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Chicago Black Restaurant Week Is Returning With Even More Options

By Stephen Gossett in Food on Feb 8, 2017 6:15PM

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Luella's Southern Kitchen

After a successful launch a year ago, the Chicago Black Restaurant Week is back again for an even bigger sophomore edition, we’re happy to report.

The annual dining-deal event, which offers discounts at nearly two-dozen black-owned restaurants in the Chicago area, has expanded from last year, when 17 food proprietors participated. It runs from Sunday, Feb 12 to Sunday, Feb 19.

Public-relations pro Lauran Smith debuted CBRW in 2016 in part because almost none of Chicago’s 100-plus black-owned restaurants participated in Restaurant Week—which again wraps up this year just as Smith’s event kicks off. “I want to honor (black-owned restaurants) and give them the spotlight,” Smith told the Tribune. “There are so many businesses with good food.”

Unlike Restaurant Week, participating spots in CBRW each have their own selected discounts, rather than an across-the-board markdown. An updated list of participating dining options is available here, and diners are encouraged to contact restaurants for specific discount info.

A handful of the many options: The Crazy Crab Chicago, Luella’s Southern Kitchen, Peach’s Restaurant, Currency Exchange Café, Harold’s Chicken in Homewood and NADIA’s Gourmet Grapes.

More than 500 people participated in last year’s debut—a number Smith hopes to see climb even higher this time around.

@officialchicagobrw - Black HERstory Fact: Chicago Black Restaurant Week™ was "designed" and created by a local publicist, named @lauranslane, who wanted to celebrate Black History in her own way. Noticing that there was NOTHING like this for the Black Communities in Chicago, she started CBRW, strictly on social media...and on day one of its creation, she had 100+ followers. The community was excited about what was getting ready to happen, and 1,152 followers later, #CBRW is in its 2nd year. #ChicagoRestaurants #ChicagoBlackRestaurantWeek™ #February2017 #ChicagoBRW™ #FoodiesWelcome #FoodPorn #BlackOwned #GoodFoodChicago #SupportSmallBusinesses #SocialMedia #SocialMediaMarketing #SocialMediaManagement #PublicRelations #PR #InstaRestaurants #FollowCBRW #Fruit #Veggies #GreatFood #CBRW™ #BlackChicago #BlackBusinessOwners #BlackRestauranteurs #RestaurantsInChicago

A photo posted by Stephanie D. Coleman (@stephaniedcoleman) on