Growing up, Gloria never imagined that she would one day own a restaurant. Her father was a cook in the United States Army and he showed her everything he knew about cooking, especially Southern cooking. His side of the family were farmers from the Carolinas, and the food he made for her reflected the rich mosaic of Southern cuisine. She fell in love with that food and with the genuine hospitality that travels with it. After living in various parts of the East Coast and Midwest, she and her family moved to Tacoma, Washington.
Before entering the restaurant world, Gloria owned an African American–themed art gallery and bookstore next door called TAG Inc., while also working in the accounting office at Tacoma Community College. Those experiences ultimately helped prepare her for what would come next.
In 1995, Gloria acquired Southern Kitchen from Ms. Lessie, who originally started the restaurant in 1981. From that point on, Southern Kitchen continued to grow into a beloved Tacoma institution and a place that celebrates Southern flavors and hospitality in the Pacific Northwest.
Over the years, Southern Kitchen has served the community not only from its corner on 6th and Sprague, but also as a vendor at the Thursday Tacoma Farmers Market, the Puyallup Farmers Market, Northwest Folklife Festival, Bite of Seattle, Taste of Tacoma, and many other events. We have been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Kevin Hart's Hart of the City, Evening Magazine, R City R Stories, Seattle Refined, South Sound Business, South Sound Talk, and beyond.
We love our customers, and we hope you find your home away from home here at Southern Kitchen.
