Black History Month is a time when we celebrate all of the accomplishments African Americans have achieved. In honor of that, we are highlighting a handful of incredible black-owned restaurants and food businesses that help contribute to Louisville’s success. These only scratch the surface of great black-owned businesses in Louisville and were recommended by members of our Yelp Louisville Elite Squad. From barbeque to seafood to desserts, you’ll love supporting these businesses all year long.
Four Pegs
Chris Williams made a name for himself with delicious barbeque via his 502 Cafe food truck and then restaurant. And now he’s brought his finger-licking, smoke-savvy recipes and fixins to Four Pegs, the well-known Germantown gastropub that he bought last year. Look out for the meat smoker on the patio, and be sure to order the delicious eats that come out of it.
What Yelpers say: “It was so good. I ordered the smoked turkey sandwich with fries, and I was not disappointed. It was the best turkey sandwich I’ve ever had. It had a chipotle sauce and a bacon jam. Wow. Those two flavors combined were superb. I’m going to send the chef an invitation to my kid’s upcoming birthday party — it was that good.” — Leah M
Photo by Stacy E via Yelp
The Seafood Lady
Nichelle Thurston was craving her Florida seafood favorites in her new home of Louisville, but she couldn’t find them made to her liking. So she decided to make them herself! She started The Seafood Lady out of her home and progressed to a food truck and to now owning multiple brick-and-mortar locations, with features on national shows like Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Next up: a new location to open early this year in Louisville’s trendy NuLu area.
What Yelpers say: “Guy Fieri wasn’t kidding. This is a ‘dive’ in the best sense of the word. No frills, just good food and friendly service… The boil seasoning was nothing short of fantastic. The garlic parmesan sauce on my fried shrimp was equally as wonderful. The crab was tender… By the end our hands were completely coated in seasoned butter, and it took serious restraint not to lick my hands clean.” — Jon M
Photo by The Seafood Lady via Yelp
Sweet Peaches
For owner Pam Haines, Sweet Peaches is a labor of love, which is evident in the quality of the deli food and sweet treats on up to the “There’s Love in Louisville” mural on the outside of the business. Sweet Peaches is a staple in the Russell neighborhood of Louisville, pulling in customers from around the city.
What Yelpers say: “This place, humble and simple as it is, truly represents Southern flavors and Southern hospitality… I went there with a group, and we not only had really good food but also a great time in an informal and pleasant setting. When the owner discovered it was the first time in Kentucky for all of us, she announced free cookies and pastries for all. I hope they remain in business for a long time and that they do well as they deserve to.” — Anil M
Photo by Kelly J via Yelp
Boujie Biscuit
Cyndi Joyner knows how to make great biscuits — and so much so that her Clifton restaurant, Boujie Biscuit, topped Yelp’s list of best new Louisville restaurants, published last year. Joyner brought her scratch-made recipes and her restaurant to Louisville after relocating from Franklin, Ind., and it has become a source for inventive biscuit creations.
What Yelpers say: “OMG, so mad I’m just now trying this place out! I had no idea you could do this many things with biscuits. I tried the Farmhouse, the Georgia Peach and the Cheesy Burger. One breakfast option, one lunch option, and the Georgia Peach could be breakfast or dessert. All three really good… Everything is made right in front of you, cooked to order. Great location, creative menu and cool ambiance — not to mention I was pleasantly surprised to find out it is black-owned!” — Brandon H
Photo by Gene G via Yelp
Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Co.
Deyago and Dawn Urrutia started Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Co. as a way to give back to the community and to bring their delicious sweet potato pie treats to others. And by their estimates, this has included more than 4,000 slices of pie, 2,000 cupcakes and 1,500 brownies consumed. Named after Dawn’s maternal grandmother, Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Co. can be found at local farmers markets and festivals.
What Yelpers say: “I am in love with these cupcakes, cookies and brownies, and to be honest, I hate sweet potatoes! We first met the owner and her husband at the fall Flea Off Market where we bought our first cupcake, and I was hooked! Seriously the cake is so moist, and the buttercream melts in your mouth. I say it is a vegetable, so forget the calories! Bought some chocolate chip cookies last time and gave them to my boys, and they were in heaven and had no idea they were made with sweet potatoes!” — Tami R
Photo by Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Co. via Yelp
Ziba’s Bistro
Originally from Tiaré, a small city in Burkina Faso in western Africa, Chef Bapion Ziba began to cook for himself at the age of 13. He has since studied the culinary arts in France and in the United States and recently opened Ziba’s Bistro in the new Logan Street Market. At Ziba’s Bistro, diners can find the flavors of West Africa fused with French, Italian and American cuisine.
What Yelpers say: “My daughter and I went to Logan Street Market for the first time. And I had Langston’s Caponata, and she had a kid’s burger. We both loved our food! I’d like to add that she is an extremely picky eater, but she cleaned her plate at Ziba’s! The owner is very gracious and appreciative of his patrons. Everyone who works there is personable and helpful in helping us decide what to get. This will be our go-to place when we are at the market.” — Jackie H
Photo by Ziba’s Bistro via Yelp
Again, this is just a sampling of the incredible black-owned businesses around Louisville. Discover more, and write about your experiences at your favorite black-owned businesses on Yelp!
