October 19, 2023

Popular local soul food restaurant reopens after 2020 fire

Mayor Joe Hogsett (left) stands with Kountry Kitchen owners Cynthia Wilson (middle) and Isaac Wilson (right). Kountry Kitchen reopened after a fire destroyed the building in 2020. - (WFYI News/Abriana Herron)

Mayor Joe Hogsett (left) stands with Kountry Kitchen owners Cynthia Wilson (middle) and Isaac Wilson (right). Kountry Kitchen reopened after a fire destroyed the building in 2020.

(WFYI News/Abriana Herron)

A popular soul food restaurant in Indianapolis reopened after a fire destroyed it in 2020.

Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place announced its return to the Near North Side with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett attended and spoke at the ceremony.

“Their journey to today is an example of the power, the power of local small businesses,” he said. “Customer loyalty and the unique character of the business can help establish a city’s identity.”

Many consider the restaurant to be a cultural landmark for Indianapolis due to its popularity among residents and celebrities.

Cynthia Wilson, one of the owners of the restaurant, said she’s thankful for the community and organizations who helped with the construction of the new building.

“So many people came to our rescue,” she said.

The new facility was built at Kountry Kitchen’s original location on 1831 N. College Ave. It has also expanded, adding an event space that can host up to 300 people.

Kountry Kitchen will host a grand reopening brunch on Oct. 22.

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