Soul food, which has its roots in the African diaspora and the customs and culinary practices of the southern Black community, is characterized by its rich flavors and inventiveness.
By making a great deal of something out of materials that were frequently rejected in other kitchens, its pioneers planted the seeds for a naturally nose-to-tail cuisine that is now upgraded and/or reinterpreted by top chefs. It highlights the widespread regard and cultural relevance of soul food.
For the majority of fans, however, soul food is best when it’s traditional, the flavors they recall getting from foil trays at church cookouts or their grandmother’s house, or when it’s brought to their tables at their favorite Southern diners back home.
Examining Civil Rights and Soul Food in Parramore with Two Generations at Nikki’s Place
Charla L. Draper, a nationally renowned culinary communications specialist and food influencer who previously served as the food editor for Southern Living and Ebony magazines, launched National Soul Food Month.
“I’m fortunate to have a family of talented chefs, and I came to see that traditional soul foods were deserving of celebration,” Draper says. Accordingly, June was designated as National Soul Food Month in 2001 and was listed in Chase’s yearly Calendar of Events.
But putting it on the map?
That’s a continuous endeavor! She chuckles.
Along with the support of our sponsors and foodies, our website, NationalSoulFoodMonth.com, and the passion of program participants like Chicago chef Cliff Rome (Peach’s Restaurant), James Beard Foundation Award-winning V. Sheree Williams of Cuisine Noir magazine, and soul food scholar Adrian Miller have been invaluable.
Do you want to contribute? In what’s left of June and beyond, put these and other local soul food treasures on your list of things to do.
I was immediately drawn to Seana’s when it opened on the west side of town nearly six years ago. You certainly don’t have to believe me these days. The delicacies prepared by Joshua Johnson’s talented chef, Tim Brown, are always going viral, and a good portion of the NBA frequents this charming small restaurant while they’re in town. Favorites like Miss Pam’s shrimp and wing baskets, smothered turkey wings, and honey garlic lemon pepper lamb chops are now available after 8 p.m. for fans, newcomers, and anyone else seeking a fine soul food fix. Most recently, it was the newish oxtail pasta dish that people were chowing down on in the virtual world before making their dreams come true in real life.
Today, Seana’s is open until 11 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
About three years ago, one of our line cooks asked if he might remain for a few hours since he needed some additional cash. Joshua Johnson, the owner of Seana, says, “He thought maybe we’d get some business because he saw that nothing else in the area was open.”
As it happened, he was right.
Many people started stopping on a regular basis, but Seana has since scaled back the practice. However, because of the fans’ persistent requests for information about when they might open late again and Advent Health’s opening of a new hospital (one of its administrators even stopped by and asked if they would consider opening late again), Johnson and his team made the decision to remain open late, four days a week.
“Business has been good, and now you have even more timing options to pop in and check out the food that the best ballers in the country crave,” Johnson says.
Seana’s: 321-800-6846; Seanasorlando.com; 719 Good Homes Road, Orlando
At the age of ten, chef Nick Aiken started working at what was then Roser’s Restaurant.There were several Black-owned companies in Parramore, a lively area of the city. Among them was Roser’s. Additionally, he learnt how to prepare candied yams, sweet potato pie, beef stew, and chicken there. from the beginning. In what is now his family’s home, Nikki’s Place, he prepares them in the same manner as he does a ton of other foods. The food at Nikki’s is what everyone who has enjoyed it for more than 25 years remembers, even as times change in Orlando and elsewhere. This has been the case since 1999. Run, don’t walk, if you haven’t arrived at this 407 institution for whatever reason. Because when you go, you will most certainly not be able to flee. Not with so much food in that belly.
Nikki’s Place: 844-536-7962; 742 Carter St., Orlando; nikkisplace.net
Some soul food restaurants have a Caribbean touch, and this vibrant small place on the west side serves Haitian staples like griot and goat stew in addition to conventional dishes like fried chicken, meatloaf, and turkey wings. Bravo for some incredibly fast-moving pikliz!
The other advantage is that Sunshine Soulfood is hidden inside the Caribbean Sunshine Bakery, which transforms it into an island-style mini-food hall. Bring a group, reserve a booth, and order a veritable buffet that includes everything from curries to ackee and salt fish to oxtail and shrimp, as well as dessert options. If you have a particular hunger, think about phoning ahead to see what’s available. Good foods often take a long to prepare, which is why people who wait frequently get them.
Sunshine Soulfood Cafe: 2528 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, 407-839-8999; Instagram: https://sunshinesoulfoodcafefl; housed inside the Caribbean Sunshine Bakery
Fans wait in line for serving spoons that practically pile the collards and cabbage mac and cheese into their own takeout boxes, along with main courses like meatloaf, smothered pork chops, and flavorful baked chicken. The sides at this Eatonville bungalow are insanely delicious. One of the most heartwarming segments from Netflix’s Somebody Feed Philin 2024’s Orlando-focused episode was Kim Middleton’s. Everything this Thai-raised powerhouse touches tastes like heaven from her kitchen, according to her devoted clientele. Make sure you answer “yes” when the person behind the counter at this all-takeout establishment asks if you would want gravy on your rice. Additionally, while you’re at it, get a piece of pineapple cake.
Kook n With Kim: 407-683-0815; Instagram: https://kooknwithkim; 307 W. Kennedy Blvd., Orlando
You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram at @amydrooor on the OSFoodie account @orlando.foodie. [email protected] is the email address. Join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group for more culinary adventures.
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