Celebrate Chicago Black Restaurant Week with beignet waffles, ‘Lobster Louie’ and more

Chicago Black Restaurant Week kicked off its eighth year Sunday.

Thirty Black-owned businesses will offer specials in the city and suburbs for a total of two weeks until Feb. 26.

Founder Lauran Smith created the event to honor Carter G. Woodson, the historian who launched the precursor to Black History Month in 1926.

Prominent participants this year include Frontier, Luella’s Southern Kitchen and Bronzeville Winery, one of the Tribune’s 25 best new restaurants.

[ The 25 Best New Restaurants in Chicago ]

Notable newcomers 1308 Chicago in the Salt District, Haute Brats in Englewood and CheSa’s Bistro & Bar in Avondale are also making their debut.

Chef, owner and namesake Chesaree Rollins opened her Creole- and Cajun-inspired gluten-free restaurant in October.

Rollins was diagnosed with celiac disease eight years ago. As a result of the gluten intolerance, she launched a gluten-free brand. Her first food truck hit the road in 2015, with a second following in 2018. That same year, she hosted an extended pop-up in Ukrainian Village.

The Chicago Black Restaurant Week specials at CheSa’s feature a three-course prix fixe dinner ($59.23) and five weekend brunch dishes ($25.23).

At brunch, choose among fried chicken and beignet waffles, short ribs and grits, a bone-in pork chop with cheddar biscuits, a catfish skillet with eggs, and jumbo crab cake balls.

At dinner, four appetizer choices include a Lobster Louie-style salad (traditionally made with crab) and a garlic alligator dip; three main course options offer more lobster in an étouffée, or mushrooms on a truffle risotto; plus three dessert possibilities, with a banana pudding soufflé or CheSa’s chocolate mousse.

Follow Chicago Black Restaurant Week on Instagram at @chiblackrestaurantweek for more details on specials as they’re released.

Chicago Black Restaurant Week, chiblackrestaurantweek.com

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar, 3235 W. Addison St., 773-754-8523, chesasbistro.com

lchu@chicagotribune.com

Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here.