August is National Black Business Month, an annual observance that celebrates Black-owned businesses and the entrepreneurs behind them. It’s the perfect excuse to support local Black-owned restaurants in Arizona while exploring the diverse flavors they bring to the state’s dining scene.
From historic soul food institutions and chef-driven restaurants to Ethiopian, West African, Caribbean, and Southern-inspired cuisine, these businesses tell stories that extend well beyond what’s on the plate.
Whether you’re looking for a new date-night destination, a weekend brunch, or an unforgettable meal, these locally owned restaurants in Greater Phoenix and Tucson offer plenty of reasons to explore Arizona’s diverse dining scene.
Greater Phoenix
Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe (Phoenix)
A downtown Phoenix landmark since 1964, Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe has spent more than six decades serving Southern comfort food while becoming one of Arizona’s most beloved soul food restaurants. Founder Elizabeth White opened the cafe during the Civil Rights Movement after moving to Phoenix from Texas as a single mother, and today, at 103 years old, she still occasionally stops by the restaurant that bears her name.
Now run by her grandson, Larry White Jr., the family-owned institution is famous for its golden fried chicken, smothered chicken, fried catfish, homemade peach cobbler, and classic sides that have kept generations of Arizonans coming back.
LATHA (Phoenix)
Named for the Swahili word for “flavor,” LATHA celebrates the rich culinary traditions of Africa and its diaspora through a menu that traces the interconnected foodways of Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, and the American South. Founder Evelia Davis drew inspiration from her travels throughout Africa to create a restaurant centered on culture, community, and storytelling, while U.S. Virgin Islands native Chef Digby Stridiron brings his own island influences to the contemporary pan-African menu.
Expect thoughtfully crafted dishes like pineapple piri piri chicken, oxtail barbacoa, and shrimp aguachile alongside a beverage program that highlights Black-owned wines and spirits.
Chilte (Phoenix)
From a 10-by-10 farmers market tent to one of Arizona’s most celebrated restaurants, Chilte has enjoyed a meteoric rise since opening its brick-and-mortar location in 2023. Chef and co-owner Lawrence “LT” Smith and business partner Aseret Arroyo blend Smith’s Southern roots, Arroyo’s Sinaloan heritage, and Sonoran Desert ingredients into inventive “new-wave” Mexican cuisine.
The menu features creative dishes like birria with miso consommé, squid-ink tortillas, mole de la casa, and green chorizo vampiros. Smith was named a Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2024 and a James Beard Award Emerging Chef semifinalist the following year.
ATL Wings (Multiple Valley Locations)
What began as a single Chandler restaurant in 2012 has grown into one of Arizona’s favorite wing destinations. Husband-and-wife team Mike and Cianna Kirksey built ATL Wings around jumbo chicken wings tossed in scratch-made sauces ranging from the signature ATL Dry Rub and Garlic Parmesan to Honey Habanero and the fiery Lady Killa.
Beyond wings and award-winning sauces, the menu includes chicken sliders, loaded fries, chicken tenders, onion rings, deep fried pickle slices, and other comfort food favorites. The “ATL” stands for “All the Luv”—a philosophy the couple says is the first ingredient in everything they serve.
Pour Decisions Patio & Kitchen (Scottsdale)
After decades in the hospitality industry, Monique and Jackson Armstrong transformed a longtime Scottsdale breakfast spot into Pour Decisions Patio & Kitchen, a lively neighborhood gathering place known for elevated comfort food and a welcoming atmosphere.
The menu features burgers, wings, flatbreads, nachos, rice bowls, and playful creations like the “Walk of Shamewich.” Fans of “Restaurant: Impossible” may recognize the couple from their previous restaurant, Ginger Monkey Gastropub, where celebrity chef Robert Irvine helped with a transformation—and later officiated the Armstrongs’ wedding.
SugarJam The Southern Kitchen (Scottsdale)
What started as Dana Dumas’ home baking business has grown into one of Scottsdale’s most popular brunch destinations. Inspired by family recipes and Southern hospitality, SugarJam serves elevated comfort food with dishes like French Toast N’ Fried Chicken, Creole Shrimp N’ Grits, catfish, smoked meats, and chicken and waffles.
Save room for dessert—the sweet potato pie, bourbon pecan pie, peach cobbler, and cookies all trace back to the baking business that launched Dumas’ culinary career. Today, SugarJam welcomes more than 200 guests a day and continues to build a loyal following for its soulful take on brunch.
Soul Fire Tacos (Scottsdale)
Dana Dumas of SugarJam expanded her restaurant group in early 2026 with Soul Fire Tacos, a fast-casual concept that celebrates the shared culinary traditions of Black and Brown cultures.
