Since 1992, this moody spot has been an iconic late-night fixture of Clinton Street where locals flock to sip cocktails with friends and nom on bar bites like burgers, sandos and fries. Stop by on weekends, for an unforgettable boozy brunch. Or get your boogie on at one of their themed dance nights featuring music of local artists. Whatever you choose, you are in for a good time.

This is just a sampling of all the amazing black-owned restaurants that exist locally. To explore more black-owned businesses in the Portland Metro area, we recommend checking out Mercatus Business Directory and PDX Black Excellence, two phenomenal resources for finding more opportunities to support diversity in our community. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions and please give us a follow on social media @sporkbytes.

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Enjoy!

The Spork Bytes Team