HOUSTON – At a moment when Houston’s restaurant industry is feeling the squeeze, one local favorite is leaning into community, culture, and seriously good food.
Black Restaurant Week Houston kicks off April 5, spotlighting Black-owned culinary businesses across the city and encouraging diners to show up and support. Among the participating restaurants this year is Chitalian Pizzeria, a North Houston spot known for its Chicago-style comfort food—and its come-up story.
Owner DeAllen Nettles knows firsthand what it means to grind through the tough days.
Before opening a brick-and-mortar, Nettles built his business from a food truck, sometimes facing days where he made zero dollars. But he kept going—learning how to adapt, connect with customers, and push through uncertainty. During the pandemic, his food truck gained viral attention, helping grow a loyal following that would eventually carry over into his restaurant.
That experience still shapes how he runs the business today.
Despite rising costs across the industry, Nettles has kept his prices consistent with what he charged when he first started out—a decision rooted in both resilience and accessibility.
The menu reflects that same spirit: hearty, no-frills comfort food, from loaded supreme pizzas to wings, shrimp combos, turkey sandwiches, and Italian beef.
It’s exactly the kind of business Black Restaurant Week was designed to support.
Founded in Houston in 2016, the multi-day campaign was created to bring visibility to Black-owned restaurants, chefs, and food trucks—many of which operate without the marketing budgets of larger brands. The initiative has since expanded nationwide, but Houston remains its cultural home base.
And the timing couldn’t be more relevant.
With rising food costs, shifting dining habits, and ongoing economic pressure, many restaurant owners say it’s getting harder to stay afloat. Events like Black Restaurant Week aims to change that by driving foot traffic and giving diners a reason to explore new spots.
At Chitalian Pizzeria, that means welcoming both longtime regulars and first-time visitors looking to try something new—and support something meaningful.
Sometimes the real success story isn’t going viral—it’s staying open.
📅 Black Restaurant Week runs April 5–19
🌐 Find participating restaurants: blackrestaurantweeks.com