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These Westchester eateries and events have stories to tell through their flavorful cuisines, and they plan to celebrate this Juneteenth with you.
Additional Reporting by El J Ayala
Juneteenth, short for “June Nineteenth,” is celebrated all across the country to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans. Now, 156 years later, there are countless ways to reflect on the past and celebrate freedom through music, dance, food, parades, and family time. A great way to learn more about the traditions surrounding Juneteenth is to spend the federal holiday visiting local, Black-owned restaurants where the food and atmosphere honor culture and soul.
Break Bread Not Hearts
914.268.8437
Cuisine: Stir fries, sides, and baked goods
Chef D’Amour Green has mastered the art of combining community and cultural values with delicious meals and baked goods. This environmentally ethical and socially conscious business attends local farmers’ markets, festivals, and private events to share signature stir-fry dishes, the “Bird Box” filled with chicken thighs, plus seasonal baked goods like brownies with blueberries, bananas, and basil.
Throughout the month, the business attends numerous Juneteenth celebrations. Catch the divine “Black Power Stir-Fry” at the African American Heritage Festival on Sunday, June 25 at the Kensico Dam from noon to 6 p.m. or at the Pelham Juneteenth on Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., during which time you can also pick up a “chocolate dank” or “ginger zing” along with the Rasta’d shrimp potato salad, which is sure to exceed expectations. As they say themselves, at Break Bread Not Hearts, love is always the main ingredient.
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Cravin Jamaican Cuisine
109 Main St, Ossining; 914.432.7776
74 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains; 914.358.5111
Cuisine: Jamaican
Monday Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (White Plains)
Monday Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Ossining)
Savor the authentic flavor of Jamaica any time of day with breakfast options like ackee and saltfish and succulent lunch and dinner choices including curry goat, oxtail, jerk chicken, and veggie stew. If you get lucky, you might even be able to try the rich and creamy Rasta pasta before it sells out. Cravin Jamaican Cuisine celebrates a wide variety of colorful, spicy, and fun foods that make for a perfect Juneteenth spread.
While in White Plains, attend the White Plains library MLK photos exhibit or the Juneteenth dance performance on Sunday, June 25 at 2 p.m.
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Flavas Kitchen & Catering
5 Gramatan Ave, Mount Vernon; 914.663.2100
Cuisine: Jamaican soul food
Monday Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you love a flavorful meal where you can choose from an abundance of sides that blend perfectly with the main protein, go to the always-crowded Flavas Kitchen. Ordering the oxtail stew is an easy and correct choice, and pairing it with a side of butter beans spiced to perfection along with a Carrot & Cream smoothie will make your taste buds rejoice (but you may be stationary for a few hours; we won’t judge).
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Read More: Black-Owned Restaurants in Westchester to Order From Right Now
Jolo’s Kitchen
49 Lawton St, New Rochelle; 914.355.4928
Cuisine: Vegan Caribbean Juice bar and café
Monday Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Chef Jolo moved to New York from Haiti with a dream to create a cheery and welcoming space to share his cuisine and his Rastafarian way of life. He emphasizes fresh produce and natural, plant-based ingredients when planning his ever-changing buffet. This Juneteenth, he has developed a special menu with fan favorites and mouthwatering spins on Haitian classics.
Head down to Jolo’s for colorful wellness juices and a hearty vegan meal. In addition to offering complimentary wheatgrass shots, his special this Juneteenth (Monday) is ginger “chicken” with two sides and a smoothie for $25.
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Smoke & Spice NY Grill
15 Anderson St, New Rochelle; 914.365.2417
Cuisine: Caribbean and Jamaican
Monday Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
This hidden gem is perfect for all Westchester carnivores with massive appetites. The menu is filled with smoked, jerked, and curried meats, and the renowned mac ‘n’ cheese will create a lifelong obsession. Portions are generous, and a little birdie told us the succulent oxtail and spiced jerk chicken are dishes not to skip.
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