Soul Of America Blog features special topics such as Black Hollywood, Black Museums, Black Innkeepers, Black Spas, Family Travel, Sports Travel, and Traveling. It also covers Transportation topics such as High-Speed Rail, Regional Rail, Rapid Transit in North America, modern airplanes, and other modes.

Alfreda’s Cafeteria

Alfreda's Soul Food

Alfreda’s Soul Food in Houston

Alfreda’s Cafeteria

DESCRIPTION: Cafe
CUISINE: Soul Food
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
PRICING: $
ATTIRE: casual
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Sun-Thu 7a-8p, Sat-Sun 7a-10p
ADDRESS: 5101 Almeda Road, Houston, TX
PARKING: on premises and street
PHONE: 713-528-0020
WEBSITE: https://alfredassoulfood.com/

Alfreda’s Soul Food Review

Once owned by the Green Family, who started it in 1964, it’s now owned by the Williams Family. The menu includes Oxtails, Smothered Pork Chops, Candied Yams, Fried Catfish, Creole Gumbo, Chitterlings, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato Pie, and Peach Cobbler. Fans agree, the oxtails, mashed potatoes with gravy and candied yams are favorites. The tender oxtail meat falls off the bone. The hand-made mashed potatoes are thick, moist, and welcome to every palate. The delicious candied yams are sweet and extremely soft. As for the rest of the menu, you be the judge. One challenge for the establishment is setting up clean tables before each customer. The staff does, however, quickly respond when asked. On busy days, Alfreda may run out of several menu items. That’s to be expected at many family-run businesses.

Houston, TX 77004


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The Jazz Room

Jazz Room

The Jazz Room

The Jazz Room

DESCRIPTION: Cafe
CUISINE: American
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
ATTIRE: business casual
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: no
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Wed 11a-11p, Thu-Fri 11a-1a, Sat 11a-4-a, Sun 11a-12a
ADDRESS: 5267 Third Street, San Francisco, CA
RAPID TRANSIT: Muni Metro Third St & Williams Avenue Station
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 415-822-5719
WEBSITE: none

The Jazz Room Review

Despite the non-chalant exterior, this wine bar in the reinvigorating Third Street corridor is much appreciated for its airy indoor space and service. Its a nice wine bar to meet afterwork for happy hour. So don’t be surprised to find the groups of friends pouring champaign. It fills the hole left when Savannah Jazz left Mission District for San Mateo.

San Francisco, CA 94124

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Black Bark BBQ

Black Bark BBQ

Black Bark BBQ

Black Bark BBQ

DESCRIPTION: Cafe
CUISINE: Barbecue
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
ATTIRE: casual
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Daily 11:30a—10p
ADDRESS: 1325 Fillmore Street, San Francisco
RAPID TRANSIT: none
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 415-848-9055
WEBSITE: http://www.blackbarkbbq.com

Black Bark BBQ Review

Its nice to see a quality barbecue restaurant in the Fillmore District again, even nicer that its established by the same owners of 1300 Fillmore restaurant across the street. Their experience creating an interesting sense of place shows from the simple, but stylish exterior to the last bark log for the oven. The service was cheerful and excellent We all found the beef brisket and barbecue brisket to be fall-off-the-bone tender and the tasty sauce that come is regular, hot and fire engine hot. The baked beans were superb. And now the bad news. Meat portions were small. Lets hope management is listening.

San Francisco, CA 94115

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Espetus Churasscuria

Espetus Churrascaria

Espetus Churrascaria

Espetus Churasscuria

DESCRIPTION: Restaurant
CUISINE: Brazilian
PRICING: $$$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
ATTIRE: casual
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: yes
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 11:30a-2:30p, Sat-Sun Noon-3p; Mon-Thu-5p-10p, Fri-sat 5p-11p, Sun 3p-9p
ADDRESS: 1686 Market Street, San Francisco
RAPID TRANSIT: Muni Metro Van Ness Station and Muni Streetcar Market-Gough stop
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 415-552-8792
WEBSITE: http://www.espetus.com

Espetus Churasscuria Review

The Market Street atmosphere is like a hip TV show and the service is even better. Its important that you sample the fine buffet salad selections before the Churasscuria meats come wave after wave. This is one place you want to skip a meal before arriving. The variety of filet mignon, tri-tip steak, lamb, chicken and other means is so tantalizing you’ll want an extra compartment is your stomach. The wine list meets high standards as well.

