LEXINGTON, Ky. — In Lexington, Monday marked the beginning of Black Restaurant Week in the city. It’s part of the SoulFeast, a 10-day celebration of Black culinary culture.

What You Need To Know

  • Black Restaurant Week is happening June 19-25 

  • 14 restaurants are offering $10 meals to get a taste of their menu 

  • The Salad Bar, a newcomer to the restaurant scene, is moving into its own brick-and-mortar location soon

  • Their salad is available at Wing Kyng while transitioning to the new space

Maya McCutchen and Taji Wadkins are preparing to open a new location for their restaurant, The Salad Bar.

“This location really offers us versatility, flexibility and personality and a little bit of privacy too,” McCuthchen said.

The couple opened it in 2020, as they themselves were trying to live a healthier lifestyle. Currently, their salads can be purchased at Greyline Station where the business has been located.

Soon, however, it will be its very own brick-and-mortar restaurant.

“It (Greyline) was a good opportunity to network with people that we would not normally be bumping shoulders with,” McCutchen said.

This week, it’s one of 14 restaurants taking part in Lexington Black Restaurant Week, part of the SoulFeast celebration.

"We're offering our SoulFeast Watermelon Heaven salad at Wing Kyng which is located at Greyline Station. They've got Eazy's World which is wet, lemon peper wings that's their 10 dollar dish. It pairs well with our salad," McCutchen said.

McCutchen, a born and raised Lexingtonian, says the goal of Black Restaurant Week is to introduce Kentuckians to a style of cooking they might not normally eat.

“In Kentucky, we’ve got tobacco, we’ve got horse racing, and one of the main things that we have is culinary genius and so to be able to showcase that with local produce through Black Soil,” McCutchen said.

After closing their event space during COVID, Wadkins says this business secured their future and their children’s.

“It’s a really good feeling to see they’re holding it accountable. They know what’s going on. They’re not just sitting up here with us, they’re really paying attention and grasping it. We’re sure at least one of them is going to be a little chef,” Wadkins said.

They’re inspiring a new generation to make and eat healthy and delicious food.

During Black Restaurant Week, 14 restaurants will have special $10 meals available for restaurant-goers.

The Salad Bar is offering its Watermelon Heaven salad. During the transition, The Salad Bar salads can be purchased at Wing Kyng at Greyline Station.

These 14 restaurants are taking part in Black Restaurant Week:

  • The Salad Bar
  • Wing Kyng
  • Moody Mike’s
  • The Social Vegan
  • Soul to Go
  • Creaux
  • Genesis Coffee House & Eatery
  • Tossin Tha Sauce Wings
  • Mimi’s Southern Style Cooking
  • Josanne’s Homestyle Kitchen
  • Jack’s Sandbar & Grill
  • Thea’s Bass and Biddy Kitchen
  • Creole Cafe
  • Blue Skillet

Correction: In a previous version of this story, Taji Wadkins name was misspelled "Watkins." The error has been corrected. (June 20, 2023)

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