A TASTE OF CHESTER

Ariana Hurtado-Day, Zoe Scruggs, Megan Sharp, and Andre Lewis

Looking for tasty foods to try? Well, we have got you covered; we will explore a few local favorites in the city of Chester. The city has a wide array of flavors and styles.  
A favorite of ours is Aunt B’s Country Kitchen. Aunt B serves all the classics like southern styled mac and cheese, yams, and potato salad for sides. The food is cooked to order, so it is always hot and fresh and garnished with love. The main items on the menu all come with their own standout flavor. The Chicken Burger, which is nothing like what you’re used to, is made with lettuce, tomatoes, crispy onions, and “B” sauce. The Salmon Cheesesteak Sandwich is made with seafood aioli sauce, sautéed onions, peppers, and broccoli sauce. 
Ob’s Jamaican Restaurant brings the taste of the Caribbean to our riverfront city. They have the classic oxtail, the most juicy and delicious option on any Caribbean menu. Consider ordering jerk chicken if you’re looking for something spicier with an herbal flavor. For the beginner audience, a stew chicken may be more fitting. Stew chicken has a sweet twist and a more familiar flavor. 
Duo Tacos & Bowls is a Mexican joint down south of Widener. They aren’t too shy to leave their comfort zone with throwing some jerk chicken in their tacos and even some lemon pepper shrimp. They also have a vegan option of grilled portobello mushroom tacos topped with onion, cilantro, slaw, and duo sauce.  
Status is the up-and-coming fabulous fusion of seafood, soul food, and comfort. Be sure to check out the friendly atmosphere and wonderful customer service. Then, don’t be afraid to go crazy with the food. Everything is delicious and definitely will leave your belly full, especially the Alaskan Snow Crab Platter that comes with a side of corn, broccoli, and potatoes. It is a restaurant and bar, so drinks WILL be served, but only to those 21 and over!  
Phatso’s Bakery makes you want to jump out of bed hours early. Phatso’s is a small family business that offers freshly baked donuts with an aura of positivity. The staff is so welcoming, but they do open at 5:30 a.m. and close around 1 p.m. (maybe earlier if they run out). So, as soon as you wake up, get moving and grab your favorite flavor. They make cakes to order, too! 
For the pickier foodies, Vittles Food Court has a plethora of options. These span across a variety of menus: Mexican, soul food, breakfast favorites, and seafood. Then, once you’re full, you can indulge in some delicious sweets from different bakeries throughout the food court.   
These businesses should not only be supported because they’re delicious; by supporting these businesses, you are directly supporting the Chester community in an incredibly valuable way. The city of Chester has been systemically suppressed, inhibiting economic and community growth. By supporting local, Black-owned businesses, the businesses themselves become more in-demand, thus making them more profitable. This creates legitimate entrepreneurial opportunities for people. More people can become employed by these companies, and economic opportunity becomes more attainable for community members who may not typically encounter it.  
The Widener community can work together to end the cycle of systemic poverty by driving or walking a few minutes and eating delicious food. If we simply turn our attention away from huge multinational corporations and support these small businesses, we can directly impact the economy of Chester in an extremely positive way—and eat well in the process!