Charlotte today holds a rich array of African-rooted food traditions. February is Black History Month, a fine time to explore. Here are five different tastes that suggest the many strands in Charlotte’s black experience.
House of Prayer Cafeteria
Start close to home with church food at a United House of Prayer for All People. The denomination’s Charlotte history runs back to a summer-long 1926 tent revival by founder Charles Manuel “Daddy” Grace. The UHOP cafeteria near Panthers Stadium offers grilled or fried chicken, country steak in gravy, pinto beans, coconut pie for dessert. No need to be a worshipper nor wait til Sunday. It’s open to everyone seven days a week.
United House of Prayer Cafeteria
Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
1019 S. Mint St.
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 377 – 1835
Mert’s Heart & Soul
James Bazelle cooks signature dishes of the coastal South from South Carolina to Louisiana. Majority-black historically, the region is known for strong African American influence on cuisine. Order Mert’s red beans and rice, shrimp creole or fried chicken. Don’t miss the collard greens, nor especially the buttery cornbread, some of the best you’ll ever taste.
Mert’s Heart & Soul
Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
214 N. College St.
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 342 – 4222
www.MertsCharlotte.com
Mama’s Caribbean Grill & Bar
Owner Vinroy Reid and his mother Hazelyn Mills back in the kitchen bring authentic flavors from their native Jamaica. Whether you get spicy jerk chicken in rich brown sauce or a milder curry or stew, you’ll see rice and beans on the side. Historians believe that combo originated in Gambia on Africa’s “rice coast.”
Mama’s Caribbean Grill & Bar
Monday – Thursday Noon – 9 p.m.
Friday noon – 11 p.m.
Saturday noon – midnight
Sunday 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
(704) 375 – 8414
1504 Central Av.
Charlotte, NC 28205
www.mamacaribbeangrill.webs.com
Cooking Pot African Kitchen
Discover cuisine straight from Mother Africa at this handsomely appointed Independence Boulevard spot. Nigerian-born Esther Ikuru cooks up jolof rice, oxtail, fufu, moi moi and more. New to these tastes? Try one of her flavorful stews over coconut rice.
The Cooking Pot African Kitchen
Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday noon – 7 p.m.
Independence Shopping Center
5622 East Independence Blvd., suite 129
Charlotte NC 28212
(704) 909 – 4000
Jamile’s International Cuisine
Vast Africa holds so many food cultures. Jamile Sheikh and her family hail from Somalia at the northeast corner of the continent. Mainstay of their menu is suqar (also spelled sukhaar): grilled chicken or beef stewed with onions and Somali spices. Scoop it up with griddle-made bread called canjera (also spelled canjaaro).
Jamile’s International Cuisine
Tuesday – Sunday noon – 8:00 p.m.
4808 G Central Av.
Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 531 – 1180