San Francisco, CA 94102

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Radio Africa Kitchen

Radio Africa Kitchen

Radio Africa Kitchen

Radio Africa Kitchen

DESCRIPTION: Restaurant
CUISINE: International
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
ATTIRE: casual
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri Noon-8p
ADDRESS: 4800 Third Street, San Francisco
RAPID TRANSIT: Muni Metro Third/Oakdale/Palau Station
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 415-826-9660
WEBSITE: http://www.radioafricakitchen.com

Radio Africa Kitchen Review

The aroma hits you jest before entering the door at this cheerful dining establishment populated with plants all around. The owner-chef Eskender Aseged insists on serving seasonal, local, and mostly organic ingredients in every dish. He sometimes gathers ingredients from the community garden that he helped launch in Bayview District. Appetizers & salads include Mushroom Crostini, Beluga Lentil Samosa, Black Lentil & Red Cabbage Salad to get you started. You’ll become a faithful customer by sampling the inventive menu, which includes Seared Ahi Tuna with Choumoula, Saffron Prawns with Bird Eye Chili Harissa and so much more. You eyes will say, “You had me at Hello.”

San Francisco, CA 94124

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Island Fresh


Island Fresh

Island Fresh on Pico Blvd

Island Fresh

DESCRIPTION: Cafe
CUISINE: Caribbean
PRICING: $$
ATTIRE: casual
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 11a-9p, Sun Noon-7p
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
ADDRESS: 5101 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
PARKING: on street
RAPID TRANSIT: none
PHONE: 323-965-5000
WEBSITE: http://islandcrossover.webs.com

Island Fresh Review
A small cafe, with more seating outside than inside. The decor has character reflecting Caribbean heritage of the chef-owner. The seafood menu includes red snapper, catfish, whiting, perch and trout with side orders of potato salad and fries, among others. Shrimp packs are popular on their menu as well. If you are in a hurry, try a jerk beef, turkey or veggie burger coupled with one of their healthy smoothies — a fantastic tasty combo on hot days.

Los Angeles, CA 90019

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Frederick’s Wine & Dine

Fredericks entertainment

Jazz group performing at Frederick’s

Frederick’s Wine & Dine

DESCRIPTION: Lounge & Restaurant
CUISINE: Soul Fusion
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no, except during special events
PRICING: $$
ATTIRE: casual
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: yes
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Sun Noon-10p, Mon-Thu 11a-11p, Fri-Sat 11a-1a
ADDRESS: 22005 Emery Road, Warrensville, OH
PHONE: 216-581-5299
WEBSITE: http://www.fredericksdine.com

Frederick’s Wine & Dine Review

Entertainment is the main reason to visit Frederick’s. It features live Jazz by regional groups in the evenings. In terms of cuisine, its okay restaurant compared to others in Cleveland. Check ahead on the website calendar for special events.

Warrensville Heights, OH 44128

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Swerve Grille

Swerve Grille

Swerve Grille

Swerve Grille

DESCRIPTION: Restaurant
CUISINE: Soul Fusion
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
PRICING: $$
ATTIRE: casual
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Sun-Sat 4p-2a; Happy Hours Mon-Fri 5p-8p
ADDRESS: 20126 Chagrin Blvd, Shaker Heights, OH
PHONE: 216-991-6787
WEBSITE: http://www.swervegrille.com

Swerve Grille Review

This upscale grill with a casual vibe features gourmet Soul Fusion. Their specialties range from chicken rolls, jumbo shrimp, pizza stuffed mushrooms to ribeye steak. Yum Yum.

Cleveland, OH 44120

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Take 5 Rhythm & Jazz

Take 5 Rhythm & Jazz

Take 5 Rhythm & Jazz

Take 5 Rhythm & Jazz

DESCRIPTION: Restaurant & Lounge
CUISINE: Tapas & more
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: yes
PRICING: $$
ATTIRE: casual
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: no
DAYS & HOURS: Thu-Sun 5p-2:30a
ADDRESS: 740 West Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH
PHONE: 216-861-5299
WEBSITE: http://www.take5live.com

Take 5 Rhythm & Jazz Review

This tapas lounge with live bands playing Cool Jazz in the Warehouse District is popular with tourists. If you’ve been walking around Tower City or the North Coast, give your feet a break at Happy Hour on Thursday and Friday 5p-7p. The tapas aren’t bad either.

Cleveland, OH 44113

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Jezebel’s Bayou

Jezebel's Bayou

Jezebel’s Bayou

Jezebel’s Bayou

DESCRIPTION: Restaurant
CUISINE: Creole Soul
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
PRICING: $$
ATTIRE: casual
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Thu 5p-11p, Fri 5p-1a, Sat 2p-1a, Sun 11a-9p
ADDRESS: 12718 Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland, OH
PHONE: 216-721-3877
WEBSITE: http://jezebelsbayou.com

Jezebel’s Bayou Review

You’ll love visiting this upscale restaurant on a street lined with art galleries and antique shops. Aside from the attractive interior, sample the Lobster Mac & Cheese and much more on the inventive menu.

Cleveland, OH 44120

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