The menu blends Southern soul food with Mexican, Creole, and Caribbean influences through dishes like beer-battered catfish tacos, short rib birria tacos, soulful rice bowls, tequila lime wings, and the signature Soul Roll—a crispy combination of mac and cheese, candied yams, and greens. Located just a few doors from SugarJam, it’s a creative new addition to Scottsdale’s dining scene.
Problem Lounge (Scottsdale)
One of Old Town Scottsdale’s newest dining destinations (opened July 2026), Problem Lounge brings together upscale dining, nightlife, and Southern-inspired flavors under one roof.
The three-story venue is a collaboration between NFL star Deebo Samuel and Chef Cleashaun Hill, pairing an Italian steakhouse menu with Creole-Cajun influences (think: Crawfish alfredo fettucine, Lobster deviled eggs, and Jasmine crab fried rice), handcrafted cocktails, and an energetic atmosphere. Guests can enjoy fine dining on the first floor, move upstairs to the lounge, or head to the rooftop for panoramic views and a vibrant late-night scene, making it as much a destination as it is a restaurant.
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice (Chandler)
Need something sweet? Head to Jeremiah’s Italian Ice in northwest Chandler, where owner Raul Harris serves colorful Italian ice, creamy soft serve, and the brand’s signature Jelati—a layered combination of the two. More than 40 rotating flavors (like Horchata, Black Cherry, and Bahama Breeze) mean there’s always something new to try, whether you’re craving fruity favorites or decadent dessert-inspired combinations. Harris, who also works as a mortgage loan officer, is expanding his Jeremiah’s footprint with a second franchise location inside State Farm Stadium.
Tucson
Cafe Desta
Since opening in 2010, Cafe Desta has introduced Tucson diners to the vibrant flavors of Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine in a warm, welcoming setting just south of downtown.
Traditional meat and vegan dishes are served atop fresh injera—a soft, spongy flatbread used to scoop up richly spiced stews, vegetables, and lentils. The restaurant is especially known for its vegetarian sampler, flavorful lamb and chicken dishes, and authentic Ethiopian coffee, making it an excellent first stop for anyone looking to explore East African cuisine.
Zemam’s Ethiopian Cuisine
Long before Ethiopian cuisine became familiar to many Tucson diners, Amanuel Gebremariam was introducing the city to the flavors he grew up with. After arriving in the U.S. as a refugee more than 40 years ago, he settled in Tucson and, despite having no formal culinary training, opened Zemam’s (named in honor of his mother) in 1993 with just a handful of tables.
Today, the family-run restaurant is considered Tucson’s first Ethiopian restaurant and the anchor of the city’s Z-Street cultural district, where diners gather over communal platters of richly spiced stews, vegetables, and freshly made injera. More than 30 years later, Gebremariam’s sons have joined the business, helping carry on the family legacy.
Mr. K’s Original BBQ
Smoke has been billowing from Mr. K’s Original BBQ for nearly three decades. Founded in 1997 by Mr. K and his son, Ray Kendrick, the restaurant grew out of an effort to support Tucson’s Afro-American Heritage Museum and has since become a neighborhood staple.
Diners come for slow-smoked brisket, ribs, hot links, catfish, and classic Southern sides served without any fuss—just generous portions and family recipes that have stood the test of time.
Chef Brian’s Comfort Kitchen
After cooking for celebrities including Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and Eddie Murphy—and appearing on “Top Chef,” “Beat Bobby Flay,” and other television shows—Chef Brian Hill brought his talents to Tucson. His restaurant specializes in what he calls elevated comfort food, pairing perfectly fried chicken with seafood, vegan options, and inventive dishes inspired by both his Washington, D.C., roots and decades in professional kitchens.
Favorites include My Granddad’s Chicken Salad, A Taste of the Caribbean, Super Dope Chicken Tenders, and The No More Drama Fish Sammy. Hill’s motto is simple: maximum flavor, served with genuine hospitality.
Alafia West African Cuisine
One of the few restaurants in Arizona dedicated to the cuisine of West Africa, Alafia introduces diners to the traditional flavors of Benin through hearty, boldly seasoned dishes prepared with authentic ingredients (they travel back to Africa to stock up on spices).
The menu showcases specialties that aren’t easily found elsewhere in the state, making it a destination for adventurous eaters as well as anyone looking to experience another corner of Africa’s rich culinary heritage.
Janet & Ray’s Caribbean Soul Restaurant
For more than two decades, Janet & Ray’s Caribbean Soul Restaurant has been serving authentic Caribbean comfort food in Tucson, earning a loyal following for its flavorful home-style cooking and warm hospitality.
The family-owned restaurant specializes in Jamaican and Caribbean favorites, including jerk chicken, braised oxtails, curry goat, fried catfish, and slow-cooked soul food classics, all prepared with recipes rooted in tradition.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
