0522HarfordSpring22 - Flipbook - Page 18
GOOD E AT S
BY MICHA GREEN Harford Magazine
Robert and Shalema Brooks opened their Edgewood restaurant, Dakari’s Soul Food, nearly three years ago. PHOTOS BY ULYSSES MUÑOZ
Food for the soul
Family-owned eatery dishes out Southern and Caribbean-style food, while keeping son’s memory alive
After almost three years in business, Dakari’s Soul
Food has made a name for itself as a go-to restaurant
for delicious Southern and Caribbean-inspired cuisine in Harford County. However, the family-owned
restaurant’s success lies not only in happy customers, but in continuing a legacy.
“Dakari forever,” said Kyrin Cox, the restaurant
owners’ son, who is also a chef there.
Cox wasn’t solely referring to the restaurant, but
also his brother, Dakari Milton Moses Brooks, who
died in September 2019, just a month before the
restaurant opened its doors.
Owners Shalema and Robert Brooks worked on
opening a restaurant for years before the death of
their son.
“My husband and I were planning to open a restaurant over five years before we officially opened.
We saved every extra penny. The week before our
18 | SPRING 2022 | harfordmagazine.com
Customer favorites include Momma’s Jazzy Wings, above, stuffed salmon,
macaroni and cheese and lump crab cake.