Every Wednesday and Saturday, Trachele “Tracey” Johnson honors her late mother’s dedication to community service by offering a $10 meal special in her restaurant, Tracey’s Kitchen.
“My mom was a cook,” Johnson says. “She used to cook big pots of food. We grew up in a household of 13 of us. She just didn’t feed us, she cooked enough food for us, our friends, and the homeless.”
Like her mother, Johnson values the importance of providing home cooked meals to others.
“I try to give back to the community,” Johnson says. “Food is expensive. I know it’s expensive for me. I buy it, but I like to give back to my community. That’s why I give out $10 specials all the time. Some people can’t afford $25.”
Tracey’s Kitchen, Johnson’s restaurant at 241 East Front Street in Downtown Trenton, is building a reputation with patrons as the cozy, caring home of soul food with Liberian culinary influence.
Upon entry into Tracey’s Kitchen the warm and savory aroma of turkey wings, candied yams, and green beans fill the air. Sounds of neo-soul play through the eatery, and a mural of the late Mrs. Johnson welcomes guests.
No stranger to travelers, Tracey’s Kitchen has welcomed patrons from across state lines in P.A, up north in Essex County, N.J., and as close as a few blocks away in Trenton. Patrons are drawn by $10 soul food dinner specials and a signature dish called “A Taste of Africa,” the cornerstone of the restaurant’s viral popularity and family legacy.
“A Taste of Africa” is a spicy spinach or cassava leaf dish with rice and a protein choice of either chicken or shrimp. Trenton native Trecey Hayes, who has been visiting Tracey’s Kitchen since its opening, says the special used to be her regular order.
“A platter I use to get all the time it’s called ‘A Taste of Africa’, with the spinach shrimp or the chicken rice with some spice,” Hayes said. “It’s good.”
Another staple menu item revered by patrons at Tracey’s Kitchen is the mac and cheese, known for its fluffy texture, smooth mouthfeel and stringy cheese that stretches from fork to plate. Marlo Robinson of Bensalem, P.A., a weekly patron to Tracey’s Kitchen, recommends pairing the mac and cheese with other side menu items.
“Oh my god, the collard greens are absolutely amazing,” Robinson says. “I’ve waited three hours for those. I love the salmon, I love the garlic shrimp, the macaroni and cheese, especially the corners and circle all the above.”
Another crowd favorite at Tracey’s Kitchen is another dinner option of six well done, crispy, herb crusted wings coated in a zesty lemon pepper glazed.
Sudan “Nia” Baskin from Irvington, N.J. was searching for a place to eat and came upon Tracey’s Kitchen through Google. Her experience, she says, makes her want to return.
“The food was great. Everything I had was good, very tasty, nothing overly cooked, temperature was great,” Baskin says, adding, “Everything is amazing and I will come again.”
Tracey’s Kitchen serves up her Liberian-flared soul food six days a week, Tuesday through Sunday. And though communities from near and far rave about the cooking, it’s not just the food that has customers returning for seconds.
“Tracey’s personality brings me back,” Baskin says. “Tracey’s personality matches the food.”
