With the approach of autumn, a new snack bar is being created.
On Thursday, August 28, Black Dragon in West Philly (5260 Rodman Street) will open to the public. This fast-casual eatery also offers about 10 seats for African-American Chinese food.
The restaurant is owned and operated by Kurt Evans, former co-owner of the award-winning Down North Pizza, whose idea to reinvent the conventional Chinese-American takeout restaurant was to “fill a palpable void in Philly.”
“Chinese takeout places have been disappearing all over Philadelphia, especially in the black community,” Evans says. “Black Dragon is the cultural culinary response to that, because we’re in the same location as another Chinese takeout place that previously closed.”
This subversive atmosphere pays homage to the iconic aesthetic of Chinese-American takeout while integrating black culinary culture. Here, the sweet and spicy chicken dish is called “General Roscoe’s” Chicken rather than General Tso’s Chicken, and the “Dan Dan” noodles are called “Man Man” noodles. At Black Dragon, the spring rolls are filled with collard greens rather than cabbage, and the lo mein dishes are instead seasoned with oxtail and gumbo spices. On the business side, the restaurant strives to hire talent from the neighborhood and give former inmates a second chance.
The fast-casual menu at Black Dragon features Black American Chinese cuisine made with local ingredients, ideal for lunch and dinner. Guests can expect an affordable selection ($3 to $26.75) of familiar takeout dishes, including kale fried rice, yaka mein noodles with Sichuan ginger beef broth and grilled shrimp, curry beef skewers, sweet potato chili wings, Egg Wu Young with Creole etouffée sauce, and more.
Black Dragon’s grand opening is Thursday, August 28, with regular service Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. Reservations are not required. Their lunch and dinner menu is available all day, with catering options (larger party portions of their various entrees and appetizers) for sale. For more information, guests can follow them on their Instagram, where updates with additional details can be found on their website.