There are numerous reasons to support the Black-owned businesses in your community, which emerge and thrive despite hurdles of racial wealth gaps, access to venture capital, network barriers and other systemic challenges. Supporting local Black-owned businesses is an investment in your community that helps to strengthen its economy and job security while supporting a rich, diverse cultural fabric.
Our ever evolving list of Black-owned food businesses includes bakeries, cafes, caterers, restaurants and more, with those below operating in the Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The family of The Taste Smokers in Bethlehem.
Bakeries, Snacks & Sweets
Carline’s Cheesecakes: Homemade, fresh and delicious, these cheesecakes go way beyond the typical flavors with offerings like pistachio, Nutella swirl, lemon, peanut butter cup and chocolate chip cookie. New flavors are introduced weekly, and reportedly, vegan options are coming soon! If you prefer a classic cheesecake, Carline’s knocks that out of the park, too. Call or text to order. no listed address, Scranton; (570) 677-3271.
Cece J’s Snacks
Cece J’s Snacks: This Allentown-based company ships its nutritious and tasty dried fruit and vegetable snacks nationwide. Try inventive flavors like blueberry chocolate pear and chicken and waffle chips, all found within the online store and through a variety of online and brick and mortar vendors. 1006 Hanover Ave., Allentown; (610) 717-3953.
Custom cake cores by Cupcake Chromatography
Cupcake Chromatography: In its “cake lab” in the Poconos, Cupcake Chromatography concocts exquisite, small batch baked goods including cookies and its signature cake cores, which are tubular sections of cake and alternating layers of frosting. There are vegan options and sweet subscriptions to keep the treats coming. A portion of the proceeds support STEM education in underserved communities. Order about a week ahead and enjoy. Online operations, based in Anamolink.
Mia & Maddie’s Bakery: Owner Eileen Newman channels her passion for baking into everything she makes, starting with high-quality, organic ingredients and from-scratch methods. From everyday goodies, like banana bread and apple crumb bars to custom cupcakes and layer cakes, find everything you crave at this local bakery. Peruse the selection in-store, or order ahead to pick up; deliveries are offered within a 40-mile radius of Easton. 34 N. 2nd St., Easton; (484) 548-2045.
Coffee Shops & Cafes
Protein-packed treats at Beyond Fitness Nutrition
Beyond Fitness Nutrition: For healthy treats that taste divine like protein based baked goods, shakes and clean energy teas, head to Head to Beyond Fitness Nutrition aka BFN Cafe in Emmaus. Owner and Wellness Coach Suki Anderson helps the community stay healthy and achieve fitness goals with low calorie, low carb, low sugar and protein-packed items like waffles, mini donuts, Bundt cakes, iced coffee, hot cocoa and lots more. She also offers a variety of fitness and nutrition sessions, which you can learn more about through her Instagram and Facebook accounts. 420 Chestnut St., Emmaus; (347) 460-4503.
Gems & Joe: Sit down and relax at Gems & Joe in downtown Allentown, where you’ll find classic caffeinated brews like drip coffee, cortado and lattes plus sweets like warm cookies, croissants, fruit danishes and ice cream. The bright interior and warm service add to the appeal and make it an ideal spot for working or catching up with a friend. 1019 Hamilton St., Allentown; no phone.
The Honey Bean Bakery & Coffee Shop: Vanessa Reed’s fan base continues to grow as her cozy, vegan friendly cafe in Sayre offers scrumptious house made sweets like cookies, cream pies and scones, coffee drinks like cappuccinos and matcha lattes, and a peaceful ambiance with books and plants lining the interior. 429 N. Keystone Ave, Sayre; (607) 857-1713.
Inside Medina Books and Coffee
Medina Books and Coffee: This impossibly cozy book store nestled in an old house hosts a book club, special events and offers delicious complimentary tea and coffees like raspberry fusion and cinnamon spice fusion flavors. Medina Books and Coffees also offers a Coffee Blind Date gift box with your choice of literary genre in addition to monthly subscriptions. 20 S Main St., Coopersburg; no phone.
