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In today’s landscape where fast-food establishments team up with entertainers, and celebrities operate their franchises, it’s hardly surprising to see rappers branching into the food scene. Indeed, some well-known artists even bear names that evoke culinary delights — consider Salt-N-Peppa, cupcakKe, or Ice-T. Cooking is an integral part of life for many, whether during cherished Sunday family dinners or through makeshift meals during tough times.
Eminem’s restaurant, Mom’s Spaghetti, draws its concept from his hit song “Lose Yourself,” which also features prominently in his semi-autobiographical film, 8 Mile. True to the establishment’s name, the menu includes straightforward choices such as spaghetti and meatballs served between slices of Texas toast. In a similar vein, Ludacris’s Chicken + Beer reflects influences from his fourth studio album, featuring items that celebrate his Southern roots, including shrimp and grits, fried catfish, and collard greens.
Rap-Up has compiled a list of artists who have ventured into the restaurant industry. From rapidly growing chains to fresh establishments making their debut, here’s a look at 10 eateries owned by rappers that you should definitely check out.
1. 2 Chainz’s Esco Restaurant and Tapas
Primarily recognized for his music career, 2 Chainz has demonstrated remarkable business acumen as well. The “I’m Different” star is the mastermind behind Esco Restaurant and Tapas, which officially began its franchising journey following a legal settlement with the family of Pablo Escobar. Launched in 2016 alongside Mychel “Snoop” Dillard, Esco now boasts locations in Memphis, Dallas, Columbus, and throughout Georgia. The diverse menu features culinary delights ranging from tapas and seafood to Southern delights like Cajun salmon and collard greens.
In a chat with “Assets Over Liabilities,” 2 Chainz mentioned, “I prefer to describe this as more of a vibe or lounge because while we offer excellent food, we also provide stimulating experiences through music, TVs, and refreshing beverages.”
2. Bun B’s Trill Burgers
In 2023, Bun B broadened the reach of his successful burger venture by inaugurating Trill Burgers’ first permanent establishment. The restaurant features crowd favorites like the OG Burger — with vegan options also available — which originally gained fame at various pop-up events. Since 2021, Trill Burgers has garnered significant acclaim, even attracting big names such as Drake, DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, and fellow Texan Travis Scott.
“When these burgers entered my world, I knew it was the moment,” Bun B revealed in REVOLT’s “Drink Champs” in 2023. “I’ve been waiting for this feeling my entire life. Nothing has given me this thrill since probably hip-hop, marriage, and this experience.”
3. Eminem’s Mom’s Spaghetti
Inspired by the iconic lyric from Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” a themed restaurant named Mom’s Spaghetti opened in 2021. This concept eatery began as a pop-up in 2017 and was launched in partnership with the rapper’s team and a local restaurant group from Detroit. The menu includes simple but delicious spaghetti options — served plain, with meatballs, or with vegan “rabbit balls” — in addition to s’ghetti sandwiches, all priced under $15. For those unable to visit the physical location in downtown Detroit, Mom’s Spaghetti also offers online sales of pasta sauce and other merchandise.
Lil Baby and restaurateur Chad Dillion, who tragically lost his life in a shooting incident in July, collaboratively opened The Seafood Menu Restaurant & Lounge in Atlanta. Although it shut down in January, its website showcased delectable offerings such as fried catfish and various seafood boil selections. The eatery also featured an array of seven bespoke sauces, including Caribbean jerk butter, hot honey, and garlic butter.
5. Ludacris’ Chicken + Beer
The title of Ludacris’ fourth album, Chicken – N – Beer, served as the inspiration for his restaurant name about 13 years later. Operating at two locations, namely Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport, the establishment offers a wide range from crispy fried chicken and shrimp and grits to sides such as mac and cheese, dirty rice, and collard greens. Interestingly, this isn’t Ludacris’ first culinary endeavor; he once owned a Singaporean restaurant in Atlanta named Straits.
6. Moneybagg Yo’s Cache 42
Launching in April 2023, Cache 42 marked its premiere in Moneybagg Yo’s native Memphis, Tennessee. This venture signifies his initial steps into the restaurant world, serving gourmet delicacies such as oxtail egg rolls, lamb lollipops, tomahawk steak, and surf and turf dishes, among others. The kitchen is led by Daris Leatherwood, who previously worked as Lil Wayne’s personal chef.
7. T.I.’s Trap City Cafe
Following a lengthy three-year journey, which included numerous challenges, T.I. successfully inaugurated Trap City Cafe. Situated near the rapper’s Trap Music Museum in Atlanta, the venue offers brunch, lunch, and dinner featuring a diverse selection of dishes.
“This is the intersection of streets, business, culture, community, and art, all converging right here at Trap City Cafe,” he shared with ABC 17 News.
8. Quavo’s V12 Restaurant & Sports Bar
In collaboration with co-owners Vinny and Kelan Watson, Quavo established V12 Restaurant & Sports Bar, aiming to revolutionize Atlanta’s dining and sports bar culture. The reservation platform describes the venue as a “fresh classic and a cornerstone for both locals and visitors.” Appetizers comprise fried popcorn shrimp, lobster bites, and spinach dip, while main dishes include seared salmon, beef short ribs, as well as various chicken options. Quavo’s culinary establishment also boasts an extensive list of celebrity endorsements: Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Ari Fletcher, and even Lana Del Rey, with whom the former Migos member partnered on the track “Tough.”
In relation to his choice to collaborate with Vinny and Kelan, the rapper disclosed exclusively to REVOLT, “It feels genuine. They are exceptional collaborators, and I have always visited their other establishments — such as Sovereign Sweets — that they’ve developed, and I was eager to be a part of it.”
9. Flavor Flav’s Flav’s Fried Chicken
Flavor Flav joined forces with Iowa restaurateur Nick Cimino to establish Flav’s Fried Chicken in January 2011; however, the establishment closed its doors just a few months later. Despite the New York rapper’s culinary school training suggesting a promising venture, the initiative faltered on the commercial front.
When queried about what distinguished his restaurant from franchises like KFC and Church’s Chicken, he stated, “The secret of FCC lies not in the breading but in the meat. I season my meat first […] If you peel off the breading from my chicken, you’ll still savor the flavor.”
10. Trick Daddy’s Sunday’s Eatery
Being able to enjoy Sunday meals any day is the essence of Trick Daddy‘s Sunday’s Eatery. Situated in his hometown Miami, the restaurant features a menu rich with Southern-style fare — most notably fried ribs, turkey wings, pork chops, and Cornish hen. The rapper skillfully offers a variety of sides; options include candied yams, peas and rice, sweet corn, and mac and cheese.
Among the desserts, there’s a unique blue banana pudding, which TikTok food critic Stefan Johnson described as “sweet but not overly sweet. It’s creamy, and it feels as if they infused the Nilla Wafers with some type of special mixture.”