Tevin’s Home Cooking is a well-established Soul Food restaurant located near Langston University’s campus that has been a staple to the community. The restaurant opened in 2017 and since then has been catering to Langston students and the town. Tevin Williams is a proud alumni of Langston University who graduated in 1991. Williams loves the atmosphere Langston students bring to his establishment. For him, serving food and showcasing his cooking abilities are fulfilling.
“I love it,” Williams said, “it’s not about the money, especially at Langston, but it’s about giving back to the youth”.
Tevin’s is located near the university bookstore and will continue to stay there as a restaurant.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I’ve been offered many restaurants all over the state of Oklahoma but I would like to retire here,” Williams said.
Tevin’s is not only a place to eat but an experience of comfort to the public where customers are acknowledged with assurance. Tevin grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he learned and worked under his mother’s three restaurants. At six years old, he found his passion in cooking and as he got older “it was always my desire to open my own restaurant when I retired.”
Biology major Joseph Jones said, “It’s cool having a restaurant that’s on campus that’s good rather than driving to Guthrie or Stillwater.” Many students on campus do not own a vehicle and after class, they find themselves consistently going to Tevin’s Restaurant. For “broke college students,” the menu price range varies from $2-$13. Not only does the restaurant provide quality service but it also provides the opportunity for students to have high-quality home-cooked meals.
When the Covid-19 pandemic first occurred 3 years ago, the restaurant faced a few setbacks. Income was not flowing how it normally would have due to student, staff, and faculty concerns for their own safety and the safety of Tevin’s staff. Additionally, during the holiday season, business at Tevin’s experiences about a 35% drop off. Yet, throughout the year service runs smooth, especially during Langston’s annual homecoming season every fall.
From Latino workers in the area getting off work to police officers coming in on their break, customers from all backgrounds find themselves eating at Tevin’s. Feeding and providing for band students and Student-athletes is also something Tevin’s is known for.
Sophomore Shamar Young used to eat at Tevin’s on a daily basis and as she grew comfortable she decided to work at Tevin’s.
“Last semester I was in need of a job and the option that I felt was the best for me was at Tevin’s. Business is always good and you get to laugh and talk,” Young said.
Williams feels Langston “keeps me young.” With new students constantly attending Langston every year, they are bound to run into the restaurant, introducing him to new lingo and the latest music. Not only is Tevin’s a great place to eat great soul food at a reasonable price, but it is one of Langston’s proud Black-owned businesses.
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The Gazette serves as the student voice of Langston University. It is produced within the Department of Communication as a teaching tool and local news source for the campus community. The views and opinions expressed within are those of the writers whose names appear with the articles and do not necessarily represent the views of Langston University.
