Black-Owned Businesses Near Campus You Need to Check Out

While it is Black History Month, it is important to remember that support and celebration for diversity should last 365 days a year. With that being said, here are some amazing Black-owned businesses near campus you should pay a visit to this February.

Afro Joe’s Coffee & Tea

Any chance to talk about Afro Joe’s is a chance I will gladly take. I last visited in the fall and ordered a Pumpkin Pie Latte and a Butter Pecan Cheesecake jar, as pictured above. 

Some of their other notable latte flavors include the Tiramisu Latte, Cinnabon White Chocolate Mocha Latte, Hot Chocolate Nutcracker Latte, along with many holiday favorites and classics. 

They also offer many beverage choices for people who do not like coffee. Among the inclusive secondary menu is the Arnold Palmer (half tea and half lemonade) and the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, which is caramel apple cider with seltzer. 

Other cheesecake flavors include but are not limited to Strawberry Lemonade, Banana Pudding, and Oreo. There are additional food options such as a variety of chips, sides, Afro Puffs, Afro Pics, Afro Bowls, and the specials such as sandwiches. 

For the whole menu, you can visit Afro Joe’s website. Afro Joe’s is located at 1818 W 99th Street in Chicago. They are open from 7 am to 3 pm Tuesdays through Fridays, 8 am to 3 pm on Saturdays, and 9 am to 1 pm on Sundays. 

Munchiez

The Munchiez business prides itself on being a candy store and cereal bar “where childhood lasts forever”. I ordered a Pop Lock & Drop It Shake, mainly vanilla flavored with Pop Rocks and Pop Tarts Toppings along with sprinkles and whipped cream.

Rest assured, the Toppings do not come looking as pictured; this was taken after the drive back from the store. It was a great experience, although each individual topping notably costs an additional dollar to add on. Shakes start anywhere from $6-$12, with a larger size available for a higher cost. 

Other shake flavors include Crunch Berry Bomb, Golden Graham Bedrock, Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, and more. Customers can also order cereal sundaes and cereal bowls. Some of their specialty bowls include Captain Crunchy Pebbles, Cinnamon Toast Krispies, etc. They offer more filling snacks ranging from Walking Tacos to Chicken & Waffles. 

For a full menu and description of their offerings, visit Munchiez’s website. Munchiez is located at 1803 W 95th Street in Chicago. They are open from noon to 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays as well as noon to 7 pm on Sundays. They are closed every other day.

Jerky Jerk

A Jamaican food business that has been featured on Food Network’s “Sandwich Kings”, Jerky Jerk serves to provide its customers with a fresh and authentic experience. We tried the Jerky Wrap with a side of candied yams.

The Jerky Wrap is made with grilled chicken, mayo, plantains, lettuce, onions, and tomatoes, all inside of a tomato wrap with a side of jerk sauce. The service was phenomenal with water brought out as the takeout was being made. The food was even better. 

Other offerings on the menu include dinner plates, Jerk Stir-Fry, Jerk Chicken Salad, Jerky Tacos, Jerky Alfredo Pasta, Jerky Nachos, and more. They even have a vegetarian menu with stir-fry, burritos, wraps, and more. 

To see their full menu and additional specials, visit Jerky Jerk’s website. Jerky Jerk is about half an hour from campus, located at 2253 W Taylor Street in Chicago. They are available everyday from 11 am to 8 pm, except for Sundays when they close at 6 pm. 

As always, if you have a city you would like covered next or any place recommendations, please email @lunsford.b01@mymail.sxu.edu.