Celebrating Black-Owned Businesses

In this week’s blog, we will be featuring some of our favorite black owned businesses that we have tried here in Gainesville and the surrounding area. Food edition, of course. February is Black History Month, and we are proud to celebrate some of the amazing black-owned businesses in our area. There is an intensive list of restaurants, bakers, and caterers; we have chosen just a few of our favorites to highlight today.

First on our list is Chef Empowerment Underground Kitchen. This business truly captures what it means to empower our community. Their objective is to reverse the statistics by lowering the crime and unemployment rates in central Florida. They have proven that with education, everyone has a special skill set to offer. Chef Empowerment provides vocational training to people in our neighborhoods, and they have partnered with many restaurants in our area for immediate job placement post-training. They tirelessly pour their hearts into their work to make better and stronger communities. Completion on their brick and mortar location is coming soon, and they have already started offering pick-up and delivery. If you’re in the mood for some “South African American cuisine with a modern flare”, check them out! You are helping to build better futures!

Next on the list is one of our very favorite mobile kitchens- Big Lee’s BBQ. Their tag line is “serious about barbecue”, and serious they are. Mouthwatering, savory, tender. Every word you could use to describe delicious smoked and barbecued meats still does not do this place justice. The menu offers burnt ends, brisket stuffed mac n’ cheese (The Kathy), and a pulled pork sandwich, to name a few. You can track the food truck location on their website, mybigleesbbq.com. This is some of the best barbecue we have ever had, and we can’t wait to go back!

We love Jamaican cuisine! That’s why Reggae Shack was a no-brainer for this list. Their menu is extensive, offering something for everyone. The chef/owner grew up in Jamaica as a street vendor, where he learned to perfect the cuisine by wowing friends and family with his offerings. Luckily for us, he has relocated to the Gainesville area, serving up amazing plates such as oxtail, curry chicken, brown stew fish, and even vegetarian options, smoothies, and desserts. This is a true Jamaican experience that you have to try for yourself.

Sandy Sweets Bakery is a show stopper of a bakery, offering a luxurious twist to cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and one of our very favorite options- the new deluxe cake banana pudding. Your taste buds will be singing! What we love about this bakery is the sheer amount of different delicacies to try. Not only do they have many options, but they are all decorated beautifully and so tasty! If you visit their Instagram page, @sandysweets_ you will be wowed by the color, designs, and deliciousness right in front of your eyes.

Sugar Baby Cookie is another one of our favorites. If you are on the hunt for the best cookies you’ve ever tasted, look no further. This bakery has cookies, cookie sandwiches, and cookie cakes. We have witnessed them put the most delicious twists on snickerdoodle cookies as well. For example, the apple pie snickerdoodle. Simply amazing. It seems they are constantly taking a tried and true recipe, and making it even better with a new twist. Sugar Baby makes custom cakes for their customers, and they are absolutely gorgeous. Check out their Facebook page and see for yourself!

Another one of our most beloved mobile kitchens is Vegan Gator. Whether you follow a vegan lifestyle or you just want to try something different, this place is awesome. Their burger menu boasts options such as The Veganator Patty Melt, Siiikedelic Mushroom burger, and the Vegan Cowboy. A huge hit for them is their loaded fries. Their white truffle and rosemary fries have such a great combination of flavors. Another must- try is their Poutine. Pair this with their rosemary infused blueberry lemonade, and it’s everything you didn’t know you needed.

All of these business owners, chefs, and partners have put their time, skills, and investments into making their businesses flourish. Many of these wonderful people serve our communities and give back through their earnings. We cannot thank them enough, and we urge you to visit their websites and read their personal stories. Of course, we also invite you to visit and try each and every one!

(Photos Provided by: Featured Businesses)