The worst of the COVID pandemic seems to be over as food and drink establishments that survived the pandemic begin to expand.  Two of the businesses include Harlem Hops in New York City and Mukase Restaurant in Chicago.

Since opening in June 2018, Harlem Hops has been a popular Central Harlem destination for beer, booze, bites, and beats. Now, this Uptown-based brand has expanded, as the team opens Harlem Hops Chelsea, joining more than a dozen women- and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC)-owned vendors of food and drink at the James Beard Foundation-curated Market 57 food hall at New York City’s Pier 57.

The freshest local craft beers available will flow from the 12 taps at Harlem Hops Chelsea, from small batch, family-owned brewers, and from leading area breweries as well. A number of brewers of color are also represented at the taps. Cans are available.

Market 57 is an incubator for emerging chefs and entrepreneurs that showcases the culinary and cultural diversity of New York City. As HBCU grads, minority business owners, and an Outstanding Bar semifinalist for the 2023 James Beard Awards, Harlem Hops' team say they are proud to be among a select group of vendors that champion a standard of good food and drink anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability.

Market 57 is at Pier 57 in Hudson River Park, 25 11th Avenue, between 14th & West 17th Streets.  Harlem Hops is at 2268 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, between 133rd & 134th Streets.

Chicago’s The Mukase Restaurant, 1363 W Wilson Avenue, also opened at a second location. The newest eatery is at 358 N. Schmidt in Bolingbrook, IL. Bolingbrook, a southwest suburb of Chicago, has the next largest population of Continental Africans outside Chicago and considered one of the best places to live in Illinois.

“The authentic African restaurant focuses on its mission to serve the tastiest, most authentic cuisines,” says owner, Agyeiwaa Frimpong.  “We only use the freshest ingredients in a friendly and welcoming environment.” Their flagship restaurant opened in 2017 in the Uptown neighborhood, home of several West African and Ethiopian restaurants.