Catering & Food Trucks
Cafe Calle: Shauntelle Callahan’s mobile espresso bar is available for booking throughout NEPA for weddings, baby showers and other special private events, serving favorites like chai latte, cappuccino and dark mocha. You can follow Cafe Calle on Facebook and Instagram. Scranton area; (570) 904-4000.
Fi5E J’s: This catering service and gourmet food truck in Mount Pocono serves steak bowls, pulled pork sandwiches, Caribbean chicken pasta and other delights at private functions and locations including the Pocono Raceway. You fan find Fi5E J’s on Instagram here. Mount Pocono serving PA to NYC; (570) 982-9550.
Ribs and other meat and sides at The Taste Smokers
The Taste Smokers: Pit Master Quartez Moore brings his Chicago-style barbecue to Bethlehem. Between competitions and pop-ups, The Taste Smokers offer catering to all sorts of private events, like family reunions, weddings, tailgates, birthday parties and more. No address listed, Bethlehem; (484) 484-4704.
Restaurants & Bars
The Bayou Southern Kitchen & Bar: Part of The Bayou Boys Hospitality Group, this New Orleans-inspired restaurant is helmed young restaurateurs Cristian Duarte, Jeremy Straub and Mo Taylor. High-quality food, great craft beer and attentive service are the cornerstones of the Bayou. 702 Hawthorne Rd., Bethlehem; (610) 419-6669; 64 Centre Square, Easton; (610) 829-1700.
Caribbean Paradise: This casual takeout-only eatery, situated in downtown Wilkes-Barre, serves Jamaican comfort food such as oxtail, curry goat and jerk chicken. In addition to its limited daily menu of prepared dishes, Caribbean Paradise has groceries and sundry Caribbean goods. 144 S Pennsylvania Ave, Wilkes-Barre; (570) 822-6000.
Peanut butter bacon cheeseburger at Chef Von & Mom
Chef Von & Mom: Award winning Chef Ryan Von Smith’s eatery boasts crazy delicious comfort food like peanut butter bacon cheeseburger with house candied bacon, cheesesteak egg rolls, pierogies and fully loaded fries. 501 Linden St., Scranton; (570) 955-0368.
Cherry’s Caribbean Palace: Jamaican and soul food is the focus of this takeout spot in the Lehigh Valley. Menu specials are shared on Cherry’s social media, with the option to dine in-person, pick up or order through UberEats for delivery! 415 Main St., Freemansburg; (610) 419-4456.
Jamaican curried goat, jerk chicken and fried dumpling.
D & S Caribbean Kitchen: Head to downtown Bethlehem for authentic Jamaican dishes like oxtail topped with plantain and cabbage and served with rice and peas, saucy curry goat and sweet potato and bread puddings. 31 W. Union Blvd., Bethlehem; (610) 419-3435.
Family Chicken & Waffles Catering: Don’t let the name fool you! Yes, there are chicken and waffles at this Lehigh Valley restaurant and catering company, but seafood is its true strength. Platters and pots of lobster, king crab, shrimp and more are offered each day for takeout — these often sell out, so don’t wait to call in your order! 1800 Sullivan Trail Suite 360, Easton; (610) 438-1882.
Happy Sandwich Caribbean Cuisine: Great Caribbean cuisine and a relaxed ambiance are what this spot is known for! Roti, curry goat, oxtail, shark, stew turkey, stew chicken, jerk chicken and curry chicken are just some of the dishes on offer. Call in your order for curbside pick-up; hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., or order delivery through DoorDash. 123 S. 7th St., Allentown; (610) 432-1325.
