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Disclaimer: Keyshawn Davis is a former employee of Fixins Soul Kitchen.
June 19, known as Juneteenth, is a significant day in American history. It marks the end of slavery in the United States, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
According to the National Archives, the holiday, which was known as “Emancipation Day” or “Freedom Day,” is the oldest known celebration marking the end of slavery in the U.S.
In 2021, Congress and Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making it a federal holiday.
Like many holidays, food is essential to recognizing and celebrating Juneteenth.
To celebrate the holiday, I have compiled a short list of some of my favorite Black-owned and soul food restaurants and some honorable mentions in Sacramento for people to visit.
Although this list is for this particular day, there’s no reason you shouldn’t enjoy these restaurants throughout the whole year!
Creole Soul is a soul food restaurant located on 20th and Broadway that has a rotating menu.(Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio)Creole Soul Restaurant and Bar
Creole Soul, a unique dining establishment, has been open for a little over a year and is located on the corner of Broadway and 20th in Sacramento. According to its website, the restaurant is inspired by Cajun cuisine, which blends French and Southern-style cooking.
A remarkable feature that I love about this restaurant is its rotating menu, which changes daily and offers different items.
Creole Soul offers a diverse menu that includes lamb chops, peach cobbler chicken and waffles, red snapper, shrimp and garlic noodles, a whole crab, and mac and cheese, collard greens, Cajun red beans and rice, and plenty more.
James Baker, the restaurant's owner and head chef, said he initially planned to open two food trucks but was convinced to open a brick-and-mortar instead. When Creole Soul opened, it took off with little to no social media content, he said.
“I just wanted people to come in, enjoy the food, and I wanted everything to be word of mouth,” Baker said.
Baker said the rotating menu idea came from his grandmother.
“When you open the restaurant, you don't want to see the same stuff all the time,” he said. “Nobody wants to eat wings, so I just do what I want. It’s cool to be different. That's how I am.”
Baker said he will have a special menu for Juneteenth, so check out Creole Soul’s Instagram page for it. He said people should come to the restaurant because of the environment.=
“We've created an atmosphere for everybody just to enjoy themselves,” he said. “Bottom line, when you walk in here, you'll see all the different races. I just created somewhere you can be comfortable hanging out, with good music and food.”
Food runner Sefani Cortes with two appetizer plates of deep-fried deviled eggs and fish nuggets.(Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio)Fixins Soul Kitchen
Fixins Soul Kitchen, located at 3428 3rd Avenue in Sacramento, has served soul food in Oak Park since 2019.
According to its website, Fixins is a full-service restaurant that celebrates the history and traditions of African American culture. The restaurant is owned by former NBA all-star and Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson.
Stepping into Fixins is like stepping into your grandmother's kitchen. The aroma of fried chicken, oxtails, fried fish, chicken sandwiches, gumbo, shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and more instantly transports me back to the meals prepared for the whole family.
Their sides, or fixins, include mac and cheese, charred okra, candied yams, collard greens with turkey necks, grits, red beans and rice, potato salad, coleslaw, and black-eyed peas.
Manager Christopher Johnson said Fixins is celebrating Juneteenth with items on the menu that will be available for $6.19, which is the holiday date.
“We will have some specials — wings and a waffle. We'll have some drink specials also. It's a great atmosphere,” he said. “It's great food, service, and a fun environment overall. So if you’re looking for some action, come on down.”
My favorite items to get from Fixins are the oxtail with candied yams and mac and cheese, served with cornbread on the side and maple cayenne butter.
Also, if you find yourself at Fixins, try the deep-fried deviled eggs with bacon.
Fixins Soul Kitchen's Oxtail plate with a side of candied yams and cornbread and maple cayenne butter.(Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio)Jim Denny’s
According to its website, Jim Denny’s, located at 816 12th Street, has been a staple in downtown Sacramento since 1934. It’s a small and humble establishment with indoor and outdoor seating.
The restaurant closed in 2020 but was revived in 2023 by owner N'Guina Guyton, a former co-owner of the soul food restaurant South, and the LA Times recently named it one of the 101 best restaurants to visit in California.
Jim Denny’s menu includes breakfast items, sandwiches, burgers, salads, pasta, and hot dogs. Unique items include fried cauliflower, roasted brussels sprouts, and mac fries.
One Yelp commenter who visited the restaurant said Jim Denny's is an underrated spot. “It has a cute vibe, and the staff is friendly and attentive,” Tiffany wrote. I agree because I recently visited the restaurant and had the same experience.
When I visited, I ordered the Moons Over My Pastrami sandwich, which was really tasty. The restaurant was busy, but the service was top-notch. I definitely recommend that sandwich, but make sure to order it with either a side of fries or onion rings.
Honorable mentions
Queen of Sheba is an East African restaurant located on 1704 Broadway in Sacramento. According to its website, the restaurant provides authentic Ethiopian cuisine and offers a wide array of vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and meat-loving dishes.
“Friendly service and delicious food! We just asked the server what her favorites were, she recommended the spicy combo platter, which had lentils, beeg, chicken corn, greens, sweet potatoes salad,” Christina wrote on Facebook.” It was so much food we couldn’t finish.”
Q1227 is a Black-owned fine-dining restaurant located in the Galleria Mall in Roseville. According to its website, the restaurant's menu combines modern comfort cuisine with the freshest farm-to-fork ingredients.
The restaurant was named after the combination of the owner's name, Chef Q, and his birthday, which is December 27. Items on the menu include steak, seafood, burgers, beef wellington, soup and salad, family meals and more.
I haven’t been to this restaurant before, but it’s definitely on my list of places to try. The one dish I’m looking forward to trying is their Beef Wellington. I also enjoy a good burger, and according to one commenter on Yelp, Q1227 served up one of the best burgers they’ve ever had.
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