History to Go: Detroit’s Soul Food Tradition Comes Wrapped in a Shoebox

At Cornbread Restaurant & Bar in Southfield, Michigan, owner Patrick Coleman has transformed a simple meal into a profound history lesson.

 

Since 2018, the restaurant has been offering "shoebox lunches," a heartfelt tribute to the resilience of Black travelers during the Jim Crow era.

 

These special cardboard boxes, adorned with images and stories of notable Black Americans, serve as both a meal container and an educational tool.

 

Customers can savor dishes like fried chicken wings or catfish, accompanied by sides such as macaroni and cheese, while learning about figures like civil rights activist Ruby Bridges, baseball legend Satchel Paige, and writer James Baldwin.

 

The inspiration for these shoebox lunches stems from Coleman's family history.

 

His grandmother and mother recounted their experiences traveling from Detroit to Nashville in the 1950s.

 

Once their train crossed the Mason-Dixon Line, segregation laws prohibited Black passengers from dining cars.

 

To cope, they packed meals in shoeboxes, often sharing them in unison with fellow travelers.

 

These boxes typically contained fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and fruit, sometimes decorated with personal trinkets.

 

Reflecting on these stories, Coleman emphasizes, "We just wanted to give a history lesson. When you really come down to it, it’s American history, not necessarily Black history."

 

Beyond the restaurant, these shoeboxes have found a place in educational settings.

 

Schools across Michigan and even institutions like Ohio State University have ordered them for educational purposes.

 

In 2025 alone, Cornbread Restaurant & Bar has distributed 8,000 boxes.

 

In 2022, in response to the national reckoning on racial injustice, Coleman introduced a limited-edition "Stop Racism" box.

 

This version featured stories of individuals like Breonna Taylor and events such as the Tulsa Massacre and Ax Handle Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida.

 

These initiatives underscore the restaurant's commitment to educating the community about the struggles and triumphs of Black Americans.

 

For Coleman, these shoebox lunches are more than just a nod to the past; they are a bridge connecting generations.

 

He shares, "It’s very inspiring when you hear these stories of resourcefulness and resilience."

 

Through this initiative, Cornbread Restaurant & Bar not only serves delicious soul food but also nourishes the mind and spirit, ensuring that the rich tapestry of Black history remains alive and accessible to all.