Black-Owned Businesses to support now and later Explore some of Miami’s Black-owned small buisnesses, each providing a unique experience to its many customers BY CAMILA AITKEN AND DANIELA CALDERON, STAFF WRITERS
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OCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES and the fear of testing positive for Covid-19 has placed a major halt on small businesses’ ability to stay open. With many businesses at risk of permanent closure, it is imperative to support those struggling in the community. Small businesses are what give a city their personality and for some people, they are necessary in their day-to-day lives.
More importantly though, Blackowned businesses and brands need support now more than ever. In recent months, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has highlighted the serious racial wealth gap within the United States and supporting small Black-owned establishments strengthens local economies and is a small step forward in closing the gap. In choosing to spend money at smaller
mom-and-pop type Black-owned shops, people are not only strengthening their local economy, but supporting Black communities. Businesses like the World Famous House of Mac, which has locations in Overtown and North Miami Beach, Tree Hugger Soaps located in Hialeah and Chef Brian’s Comfort Kitchen which is located at Sunset Place in South Miami are all unique in their own way and truly worth visiting.
Courtesey of World Famous House of Mac
World Famous House of Mac Mac and cheese, chicken wings, pizza and burgers — dishes that make America’s mouth water. The name “World Famous” is not an understatement for Derrick Turton’s restaurant. Covered by media companies such as Forbes and Fox Business and invited onto ABC and the Rachel Ray show it is no wonder that this mac and cheese is world famous. With their business hours varying from 12 p.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12 p.m.-2 a.m. on the weekends except for Sundays, it is the perfect place to go for late night snacks. They are located in Wynwood at 2055 NW 2nd Ave and North Miami Beach on 13521 Biscayne Blvd. Prior to be becoming a chef Turton, also known as “Chef Teach,” attended culinary school in Miami but felt that the food and restuarant industry was not for him. So instead he began managing some big names in the music industry. He began working for people like Pitbull, A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, Young Joc and Bun B. Turton recalls cooking in the studio during his downtime as a way to calm
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down, even though he did not actually enjoy working in a restuarant. Then his client and close friend, Bun B, spoke up and pushed Turton to finally pursue his passion and talent. By 2014 Turton had opened his first business in Miami, a food truck called World Famous House of Mac. Despite the name, World Famous House of Mac serves more than just mac and cheese. The menu includes sandwiches, burgers, chicken and waffles, pizza and desserts. “Their food is always consistent and delicious! It is definitely my go-to place,” customer Alex Reyes said. Dishes like the Lobster Mac and Cheese, a lobster tops a five cheese mac and cheese and baked in the oven until it comes out a golden brown, for $29 or the Jerk Mac and Cheese, five cheese mac and cheese is topped with jerk chicken, jerk Alfredo sauce and bread crumbs for a spicy and filling dish, for $14 is what sets Turtons diner apart from a run of the mill Kraft Mac and Cheese box. If customers are in the mood for something
else, the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffles for $19 is a crowd favorite, as the dish is served with both caramel drizzle and maple syrup for a sweet and salty experience. Vegans can also enjoy a meal here. Aisha’s Vegan Mac and Cheese for $18 is made entirely with vegan cheeses and topped with panko bread crumbs. With any entree order customers have the option of picking lemon garlic broccoli, french fries or sweet potato tots. Turton has also created custom drinks for patrons to try, like the Wild Berry Lemondae, Homemade Fruit Punch and Flop a combination of sweet tea and lemonade. To finish a meal pick from the array of desserts, like the lemon cake or New York Cheesecake, both for $6. In the midst of the pandemic, they are open for carry out and delivery through both GrubHub and UberEats only and require a mask to be able to enter their locations. With 4.5 stars on yelp and hundreds of reviews, it is evident that not only their food is fantastic but their customer service as well.