by John Reid

“Welcome Home!”

That’s the first thing you see when you enter Down Home Comfort Cafe, one of the newest Black-owned restaurants in Woodbridge. Already visited by several people in the area, including local officials, we decided what better place to spend Valentine’s Day? So we did, and what an experience!

Once we set the reservation, I received a text from the restaurant confirming our time. That’s not unusual, but what was really great was the restaurant sent the menu to me and said I could pre-order prior to our arrival. Being the picky eater that I am, this made it easier to decide before we got there. It was definitely a cornucopia of choices available, and being a born-and-raised Georgian, I was going to be particularly interested in how Southern the food was.

Upon arrival, the restaurant was in a very quaint but serene area of town with the sign “Soul Food” in red-neon colors, so you couldn’t mistake exactly what you were getting. Given it was a Friday evening, my wife and I expected it to be busy, but from the on-set we were greeted by co-owner Dr. Wakeena Dickens, who along with her husband Chef Darius, who have owned several restaurants in the past.

First, a little something about the ambiance. It was beautifully Black, and set just the right atmosphere you would find at a speakeasy. The walls painted an elegant red, with photos of Black kings and queens permeating throughout the establishment, and the energy was live for such a cozy setting. Adding to it were the smooth tones of Neo Soul music in the background.

Ah yes, the food, you say? It was deliciously Southern, and whether it was the shrimp and grits, or the mac and cheese, it was a delightful taste, seasoned just right. We also tried what was called the “Love Bomb,” a Deep Pink edible glitter moscoto. It added just the right touch to our meal. Topping it off were the flavorful desserts of the honey cornbread and cheesecake. Overall, it was an incredible time and something I would encourage everyone to enjoy.

For more information on Down Home Comfort Cafe, please check out their website.