Black-owned Restaurants

There is always an exciting new trend in the Downtown Lawrence restaurant scene, and this year two new establishments mark a rise in Black-owned eateries

STORY BY DEBARRE JOHNSON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARTER GASKINS

Everyone loves good food, and a restaurant that pairs good food with good vibes is sure to become your favorite. But what do you get when you have a restaurant with good food, good vibes AND is Black-owned? You get a restaurant that is next level! Two new Blackowned restaurants in Downtown Lawrence, Krustaceans Seafood and Gold Medal BBQ, provide the chance to support Black restaurateurs, enjoy mouth-watering meals, and be served by an awesome staff.

Krustaceans co-owners Douglas Williams Jr. and Samuel Carol brought their take on the seafood craze to our doorstep in 2021, and how thankful we are! From a Cajun-style seafood platter with crab legs, shrimp, lobster, and corn on the cob, to the redvelvet waffles with fried fish, you cannot go wrong with anything from the menu. Big portions, big flavor, and colorful, fruity frozen daiquiris with or without alcohol. The only thing missing at Krustaceans is your appetite! Speaking of appetite, has anyone seen my bib?!

Gold Medal BBQ is grade-A, finger-lickin’, lip-smackin’ BBQ. Owned by Olympic gold medalist Kyle Clemons and his wife, Christina, who competed in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Gold Medal BBQ draws on an Olympic mentality to create top-tier dishes, and they are still winning. Their dishes bring all of your favorite BBQ staples like pulled pork, brisket, smoked sausage & baked beans, but with the down-home flavor passed down from generation to generation. The sweet potato casserole can only be described as soooooooooo good (yes, the extra o’s are necessary!), and just when you think they’ve outdone themselves, you get the dirty fries & smokehouse beignet! A deep-fried beignet?! Yes, with your choice of pork or beef & cheddar… *mind blown* Only an Olympic mind could come up with something so divine!

Krustaceans Seafood & Gold Medal BBQ are more than good food and good vibes. These two restaurants are part of a change that is much deeper than the beautiful variety of food they offer. Good food, good vibes, and Black owned. Truly next level.

ABOUT THE WRITER

DeBarre with a capital B. Good Eats + Good Drinks = Happiness. LFK Representer. Jackie of all trades.