Yebo Kitchen – Late Brunch, Big Flavor
I couldn’t let the second week of Black History Month pass without trying a Black-owned restaurant that has been on my list for way too long. I hate that it took me this long to get here! This past Sunday, I finally visited Yebo Kitchen, a spot known for serving American dishes with a Southern influence—and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
The Location… Yebo Kitchen is located in Baltimore at 2219 Maryland Ave. Street parking is the only option, and while my friend and I somehow got lucky and found a spot right in front, parking is pretty scarce. Keep that in mind when you plan your visit!
The Vibes… Now, my favorite part—the vibes. And trust me, the vibes here are immaculate. From the moment you walk in, you're welcomed with warm hospitality, stylish décor, and a fire playlist.
Right now, Yebo doesn’t take reservations, so you’ll need to add yourself to the waitlist upon arrival. Be prepared for a shock when you hear the wait time, but don’t let it scare you—it might not be as long as they say. My party checked in at 2:07 p.m. and was told by Tye, the super-friendly hostess, that the wait would be an hour and a half. But at 2:42 p.m., we got a text that our table was ready. Shoutout to Tye for making it happen!
The restaurant itself is cozy. There are some couches near the hostess stand, a small bar with high-top seating, the main dining area, and a patio. Not a ton of space, so bring some patience. Brunch runs until 6 p.m. on Sundays, making it a great spot for fellow late brunchers like me.
The service? A1. The playlist? Top tier. Think classic R&B mixed with some Brent Faiyaz.
The Drinks… I kept it simple with Prosecco, but my friend went for the Mango Lemonade—5/5, highly recommend! They offer a variety of brunch cocktails, but we decided to keep things light this time.
The Food… Everyone has been raving about Yebo Kitchen’s food, and I officially get the hype.
Deep-Fried Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits – The highlight of my meal. I don’t do sweets often, but I couldn’t write this review without trying something a little indulgent. So glad I did. These weren’t overly sweet and reminded me of a strawberry crunch ice cream bar. The strawberries were fresh, and the strawberry cream on the side was light and not too sugary. I appreciated that it was served separately, so the biscuit didn’t get soggy. The biscuit itself? Crispy on the outside, soft inside—almost like a freshly fried donut. So good!
The Yebo Omelet – This was my entrée, and it was loaded with lobster, crawfish, crabmeat, and cheese. The flavors were there, and it had a Cajun-style sauce on top that I loved—I just wish there was more of it because the omelet was a little dry. Still solid overall.
Lobster Fried Rice – My friend ordered this, and of course, I had to sample it. The rice was buttery, slightly sweet from the eel sauce, and topped with a fried lobster tail. I personally love a little sweetness in my fried rice (yes, I’m that person who pours mumbo sauce on carryout fried rice), but my friend thought it was a bit too sweet for her taste. So, this one comes down to preference!
Final Thoughts… I had high expectations for Yebo Kitchen, and they absolutely delivered. I’m already planning a return trip for dinner. DMV folks, this spot might just be worth the drive.
Try it out and let me know what you think!
Cheers!
