LuvPlates Soul & Grill is a Black-owned carryout restaurant that serves soul meals with a Caribbean affect. House owners Jamar Johnson and Jacob Vcelik began reserving catering occasions and serving lunch from a meals truck in downtown D.C. in 2016. Their first meals stand opened on the Savor Meals Corridor (now miXt Food Hall) in Brentwood in October 2019. They relocated and opened their first storefront in July 2021, nestled in a tiny strip mall in District Heights.
Strolling into LuvPlates, you’ll discover a colourful hand-painted mural that includes ladies consuming in entrance of the Maryland state flag. A cake stand with parts of candy cornbread sits on the countertop in entrance of a spacious open kitchen, the place you possibly can watch the cooks put together your meals. A warming desk holds the ready-made gadgets, whereas different gadgets are cooked to order.
LuvPlates’ promoting level is the build-your-own platter. Combine and match two or three of their proteins, veggies, and grains in any mixture that fits your urge for food. You aren’t restricted to ordering one protein with a facet or two, for instance. “We consider our meals needs to be loved buffet type,” Johnson says. Order a plate stuffed with hen in order for you!
On my first journey to LuvPlates, regulars insisted I order the jerk hen. It’s the primary time I can recall that many individuals recommending a single menu merchandise. Completely value it. Hen wings chill for 2 days in a spicy house-made jerk marinade, which brings some warmth from Scotch bonnet peppers, earlier than roasting within the oven. Pair the tremendous tender hen with a heaping serving of their World Well-known Mac & Cheese to assist tame the spiciness of the jerk seasoning.
The Fall Off the Bone Ribs are true to their identify. The spare pork ribs marinate for 2 to 3 days earlier than cooks sprinkle a home dry rub, wrap them in aluminum foil, and roast them for 90 minutes earlier than slathering them with barbecue sauce. One hungry buyer bought six full slabs earlier than I arrived, so I missed out on these on my preliminary journey and needed to swing by for one more go to. That succulent rib meat pulls proper off the bone on the primary chunk. I don’t blame that buyer for his huge order, however avoid wasting for me subsequent time!
The halal hen is one other barbecue possibility. Cooks grill the hen thighs and slather them with a barely candy barbecue sauce. The ultimate product is a pleasant, juicy chunk of hen, served in your selection of fluffy jasmine rice or turmeric-seasoned pink beans and rice.
Pan-seared or grilled salmon fillets can be found for an upcharge, cooked to order. All their proteins can be found as sandwiches served on a buttered and toasted potato bun. Different mix-and-match choices embody melt-in-your-mouth collard greens gradual cooked with smoked turkey, and LuvPlates retains a veggie dish of the day on rotation reminiscent of spicy yellow steamed cabbage and sautéed corn.
LuvPlates additionally contains a rotating checklist of specials. Each Tuesday, they serve their DC Gumbo with halal hen and a spicy turkey sausage that simmers low and gradual for about 4 hours. The all-beef “Luvsagna” is their model of lasagna. It’s made with a creamy béchamel sauce as a substitute of the standard ricotta cheese, and saucy ragu is blended with small diced zucchini, broccoli florets, peppers, and onions. It’s obtainable on Fridays and Saturdays, and it sells out fairly shortly. It’s so standard, one buyer tried it as soon as after which ordered three full pans for a piece occasion.
LuvPlates is a good spot to go to should you’re in search of consolation meals in a rush, and don’t overlook to seize one thing candy! Particular person servings of the chef’s every day dessert are on show by the pickup window. Crimson velvet cake slices are normally obtainable. Scoops of peach cobbler and chocolate chip blondie squares are a part of their rotation.
The fusion takeout spot can be veteran-owned. Vcelik retired from the Air Power after serving for 9 years. The restaurant honors a 15 % low cost for all veterans.
LuvPlates can be obtainable on third-party supply apps. Orders will be positioned in particular person or over the telephone for pickup. Name the shop immediately for catering occasions or to e book their meals truck. Retailer hours are midday to eight p.m. Monday by Thursday, midday to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Costs vary from $6 to $21.
LuvPlates Soul & Grill, 6120 Marlboro Pk., District Heights. (301) 420-1119. luvplates.com.
