 |
| Down North Pizza staff members Jamar Johnson, left, executive chef Michael Carter, center, and Kaseem Ali hang out at the front of the shop in Philadelphia on Jan. 30 |
Feb. 11, 2025, 4:00 PM GMT+6
When Michael Carter started selling barbecue from his front porch in 2020, he had no idea it would lead him to become the executive chef of a beloved restaurant—let alone one staffed entirely by formerly incarcerated individuals.
A mutual friend introduced Carter to Muhammad Abdul-Hadi, the founder of Down North Pizza in Philadelphia. More than just a restaurant, Down North has become a community cornerstone, offering free lunches for neighbors in need and lemonade for local kids. It has also provided a fresh start for a kitchen full of formerly incarcerated individuals, including Carter himself.
The restaurant’s inspiring mission is captured in We the Pizza: Slangin’ Pies and Savin’ Lives, written by Abdul-Hadi and featuring 65 recipes from Carter. The book tells the story of how Down North supports and uplifts its employees while serving food that brings people together.
“When I add up the guys who work here, it’s about 63 years incarcerated,” Carter shared in an interview. “So we understand each other. We’ve faced the same barriers—employment, housing, health care—and we had to figure it out.”
Down North currently employs seven staff members, most with formal culinary training. Those without experience learn from their colleagues in the kitchen.
Carter’s journey to Down North began when he lost his job at another restaurant at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. To make ends meet, he bought a smoker and started selling barbecue from his porch. With a degree in culinary management from the Art Institute and experience in various kitchens, Carter knew his way around a restaurant. But he never felt the same sense of belonging he found at Down North.
“In other kitchens, I had to walk a tightrope,” he said. “The locked-up guys were in the back with the undocumented workers, and everyone had to stay quiet. But here, we operate on mutual respect, admiration, and shared experiences.”
The statistics paint a grim picture: about two-thirds of people released from prison are re-arrested within three years, and one-third struggle to find employment even four years after their release, according to the Justice Department. Abdul-Hadi founded Down North to help break that cycle.
“We’re building a revolution through business economics,” Abdul-Hadi said. “By advancing the formerly incarcerated, we can shatter glass ceilings.” His efforts have not gone unnoticed—last year, he was honored by the James Beard Foundation for his work.
A West Philadelphia native, Abdul-Hadi earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and law enforcement administration from Temple University in 2018. A year later, he launched Down North.
When Carter joined in 2020, the restaurant was still a work in progress. The top oven was broken, so he had to squat to reach the lower oven for every order. “I lost 40 pounds during that time,” he recalled.
As orders increased, so did Down North’s reputation. With media attention—including a spot on The New York Times’ 2021 Restaurant List—and word of mouth, the restaurant grew into a neighborhood staple. Kids stop by for lemonade and to hang out while waiting for the school bus.
In 2021, the restaurant ran a free lunch program. “We served chicken fingers, pizza slices, and fries,” Carter said. “I told the daycares down the street, ‘Bring the kids for lunch on us.’ Word spread, and soon we had a line down the block. It showed we’re here for the community—strictly for the community.”
Beyond its mission, Down North is known for its bold, flavorful menu. The restaurant serves pizza, wings, loaded fries, handspun milkshakes, and homemade lemonade. Carter’s favorite? The Norf Fries—hand-cut fries loaded with cheese sauce, barbecue sauce, scallions, and beef bacon, a Philly staple. The restaurant is entirely halal, ensuring all food is prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary laws.
While beef bacon may not be well-known outside of Philly, Carter sees expansion on the horizon. “In America, one-third of the population has been incarcerated,” he noted. “There’s no shortage of people looking for a second chance.”
0 Comments