Chicago Black Restaurant Week, which runs Feb. 9 to 23, brings attention to Black-owned restaurants in the city. Founded by Lauran Smith in 2015, CBRW is celebrating its 10th season and comes shortly after the more well-known Chicago Restaurant Week. For diners, CBRW offers more flexibility and various price points; for restaurateurs, it’s another opportunity to tell their story, to refine their customer bases and menus and to connect with other Black-owned businesses. The event is invigorating for newer restaurants such as D’s Roti & Trini Cuisine in Avalon Park. Owner-operators Dawn and Marvin Lewis are participating for the first time since they opened in 2023. “Black mom-and-pop shops in Chicago definitely need the mainstream exposure,” said Dawn Lewis. She compared being included in CBRW to being featured on Black TikTok, which has its own subculture where Black creators can gain exposure. “You have different subgroups. This allows us to use this subgroup to be showcased even more. Tap on our bio link to read more. —— Photo 1: Marvin and Dawn Lewis, shown Feb. 13, 2025, own D’s Roti & Trini Cuisine on East 79th Street in Chicago. The couple opened the restaurant in 2023. Photo 2: D’s Roti & Trini Cuisine serves the iconic Trinidadian street food of fried bread and curried fillings, called doubles. Photo 3: Chicago Black Restaurant Week founder Lauran Smith attends a Black Restaurant Week event on Feb. 9, 2024. ? Ahmed Ali Akbar / Chicago Tribune ? Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune

Chicago Black Restaurant Week, which runs Feb. 9 to 23, brings attention to Black-owned restaurants in the city. Founded by Lauran Smith in 2015, CBRW is celebrating its 10th season and comes shortly after the more well-known Chicago Restaurant Week. For diners, CBRW offers more flexibility and various price points; for restaurateurs, it’s another opportunity to tell their story, to refine their customer bases and menus and to connect with other Black-owned businesses.

The event is invigorating for newer restaurants such as D’s Roti & Trini Cuisine in Avalon Park. Owner-operators Dawn and Marvin Lewis are participating for the first time since they opened in 2023.

“Black mom-and-pop shops in Chicago definitely need the mainstream exposure,” said Dawn Lewis. She compared being included in CBRW to being featured on Black TikTok, which has its own subculture where Black creators can gain exposure. “You have different subgroups. This allows us to use this subgroup to be showcased even more.

Tap on our bio link to read more.

——

Photo 1: Marvin and Dawn Lewis, shown Feb. 13, 2025, own D’s Roti & Trini Cuisine on East 79th Street in Chicago. The couple opened the restaurant in 2023.

Photo 2: D’s Roti & Trini Cuisine serves the iconic Trinidadian street food of fried bread and curried fillings, called doubles.

Photo 3: Chicago Black Restaurant Week founder Lauran Smith attends a Black Restaurant Week event on Feb. 9, 2024.

? Ahmed Ali Akbar / Chicago Tribune
? Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune