Little Red's: A Labor of Love Feeding Seattle's Soul
"I love feeding people. I love watching people eat my food," says Erasto “Red” Jackson, owner of Little Red's Take Out and Catering. Red's passion for food and community shines through in every aspect of his restaurant, from the carefully crafted menu to the warm and welcoming atmosphere.
More Than Just a Restaurant
Little Red's is more than just a place to grab a bite to eat. It's a community hub, a place where people can come together and share a meal. "We consider this our ministry," says General Manager and Chef Teia Burton-Green. "We consider this the way that we will impact the world through their stomachs and by nourishing them with food, food that is prepared with love."
This sense of community is evident in the way that Red and his team interact with their customers. "Take care of your customers, because without your customers, you don't have a business," Red advises. "Do it for the love. Don't do it for the money."
A Menu to Satisfy Every Craving
Little Red's offers a wide variety of dishes, from classic barbecue to Jamaican specialties. "You can come here multiple times and have a different experience," says Teia.
Some of the must-try items include the brisket, mac and cheese, garlic mash, oxtails, curry chicken, and curry goat. And for those looking for something sweet, be sure to try one of the seasonal pies.
The Secret Ingredient: Love
What makes Little Red's so special? It's the love that goes into every dish. "When you put that much love into your food, I can't suggest [just one thing]," says Grill Mistress Sunni. "What do you want to eat? You want some beef, you want some pork, you want some chicken, you want some fish?"
"What makes Little Red Special is the love that's put into the food," she adds.
A Commitment to Community
Red is committed to giving back to the community that has supported him. He regularly donates meals to the homeless and hosts special events for the community. "If we don't give ourselves as a community of opportunities to succeed, then who's going to give it to us?" he asks.
A Bright Future
Little Red's has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a food cart. But Red's vision for the future is even bigger.
Wherever Little Red's goes, one thing is for sure: it will continue to be a place where people can come together and enjoy delicious food made with love.
As Red says, "Thank you for enjoying what we're doing here. Thank you for supporting us. Just thank you."
Lil Red’s Takeout & Catering
4225 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, Washington 98118
