DALLAS — Juneteenth is Wednesday, June 19. The holiday marks the day when enslaved people in Texas were finally told they were free -- two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
The African American community has celebrated Juneteenth for decades, but it wasn't considered a federal U.S. holiday until 2021.
On top of several events going on across North Texas to commemorate the holiday, you can also celebrate by supporting Black-owned restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Here's a list of a few Black-owned restaurants in DFW.
Dallas area
Fully known as Taste Bud Invasion, this Old East Dallas restaurant describes itself as a "fast, gourmet" restaurant.
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Located in Oak Cliff, Casa del Vegano offers vegan options of Tex-Mex favorites.
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For those looking for a to-go plate, Granny Jas is a pickup-only service, featuring soul food classics and a specialty Soul Food Pie.
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This Cedars district smokehouse features all types of BBQ, from pork ribs to beef brisket to smoked chicken.
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Located near Bishop Arts, Kessler Baking Studio offers scratch made cookies and brownies, including their signature Texas pecan shortbread cookie, which is shaped like Texas!
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Smokey John's has been making traditional hickory-smoked Southern BBQ for more than 40 years. The BBQ joint even won third place in H-E-B's Quest for Texas Best competition.
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This Oak Cliff restaurant describes itself as "Contemporary Cajun and Creole classics in a place that embodies the spirit of Louisiana hospitality."
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The Island Spot is a family-owned restaurant serving authentic Jamaican fair and tropical drinks just south of the Bishop Arts District.
Fort Worth area
This shop serves coffee in its many forms offering a constantly changing palette of single-origins, blends, and roast levels.
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Belzoni's is a small restaurant in the White Settlement in Fort Worth. The restaurant serves fried catfish with sides like greens, hushpuppies, green beans and mac and cheese.
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This popular BBQ joint says you can't rush perfection. Their staff slow-smokes the BBQ for hours to make sure it's just right!
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With locations around DFW, Cookie Society offers large cookies on a menu that rotates monthly. The bakery's claim to fame was a shoutout from Oprah Winfrey.
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With locations all around DFW, Ronnie's offers catfish, burgers, pork chops and an array of sides.
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Located in the historically Black neighborhood of Como, Drew's has been serving soul food since 1987.
There is an Instagram page dedicated to Black-owned restaurants in DFW, click here to check out the ones not featured in this list.
