Located at 317 N. Main Street, Alcenia’s newly renovated soul food restaurant in the Pinch District of downtown is owned and operated by B.J., who is just as famous for her hugs as she is her comfort food. There are two things you should know before you head into Alecina’s: the food is decadent and delicious, and it’s going to be a leisurely lunch. Everything is made-to-order so come hungry and be prepared to relax and socialize with a cup of their world-famous Ghetto-Aid. You know what’s begging to be ordered here: fried chicken with a side of lima beans (you can get it with or without okra).
BJ Chester-Tamayo opened Alcenia’s in 1997 to heal her heart after the untimely death of her son. She wasn’t a cook and had never worked in a restaurant. She used her mother’s recipes and called her mom in Mississippi often to make sure preparations were right.
Alcenia Chester-Clark (1921–2019) was an amazing cook, a loving mother and friend, and an all-around phenomenal person. She—along with BJ’s granddaughter, Alcenia Tamayo—is our restaurant’s namesake and constant inspiration, and will remain in our hearts and souls forever.
Today, more than 20 years later, Alcenia’s continues to bring people together, fill their bellies and put smiles on their faces.
Soul food, southern-style cuisine, meat-and-three meals, down-home eats, your grandma’s cooking—whatever you call it, at Alcenia’s it’s always handmade to order from scratch with love. Heart to heart. Soul to soul.
Our specialties include fried chicken, salmon croquettes, catfish, pork chops, meatloaf, waffles, fried green tomatoes, cha-cha cabbage, yams, hot-water cornbread, an assortment of incredible desserts and many other homey favorites. We serve lunch from 11a–5p on Tuesday – Friday and our famous brunch on Saturday from 9a–3p.
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