0522HarfordSpring22 - Flipbook - Page 19
Robert Brooks,
co-owner
and executive
chef, drizzles
sauce on a
fresh plate of
cornbread.
Black-owned
and operated,
Dakari’s Soul
Food rooted
in the Black
diaspora.
Award-winning
beers, brewed to
be GLUTEN FREE
Small batch & seasonal offerings
HARD SELTZERS AND CIDERS
Open Daily
Following ALL CDC guidelines
TAPROOM • PATIOS • ONSITE FOOD • LIVE MUSIC
FAMILY AND DOG FRIENDLY
son passed, my husband came
across our first location,” said
Shalema. “On the day of our
son’s repast, we received word
we were approved for the building and changed the legal name
to Dakari’s Soul Food.”
“We feel like although our
son is gone, his legacy lives on,”
Shalema continued. “We were
able to grieve through building
something in honor of him.”
From the popping playlist
that transports patrons from
the establishment to a soulful
cookout, to the large helping of
food prepared by Cox and Jamaican-born Omar Vanriel, the
Caribbean specialist, Dakari’s
Soul Food has flourished from
an idea to a reliable restaurant
for delicious fare.
“I’m here to get some good
food. I’ve actually frequented
here twice before. I stumbled
upon it, and when I came in,
the staff was very welcoming.
It had a very good vibe and the
food was amazing,” said Army
Staff Sgt. Jovon Lewis.
“I had a cheesesteak the
first time, which was really, really good,” said Lewis, who was
returning for another taste of
the cheesesteak. “I did try some
of the soul food the second time
around and that was really
good, too. The cornbread was
amazing.”
Other customer favorites
include the stuffed salmon,
macaroni and cheese, oxtail,
Momma’s Jazzy Wings and the
lump crab cake, a dish that, according to Lewis, brought diners
all the way from New Jersey the
last time he visited.
Black-owned and operated,
Dakari’s Soul Food offers food
rooted in the Black diaspora in
a country that is still predominantly white.
“It’s good to see professional
people that look like you,” said
Lewis, who is Black.
However, Dakari’s diverse patrons show that the rich, soulful
food options are for everyone.
“It’s a great family atmosphere. It leaves you thinking
you just left your grandma’s
kitchen,” Brooks emphasized.
The Brookses are planning on
offering blue crabs this summer
and expanding the restaurant
to other states.
418 North Main Street • Bel Air, MD 21014
www.independentbrew.com
Find us on Facebook - Be sure to download our mobile friendly app
Dakari’s Soul Food
300 Edgewood Road, Edgewood, 410-702-9828, dakarisoulfood.com
harfordmagazine.com | SPRING 2022 | 19