When looking for a restaurant to eat the food is very important but so is the environment. When a business can offer you good food, friendly conversation and a welcoming ambiance it will be filled with people. This is how one could describe the characteristics of Bertha’s Soul Food Bar & Grill.
Bertha’s is a popular local Baltimore restaurant where you can go to enjoy some food that will touch your soul. With popular menu items such as lamb chops over rice to their catfish dinner with sweet potatoes and greens. Being located on Belair Road means there are many other food spots to compete with so it's important to stand out. This is where the idea of strong family values plays a role because that is the foundation of Berthas.
Richard Horten has been the owner of Bertha’s Soul Food Bar & Grill for two years. When asked what the environment of his restaurant is like he said that it is a homey feeling. “It's a homey environment for people who want soul food. It makes you feel as though you are among your family”. Horten says that it is very important to cook while you're in a good mood. “ All of our food is made from the soul, I do this for love. If you come into this business with an attitude that energy from your attitude goes into the food. But if everyone is up tempo and happy then your food will come out happy.” “
The idea of having your family to help you in whatever career you pursue is a very strong topic that Horten emphasized on. “ I should of been gotten into this industry. I should have started this when I still had my mother around to help me”. Mrs. Bertha, who is Hortens mother and also who the restaurant is named after, was the original owner of the establishment. She unfortunately passed away and ever since Horten has taken up the possession of the owner as of 2020 and works hard to keep her legacy going.
When asked what is the source of his passion and what drives him to keep going Horten answers simply it's the people, they are like his family. “When I see people leave my store with a smile or when I can take a young kid and give him a job behind the counter to prevent him from going out and just hanging on the streets. A Lot of these people in here are family to me, we might not share the same blood but we are still family. At the end of the day I’m just trying to help my people out and anyone who comes into this place are my people”.
Bertha's Soul Food is open Tuesday - Sunday from 8 A.M. to 9 P.m. and is located at 4201 Belair Rd. Horten will be waiting with open arms to welcome all new and returning customers.
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