Kwanzaa is a time for celebration and affirmation of bonds within African American and pan African communities, families and culture. The week-long holiday commences on December 26 and culminates in a feast called Karamu Ya Imani on day six or seven. Each of the seven days centers on a principle of African heritage, or the “nguzo saba” in Swahili, such as unity, self determination, purpose, creativity and faith. Before Kwanzaa comes to a close, the Karamu feast brings families together to commune and enjoy dishes, like black eyed peas for good luck, and collard greens for good fortune. You might also see harvest veggies and crops (mazao), like yam and okra, side dishes, like cornbread, plantains, red beans and mac-and-cheese, one-pot dishes, including jollof rice, gumbo and jambalaya, meats, like jerk chicken, and seafood, like salt fish, catfish, crab, shrimp and oysters, at the table. Ears of corn are often also laid out to represent the children in the family, and their parents’ wishes for them.
If you’re looking to outsource a bit of the culinary to-dos this year, we’ve got 10 places offering catering and fantastic home-cooked food to enjoy at home in PA this Kwanzaa.
SEPA
Sheba’s Soul Plate: Nestled into University City you’ll find this unassuming and beloved takeout restaurant with southern American, African and Caribbean food. Salmon, chicken and curry feature heavily among the entrees, which come with rice and peas, candied yams and collard greens. For a large family dinner, check out Sheba’s catering menu, with full pans of grilled chicken, glazed salmon and jerk veggie stir-fry and half pans of its popular sides. Sheba’s is open Wednesday through Saturday, 12:30 to 8 p.m., with both pickup and delivery options available. 90 S. 44th St., Philadelphia; (484) 781-9795.
Catering by Mabel’s Barbecue
Mabel’s Barbecue: This local favorite in the West Chester borough is known for perfectly cooked soul food you can eat in, take out or order catered. There’s plenty of smoked meat, like ribs, pulled pork, brisket and chicken on the menu, but don’t hesitate to order otherwise. Fish platters, like whiting, catfish and flounder, are big hits, along with sides that pull it all together and showcase Mabel’s attention-to-detail: collard greens, sweet potatoes, mac-and-cheese and more. 7 Up cake and sweet potato pie finish it off. For catering, call Mabel’s for a quote and choose from meat or fish trays with your choice of sides, ranging from $25 to $50 per tray plus gratuity. Mabel’s Barbecue is open 1 to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. 607 E. Market St., West Chester; (610) 701-0288.
Chrisetta’s Kitchen: Enjoy the flavors of West Africa in this allergen-friendly restaurant located in the bottom floor of First Presbyterian Church in the borough of West Chester. It offers numerous vegan and gluten-free selections, and a variety of delivery options (Grubhub, Uber Eats and DoorDash). You’ll find collard greens with rice or fufu, stewed oxtail with fried plantains, whole fried fish with rice, and loads of vegan options, including collard greens, cassava leaf and palm butter. Chrisetta’s Kitchen is open from 4 – 9 p.m. every day but Sunday. 130 W. Miner St., West Chester; (484) 630-1818.
Lehigh Valley & NEPA
Da Judah-s Kitchen: This African eatery in Allentown’s 6th Ward neighborhood offers Kenyan delights with Ghanaian and Liberian influences throughout the menu. Enjoy entrees like yellow rice with coconut beans, stewed cassava leaves with goat meat, kuta fish, smoked chicken and cow feet, chicken wings and fish fry. Sides include fufu, beef or chickpea samosas, plantains and more. For a sweet touch, try the house-made juices, like Mango Fool made with pineapple, mango and papaya. Eat in, take out or contact owner Tina to put together a custom catering menu. 189 Tilghman St., Allentown; (610) 509-7874.
Catering by Paradise Soulfood & Sweets
Paradise Soulfood & Sweets: For mobile catering and personal chef services in NEPA this holiday season, look no further than Paradise Soulfood & Sweets. Email [email protected] to arrange for dishes like baked chicken, turkey, wings, sweet ginger salmon and shrimp, fried and jerk chicken, coconut rice with pigeon peas and sides like honey cornbread and green beans. Tack on some pistachio or Oreo cupcakes, relax and enjoy! (570) 543-2301.
