Black Chicago Eats Week Spotlights Black-Owned Restaurants Through Aug. 12

There's a market for Black-owned restaurants in Chicago —look at how enthusiastic folks react when Batter & Berries gets a mention. But one of the challenges is better outreach and tapping into a wider market. Those are goals for the organizers behind Black Chicago Eats, a directory of 200-plus Black-owned Chicago restaurants. Now through Aug. 12, they're holding Black Chicago Eats Week to highlight a few of those restaurants on the directory.

The Tribune spoke with organizer Toure Muhammad who talked about the community value of Black-owned restaurants and the need to ensure a wider audience knows about them. They're encouraging diners to check out participating restaurants, which include Turkey Chop Gourmet Chili, Brown Sugar Bakery, Peaches on 47th, Soul Vegetarian East and Mikkey's Retro Grill.

Efforts to shine the spotlight on Black-owned restaurants aren't new. Back in February, separate organizers held the first-annual Chicago Black Restaurant Week. The event was a success, and organizers said it will return next year.