Our Story
The world's oldest soul food restaurant, built two chickens at a time.
Lacey C. Wilson Sr. shined shoes on Capitol Hill and saved his tips. He wasn’t saving for a fancy suit or a watch. He was saving to open a restaurant.
1944
Lacey wanted a place that felt like home.
Somewhere a Black Washingtonian could sit down to a good meal without being harassed, in a city that offered few. Somewhere people of different races, social standings and religions could eat side by side.
He had been shining shoes on Capitol Hill and saving every tip. In 1944 he and Bertha opened on the corner of Florida Avenue and 11th Street NW.
Lacey & Bertha
Two chickens at a time.
The Grill did not fill the building then. Other businesses sat alongside it. There was room for two bar stools, and the Wilsons cooked in the basement.
Money was tight enough that Bertha would buy two chickens, fry them, sell them, then run back to the store for two more.
That is why we say the Grill was built two chickens at a time.
1968
Dr. King’s assassination set off riots across the country, and the U Street corridor was the center of them in Washington. Most of the businesses nearby burned to the ground.
The Grill did not. Lacey Jr. put it plainly: “Because I stayed up every night at that front booth all night long with a shotgun!”
It was firebombed anyway. He put the fire out himself.
1970
Lacey Jr. bought a majority interest in the Grill from his parents, then the building itself, and over time the adjacent lots that became the parking lot.
Before that he served thirteen years in the Marine Corps as a Platoon Sergeant, ran a DC nightclub, and started several other businesses. He ran the Grill for thirty-five years and says he never thought about giving up.
“The Grill represents soul food.”
2005
Attorney and entrepreneur Imar Hutchins bought the Grill from Lacey Jr. He changed very little, because he wanted the regulars to understand that new ownership did not mean a new Grill.
He also built the Wilsons a monument next door. The Lacey, a 26-unit building designed by Ali Honarkar of Division One Architects, went up on the Grill’s old parking lot.
“Most developers would have wanted to tear down the Grill to get another couple of units, but to me it was important to preserve a critical part of DC history.”
Since 2024
The World-Famous Florida Avenue Grill has been co-owned by Howard University alumni who stepped in with a mission to preserve The Grill's important legacy and carry its traditions forward.
The Grill remains proudly Black-owned and operated, rooted in the same values, spirit, and community that have defined it for generations. It’s the same beloved Soul Food restaurant, just with updated technology, a refreshed brand, and an expanded menu celebrating flavors of the broader African diaspora.
Our goal is to honor the authenticity of The Grill while evolving to ensure it continues serving our beautifully diverse community for another 82+ years.
Today
Many of the recipes have stood the test of time, bringing generations of people back to the Grill. But it’s the people who make this place feel like home. You never know who you’ll sit next to: a well-known artist or activist, a neighbor who’s been regularly coming here for forty years, or a visitor discovering DC’s rich history for the first time. Together, they reflect the beautiful tapestry of our city.
“You can come here alone and leave with a friend.”
Experience the Menu
Everything still made from scratch, the way Lacey and Bertha did it. Soul food classics, American breakfast, and Jamaican favorites.
Join the Community
Since 1944 the Grill has been a place to find a hearty meal, familiar faces, and a sense of belonging. If you are organizing for something positive, we would love to hear from you.
