TAMPA, Fla. — Black-owned restaurants across the Tampa Bay area are gearing up for a week of specials as Black Restaurant Week starts on Friday, Nov. 10.
During a kick-off mixer held Thursday night at 7th and Grove, folks got a sneak peek at where they may want to take their lunch breaks this week.
“Not trying to be cocky, but we know once that food hit their palette…we know what it is,” Eddie Rumlin, co-owner of M&R catering told 10 Tampa Bay about his restaurant's specialties.
Eddie’s wife and co-owner Maria echoed his sentiments saying their business is “where flavor resides.”
They are one of many restaurants participating in Florida Black Restaurant Week 2023.
This is a week where Black-owned restaurants are spotlighted, while running deals that could save you some cash.
“The restaurants are offering specials,” Falayn Ferrell, the managing partner of Black Restaurant Week, said. “We encourage the public to come out try something new that you haven’t had before, and really support local businesses.”
Organizers say Florida Black Restaurant Week is free for businesses to participate in and helps them draw in new customers with marketing tied to the week — something the co-owner of 7th and Grove says is invaluable.
“We have to be visible for people to know that we actually exist,” 7th and Grove co-owner Jamaris Glenn said.
With peach cobbler and homemade mac and cheese presented for attendees to try out, owners from Mr. B’s in Tampa said good food can do a lot more than stop your stomach from growling.
“No matter what you’re going through…food is comforting,” co-owner Ninkia Green said.
If you plan on making your way to try out some new food at participating restaurants, organizers just hope you remember to keep that same energy when Black Restaurant Week is over.
“We need to support these restaurants more than just during Black Restaurant Week, we need to support these restaurants all year long,” Ferrell said.
Florida Black Restaurant Week runs from Nov. 10-19, and more than a dozen Tampa Bay area restaurants are participating, including:
- Zin's House of Flavors
- Isaac's World Famous Burgers
- Rose Bar Tampa
- 7th & Grove
- Mr. B's Southern Cuisine
- Mr. B's Restaurant
- M& R Cafe Southern Cuisine
- Maine Course Restaurant and Lounge
- Coasis Restaurant & Bar
- The Cookie Monster Cookies
- TCM Cookie
- Bradley's Family Restaurant
- Steaming Pots West Africa Cuisine
- YUPPI