Speaking of representation in the kitchen, we need more of it. Not just in the back-of-house as line workers, but front-of-house like Chef Saul Ortiz at Diablos Cantina. I must, no need, more media coverage of restaurants owned or lead by people of color.
For the reason being that what’s mostly talked about and favored by food critics are predominantly white-owned restaurants. Conveniently, appropriating cuisine by the restaurants they don’t cover in the areas they don’t dare to explore.
Food is diverse in flavor, color, texture, ingredients, traditions, regions of origin, the people who invented them, and the ancient stories that follow every dish. We will continue to update this list of black owned restaurants in Las Vegas as we do our tasting across recommendations submitted by you and those by our gastronomical curiosity.
Representation in the hospitality industry is so necessary. Let us know if you come across anything as we add to this growing list by leaving a comment below.
Downtown Las Vegas
Simply Pure
Chef Stacey Dougan is a Vegan chef. She is the proud owner Simply Pure located on the first floor at the Container Park. She serves colorful and tasty dishes that “even meat-eaters and picky kids,” will enjoy like Green Chill Enchiladas, Tacos, cheesy Mac-n-Cheese, or the sampler platters that let you try a variety of dishes at once . Most recipes are gluten-free and many are allergy-friendly. But, there’s NOTHING quite like her famous freshly squeezed juices that pack an insane amount of immune boosting, antioxidants, and refreshing ingredients in every slurp.
Summerlin
Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dog
Chef Boyzie served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Paratroopers after graduating High School. While in the military, he attended Culinary School. He later went to serve as the executive chef in Las Vegas with Boyd Gaming at the Fremont Hotel in Downtown Las Vegas. In June 2011, he and his wife ventured out on their own and created mouthwatering establishment in Summerlin known as Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dogs. Their ultimate unconventional take on the hot dog with a soulful Korean infusion. Take the Gang Nam hot dog. It is made with a house special roast pork belly, cucumber cucumber nori flakes, sesame seeds, korean chili sauce.
Green Valley
Big Jerk Caribbean
Big Jerk Caribbean are the biggest jerks around and that’s a compliment. Let the bite of their jerk chicken wings take you on a cruise to the Caribbean. They can credit their singular and signature taste to passed-down family recipes, traditional fair, and fun takes on classic dishes is how we bring Caribbean food to the next level.
North Las Vegas
Soul Foo Young
Let’s dive right into Soul Foo Young. More or less let’s talk about their Bruce Leroy dish, which is all that and a bag of chips. It’s traditionally served with three crunchy and zesty whole fried chicken wings with veggie fried rice. Soul Foo Young combines Southern home style cooking with traditional Asian and Soul Food cooking and ingredients.
Henderson
Pour Coffeehouse
You can find a good majority of the CARRA editorial team writing and editing away at Pour Coffeehouse. Next to a morning breakfast of champion dishes like the Breakfast Bommer Bowl, this space is equally inspirational as it is succulent. The black and browned coffee shop is under the helm of owners Deborah Armstrong and Tina Torres who have dedicated themselves to make Pour Coffeehouse a creative and inclusive space for all.
Spring Valley
Cafe Luhena
Cafe Luhena serves up authentic signature of the Ethiopian cuisine like Lamb Awaze. It it served with warm injera bread. Food is masterfully seasoned with traditional spices and robust flavors.
