Despite Oregon’s shameful history with discrimination and its past exclusion of black people, its largest city is full of flourishing black-owned businesses today, especially restaurants.
Portland is home to over 4 million African-Americans, about 2% of the population. They are combining various forms of art and music with food to shape the narrative of their communities.
Here are nine of the best black-owned restaurants in Portland.
Abbey Creek Winery
Vineyard/winery.
31235 NW North Ave, North Plains, OR, 97133
503-389-0619
This small family winery in North Plains has 10 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Don’t get too tipsy. Having opened in 2008, Abbey Creek Winery partners with local businesses regularly for monthly art nights and brunch. The first brunch of the year is on January 19th. Owner and winemaker Bertony Faustin is the first black winemaker in Oregon.
Cannon’s Rib Express
5410 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97211
(503) 288-3836
Enjoy a half slab of ribs and your favorite southern fixins at this BBQ cart. There’s also outside seating. They also have fresh desserts like peach cobbler and peach lemonade, as well as vegetarian options.
Daddy D’s Southern Style Southern BBQ
7204 NE Fourth Plain Blvd,
Vancouver, WA 98662
(360) 892-4418
Located 12 minutes outside of Portland, Daddy D’s offers 14-hour smoked meats–beef brisket, pulled pork, BBQ chicken—and southern style cooking.
Deadstock Coffee
408 NW Couch St, Portland, OR 97209
(971) 220-8727
Former Nike shoe designer Ian Williams merged sneaker culture around this untraditional coffee shop under the mantra: “Coffee Should Be Dope.” Some of the specials include like the “Lebronald Palmer,” a blend of coffee, sweet tea, and lemonade and the “Charged Up,” green coffee extract and green flavored Kool-Aid.
Jamaican Homestyle Cuisine
441 N Killingsworth St
Portland, OR 97217
(503) 289-1423
Yesssssssssss! Jamaica-born Keacean Ransom has brought the island cuisine to Portland. Oxtails, Plantains, and their highly requested rich and spicy homemade Jamaican jerk sauce.
Kee’s Loaded Kitchen
4709 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd,
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 516-2078
Folks stand in line for hours for one of chef Kee’sloaded soul food plates stacked with hot stacked with hot links, wings, a slab of smoked ribs and a bowl of collard greens. Last year, this soul food cart won Cart of the Year.
Mama San Soul Shack
8037 N Lombard St,
Portland, OR 97203
(503) 719-4288
Chef Hopkins blended his homegrown southern cooking style with knowledge of Korean food and culture from his adopted family form this Asian-soul food mix, featuring colorful “dranks” and boozy slushies.
NE Creperie
3441 N Vancouver Ave, Portland 97201
(503) 793-7837
Ever had marinated steak inside of a crepe? Me neither. But here’s where you can. This savory crepe food cart is known for their signature fresh Berry Delight Crepe, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, Nutella, almonds, and whip cream. For upcoming hours, check here.
Po’Shines Cafe De La Soul
8139 N Denver Ave, Portland, OR 97217
(503) 978-9000
Support this non-profit, church-operated Cajun soul food restaurant that has been feeding the black community for over ten years. Rejuvenate your soul and your stomach with Chef James Bradley’s catfish po’boys. The restaurant has expanded to include a catering company and a culinary clinic for anyone pursuing a career in culinary arts.