How Chicago’s Food Industry Is Responding to Black Lives Matter Protests

Stories and news on how protests, as well as looting and vandalism, are affecting Chicago restaurants and bars

Contributors: Naomi Waxman, aimee.levitt, and Ashok Selvam

After George Floyd was killed during an arrest by police on May 25 in Minneapolis, millions of people in all 50 U.S. states and across the world took to the streets to protest police brutality against African Americans.

In some cities, including Chicago, looting and vandalism has taken place as well. These events emerged just as Chicago restaurants were allowed to start reopening for outdoor dine-in service, leading to confusion and apprehension on the part of some business owners. Others, however, have expressed explicit support for Black Lives Matter, the protests, and the cause at hand.

The ongoing fight to end police brutality against Black Americans is inextricably linked to the hospitality industry. Eater Chicago plans to track the affects of these protests on the city’s restaurant scene.

This stream will continue to be updated with new stories.

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November 22, 2021
Chicago’s Black-Owned Restaurants Earned More Than $1 Million on Juneteenth

By Naomi Waxman and aimee.levitt

Also, robots are cooking in Naperville and 5 Loaves Eatery wants $85K
October 27, 2020
Kuma’s Corner’s Police Discounts Angers Band Whose Name Was Featured

By Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel
1 comment / new

The burger bar didn’t ask permission to reference the band Weekend Nachos

1 comment / new
October 14, 2020
Tickets For Chicago’s Black Restaurant Festival Go On Sale Thursday

By Naomi Waxman and Ashok Selvam

Plus, a popular Chicago restaurant owner tries his luck at a food truck
September 23, 2020
Blaktober, a Festival for Black-Owned Restaurants, Will Debut Next Month

By Ashok Selvam and Naomi Waxman

Plus, a fundraiser for the venerable Hideout Inn is planned
September 8, 2020
Passerotto to Close in Andersonville After Three Years

By Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel

The ethics of properly running a restaurant have weighed on owner and chef Jennifer Kim
August 31, 2020
Black Lives Matter-Inspired Restaurant Database Aims to Keep Owners Accountable

By Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel
1 comment / new

CHAAD is an effort led by industry workers that tracks if restaurant owners are truly anti-racist

1 comment / new
August 28, 2020
Chicago Gourmet Pivots as Pandemic and Black Lives Matter Protests Continue

By Naomi Waxman and Ashok Selvam

Plus, "jagoffs" vandalize Ed Marszewski’s Bridgeport art display
August 25, 2020
Delta Owner Hopes to Retain Momentum for Black-Owned Restaurants

By Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel

The Delta reopens in Wicker Park as the owner ponders national expansion
July 22, 2020
Kuma’s Corner Apologizes for Toxic Workplace Culture

By Ashok Selvam and Naomi Waxman

Plus, Big Star pledges to help neighborhood taquerias stay open
July 16, 2020
A Top Black Chef in Chicago Shows Respect For a Colleague in Seattle

By Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel

Erick Williams of Virtue sees a kindred spirit in Edouardo Jordan of JuneBaby
June 25, 2020
Nini’s Deli Food Truck Spoof Runs Out of Food, Raises $11K for Charities

By Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel

Nono’s Deli was a hit and is looking for larger sponsorships
June 17, 2020
More Than 70 Black-Owned Chicago Restaurants Plan Juneteenth Specials

By Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel

Plus, Chicago bakers rally against racism in the trans community with a virtual bake sale
June 8, 2020
African American and Latinx Unity Rally to Feature 35 Top Chicago Chefs

By Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel

Healthy Hood Chicago wants to ease neighborhood tensions with Monday night’s rally
June 8, 2020
Nini’s Deli Closes After Protests Over Racist and Homophobic Remarks

By Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel
1 comment / new

Plus, Marz and Kimski’s owners launch a "Community Kitchen"

1 comment / new
June 5, 2020
Restaurant Reopen as Protests Continue in Chicago

By Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel

Chicago balances social justice reform with celebrating recovery from the pandemic
June 5, 2020
Racist Social Media Posts from Restaurant Owners Spark Outrage

By Naomi Waxman

A brewery co-owner claims George Floyd’s death is a government-led hoax
June 4, 2020
Garifuna Flava Relies on Community Guidance During Tumultuous Times

By Naomi Waxman

Read, in their own words, how Chicago restaurant leaders are coping with the COVID-19 outbreak
June 2, 2020
Chicago Will Reopen Restaurants Wednesday for Outdoor Dining

By Ashok Selvam and Naomi Waxman

The city will also go forward with closing streets for tables and chairs
June 2, 2020
Chicago’s Black Restaurant Owners Search for Solutions as Protests Continue

By Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel

Loss of business from the city’s road closures and curfew and the threat of property damage amid protests is posing a greater challenge for Black owners
June 1, 2020
Chicago May Delay Closing Streets for Outdoor Dining

By Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel

While patio dining is on track for Wednesday, the city could wait to shut down streets for tables and chairs
June 1, 2020
Mayor Lori Lightfoot Defends Chicago’s Response to Looters

By Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel

Many restaurant owners spent the weekend picking up broken glass
June 1, 2020
Restaurants Step Up With Free Food As Chicago Public Schools Suspends Meal Program

By Naomi Waxman

Chicago’s hospitality industry continues to serve the community even in uncertain times

How Chicago’s Food Industry Is Responding to Black Lives Matter Protests

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