Where to: Soul on Shawmut, serving classic (and sometimes not-so-classic) soul food in Roxbury.
Why: For tasty takes on comfort food, made with care. To support a Black-owned business run by people with lifelong ties to the community. To enjoy soul food that is also halal. To expand your notion of what “soul food” means.
The backstory: In late 2024, siblings Aadam Abdul-Musawwir, Muhammad Abdul-Musawwir, and Iman Lamontagne opened Soul on Shawmut. Aadam previously ran a pop-up called Aadam’s Halal Meals; Iman’s background is in nonprofits and Muhammad’s in finance. They grew up in Roxbury with their parents and three other siblings. “We had our own Black Muslim experience with food that we felt was very special,” says Lamontagne. “This is our own take on soul food that comes from the people that fed us and the food we cooked growing up. Some of those people were Somali or Moroccan. Our beans and rice comes from — we call her our aunt, she was one of our mom’s best friends growing up, she was Cape Verdean. This is really an honor to our community, to traditions and flavors we grew up with.”
What to eat: Fried chicken, inspired by the siblings’ father; the dish is his specialty. Or try some wings, in flavors like Old Bay honey and garlic parmesan. Then add sides such as smoky mac ‘n’ cheese, hand-cut fries, caramelized yams, and collard greens with cabbage. There are sandwiches, too: The steak and cheese is made with grilled rib-eye, and the grilled cheese burger features a patty between grilled cheese buns. The house-made bacon jam takes it over the top.
What to drink: Don’t miss the hibiscus watermelon juice, refreshing and eye-catchingly crimson. And African coffee brewed with spices is a neighborhood hat-tip. Dayib Cafe, a Somali restaurant, long occupied this space, and its piping hot chai was a favorite. “People started coming in saying, ‘Where’s the tea, where’s the tea?,’” says Lamontagne, who used to drink it in the mornings as a high school student. “We weren’t planning on having the tea at all, that’s not what we do, but Aadam and I sat down and were like, ‘Wait a sec, we love the tea!,’ so he put his own spin on it.”
The takeaway: Soul on Shawmut is a tiny spot with a big heart. (There are a few seats for no-frills in-house dining, and takeout is an option too.) Come for the loving neighborhood vibe and handmade food. These aren’t things to be rushed, so keep that in mind if you’re on a schedule. But if you’ve got time to relax, banter with staff and neighbors, and enjoy a bite, Soul on Shawmut is here for you.
722A Shawmut Ave., Roxbury, 617-238-7525, www.soulonshawmut.com. Sandwiches $10-$20, fried chicken $7-$18, sides $5-$6, desserts $4-$7.
Devra First can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram @devrafirst.
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