Food.Fun.Stuff: Black History Month Spotlight- Levi’s Port Cafe (DC)

[ 0 ] February 24, 2010 | Johnna

As Black History Month comes to an end, we spent some time reflecting on the various historic Black owned restaurants in the District. Sure everyone knows the staples, Ben’s Chili Bowl and Ooh’s and Aah’s of U street but we wanted to showcase a restaurant that is somewhat of an unsung hero. Just on the other side of town is one of the best comfort food havens of the city. Levi’s Port Cafe, neighbor to the Navy Yard, is a small soul food restaurant owned and operated by the sister and brother team, Johnny Kersey and Marie Chavis. Soul food is a staple in our hometown of Harlem and we are constantly searching for places in the District with similar fare.

Glad we stumbled on this Southeast gem which is located @ the end of 8th Street Southeast’s bustling restaurant district. Low key, family-oriented business that makes you feel like you’re @ a family members house instead of a restaurant. Baked chicken, Fried Fish and some cheesy, guilty mac ‘n cheese make the trek across town well worth it. Sweet potato pie, banana pudding and sweet tea round out the comfort food experience. Having a childhood that was split between New York and North Carolina, we are biased on BBQ. North Carolina has the best. There. We said it. Obviously, we stumbled in the right place because Levi’s has a rack of menu items featuring NC BBQ.

Though Levi’s does not have as many years in the District as some of its counterparts (*It opened in 2004), it is making history with it’s signature taste. Really, where else can you get a good North Carolina BBQ sandwich in the District?? Seems like we’ll be making a lot more trips to Barracks Row…

The Where:
Levi’s Port Cafe
1102 8th Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 547-6500

Picture source

Category: Food.Fun.Stuff., Washington D.C.

About the Author (Author Profile)

Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.