The Mansion at Noble Lane: Part of the Akwaaba Inn group, the Mansion at Noble Lane is a luxurious Pocono B&B complete with spa and restaurant. As part of your stay, enjoy complimentary breakfast and opt in for artisanal light fare in the afternoon, tea and tour events or drinks at the fully stocked bar. There are also ample catering options for onsite events. 37 Noble Ln., Bethany; (866) 466-3855.
Princess Authentic Jamaican Food: A tight menu of Jamaican fare, from pastries and patties to soups and entrees, is offered daily. Lunch specials for students are just $5, and local delivery is free on orders over $10. 2300 Butler St., Easton; (610) 438-4154.
Rosa’s Southern BBQ Grill: This BBQ spot pulls inspirations from Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana and the Carolinas, with saucy, tasty platters of brisket, jerk chicken, pulled pork and ribs, plus classic fixings like corn on the cob, mac-and-cheese, collards with bacon, coleslaw and yellow rice. 300 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton; (570) 472-7064.
Staggers Southern Cuisine: Find Southern and Soul food staples and warm hospitality at this casual Wilkes-Barre eatery. Guests enjoy shrimp and grits, fried chicken, Hennessy BBQ wings and smothered pork chops and baked apples for dine in or takeout. 78 S Main St., Wilkes-Barre; (570) 793-2088.
Taste of Soul: This family-friendly soul food restaurant in Allentown’s Hamilton District donates all of its proceeds to support The Caring Place Youth Development Center. Breakfast dishes, Southern-style daily specials, and burgers and sandwiches mean you’re in for a great meal any time of day. Order online for delivery through UberEats, DoorDash or GrubHub. 931 Hamilton St., Allentown; (610) 433-8937.
Westside Flava’s: This casual spot in West Scranton specializes in Southern-style cuisine, with roots stretching from South Carolina to New Jersey. Signature dishes include the Soul Roll, country fried chicken sandwich, and banana pudding. 1316 Luzerne St., Scranton; (570) 507-9142.
Wingz and a Prayer: True to its name, this Pocono Summit retaurant offers up wings of all kinds, including classic chicken wings, boneless wings, turkey wings and vegetarian options plus sides like collards and onion rings, desserts and other goodies. With over 50 sauces to choose from, you’re sure to find wings that hit the spot. 109 Plaza Dr., Pocono Summit; (570) 216-3700.
Winston’s Jamaican Restaurant: This counter-serve spot specializes in traditional Jamaican specialties. The platters, like oxtails and curry chicken are amazing deals, and the sweets and desserts, like cocoa bread, bulla cake and carrot cake, are not to be missed. Call in for pick-up or order online for DoorDash and Uber Eats for local delivery. 619 N. 7th St., Allentown; (855) 205-3463.
Wiz Kidz: This 1980’s-inspired restaurant from The Bayou Boys dishes up killer Philly cheesesteaks, bowls, salads, sides (like buffalo pierogi!), milkshakes and smoothies. Order online for pick-up or local delivery and explore the catering menu. 65 E. Elizabeth Ave., Bethlehem; (610) 419-2566.
A Wrap’d Tight wrap sandwich
Wrap’d Tight & Wrap’d Tight Fully Loaded 2.0: Owner Heather Griffith-Thomas has expanded her venture from its original Bethlehem location to include a new spot in Easton, both serving up fresh, natural and scratch made wraps and sandwiches and other items for takeout. Popular items include baked potatoes delightfully over stuffed with meat, cheese and veggies and specialty wraps and quesadillas like the Monster Meat Griller. 2027 Willow Park Rd., C3 rear, Bethlehem and 123 Palmer Park Rd., Easton; (484) 403-9092.
We’d love to keep this list as current as possible, and welcome hearing of more Black-owned food businesses that we missed or that just opened in the northeastern parts of PA. Please let us know and we’ll add them to this list right away! You can leave comments here or on the PA Eats Facebook and Instagram pages!
- Feature photo: The Taste Smokers
- Cappucino and Jamaican dish photos: Bigstock
- All other photos: Courtesy of the respective businesses
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