Central PA
Southern Side Kitchen: Owner Shanda Joof brings soul food flavors of southern Florida to PA with her catering and generously-portioned farmers market offerings that include wingettes, fried catfish, whiting, pork chops and chicken, and barbecue ribs with fantastic sides like black eyed peas, sweet yams, collard greens, deviled eggs and mac and cheese. If possible, leave room for desserts: sweet potato pie and cheesecake, peach cobbler and creamy banana pudding with vanilla wafers await. Southern Side Kitchen is open in the Shillington Farmers Market Wednesday through Saturday, with weekly menus posted on its Facebook page. Shillington Farmers Market, 10 S. Summit Ave., Shillington; (484) 954-9108.
Burnt ends and green beans by Sweet T & Greens
Sweet T & Greens: For amazing soul food in Hershey, head to Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square to find Sweet T & Greens’ delights to-go, or message to coordinate a catered meal. Sweet T’s market stand has mouthwatering smoked and fried meats and seafood, like oxtail, brisket, catfish, jumbo shrimp and salmon with collard greens, pickled eggs and beets and baked beans on the side. Sauces like peach bourbon BBQ and cajun tartar take it over the top, and good luck choosing between sweets, like banana pudding and sweet potato bourbon cupcakes, for dessert. Sweet T & Greens offers an extensive catering menu as well, with smoked and fried proteins, pasta and over 20 soulful sides. Most dishes can be prepared vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free upon request. Email ([email protected]), Facebook message or head to the farm stand to arrange your custom feast! Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square, 121 Towne Square Dr., Hershey; (717) 298-6202.
Western PA
Soul Food Connection: With 30 years in business and going strong, this family-owned restaurant in Wilkinsburg has the recipe for southern comfort and supremely satisfying soul food. You can order a la carte for lunch and dinner entrees spanning rib and perch sandwiches, seafood dinners with whiting, catfish, tilapia or fried shrimp, meaty spare ribs, liver and onions or salisbury steak, or chicken breast, thighs, drumsticks or wings. For a large crew at family dinner, Soul Food Connection offers 10, 15 or 25 piece chicken and 10 or 15 piece fish family dinners with sides. Tack on Hoppin’ John (a one-pot dish of black eyed peas, veggies, pork and rice eaten on New Year’s Day for prosperity), lima beans, greens, mashed potatoes and more for the full experience. Note that Soul Food Connection is open 11 a.m to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, so get there early! 819 Wood St., Pittsburgh; (412) 241-4910.
Fabs Restaurant: For dine-in, takeout or delivery via Doordash, Grubhub and Uber Eats, try Fabs Restaurant in McKees Rocks for a crowd pleasing lunch or dinner. Start with pepper soup (beef, goat or fresh fish), Nigerian moin moin bean pudding or thin sliced beef suya before diving into entrees like jollof and meat, smothered pork chop, fried catfish or whole red snapper. There are over a dozen savory soups and stews to choose from like cassava leaf, brown beef and chicken peanut butter. Karamu staples abound on the sides: okra, stew, jollof rice, fried plantains, candied yams, corn on the cob and a whole lot more. Fabs is open Monday through Saturday. 811 Broadway Avenue, McKees Rocks; (412) 503-9090.
Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro: Find Caribbean and southern fusion at this popular Erie eatery, which offers both dine in and takeout options. Apps like crabmeat hushpuppies and beef empanadas kick it off, followed by a bevy of tasty, inventive entrees, like burgers, bourbon fried chicken, blackened salmon, seared catfish and chicken and waffles. Make sure you try the comfort food sides, like yellow stoned grits, plantains and mashed potatoes and finish with a belt busting dessert like bread pudding or apple pie. Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro is open Wednesday through Saturday from 4 – 9 p.m. 1402 W. 10th St., Erie; (814) 454-0700.
We hope you enjoy this special time of year!
- Feature photo: Bigstock
- All other photos: courtesy of the respective businesses
