For nearly 90 years, Owens Grocery Market & Deli has been a cornerstone of Baton Rouge’s Valley Park neighborhood, serving soul food staples with heart and history, 225 writes.
Every morning before sunrise, 75-year-old Cynthia Owens Green crosses the street to the family business her parents founded in the 1930s. From scratch-made breakfasts to daily-changing plate lunches, Green dishes up Southern classics—fried chicken, baked turkey wings, red beans and rice—with warmth and deep roots.
Locals line up for a taste of home, drawn by Facebook posts or the aroma wafting from the modest storefront. The menu includes longtime favorites like hamburger steak, smothered pork chops, and the beloved “truck driver” burger, alongside pigtails for the die-hards. Despite the loss of the original grocery section, the dining room still hums with community.
This weekend, Green will be honored as the Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival’s 2024 Soul Food Pioneer—a tribute to her legacy of flavor and resilience. As she continues her daily ritual, it’s clear Owens isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a Baton Rouge institution built on family, tradition and soul.