


High Road Kitchens (HRK) are independent restaurants that provide food on a sliding scale to low-wage workers, health care workers first responders, and others in need. Launched during the COVID-19 crisis, HRK provides jobs for restaurant workers and a subsidy for responsible restaurant owners who commit to paying a living wage and following equitable employment practices.
The pandemic has revealed a pathway to a new future for the service sector. There is no going back. Together we can set a course towards a more equitable industry – for good.
Who we are
One Fair Wage is an organization advancing policy, driving industry change, and shifting the narrative in order to ensure that all workers in America are paid a full, fair minimum wage with tips on top.
One Fair Wage oversees RAISE (Restaurants Advancing Industry Standards in Employment), a High Road Employer Association that supports restaurant owners in advocating for sustainable business models that champion living wages, basic benefits and fair promotion policies. High Road Employers see these as recipes for success, not impediments to profitability. These employers represent over 800 progressive restaurants across the U.S. in all sectors of the industry — from fine dining to quick-casual. RAISE is changing the conversation about wages and labor practices for one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors in the country.
The Cooking Project teaches young people fundamental cooking skills. By focusing on delicious, inexpensive dishes from diverse cultural traditions, our community of chefs, writers, home cooks, and farmers seeks to demystify the culture of food, make good food more accessible, and equip young people to successfully take on challenges in the kitchen and out.
Robert Egger is the founder of DC Central Kitchen and a widely recognized leader and innovator in the non-profit sector. Robert speaks throughout the country and internationally on the subjects of hunger, sustainability, nonprofit political engagement and social enterprise. He writes blogs and editorials to share his ideas about the nonprofit sector and the future of America. He advised on this project.
Together, with support from both the private sector and local and state governments, we have created a program that will not only address the immediate and urgent need for jobs and food, but will also help to create a more equitable industry for the future.
Participating Restaurants
Boston
- Anh Hong Restaurant
- Blend
- Blue Asia Cafe
- Boston Cigar Club
- Brassica Kitchen + Cafe
- Casa Romero
- Dumpling Kingdom
- Evergreen Eatery
- Family Affair Restaurant
- Fasika Cafe
- Friendship BBQ
- Ginger Exchange
- Guira & Tambora Restaurant
- Hei La Moon
- Il Molo
- Italian Express Pizzeria
- Jade Garden Restaurant
- Kaju
- Kaju Tofu House
- La Cancun
- La Casa Del Pandebono
- M&M BBQ
- Montien Thai Restaurant
- Peka Restaurant
- Penang
- Pho Pasteur
- Rino’s Place
- Rox Diner
- Saigon Seafood Restaurant
- Savvor Restaurant and Lounge
- Taco Mex Restaurant
- Tawakal Halal Cafe
- The Blarney Stone
- The Glenville Stops
- Victoria’s Diner
Chicago
- 5 Loaves Eatery
- Adelaide Hall
- Bar Sotano
- Boulevard Sports Lounge
- Bureau Bar
- Carmelo’s Taco Place
- Cousin’s Grill
- Don Pedro Mexican Restaurant
- El Nandu Restaurant
- Flammin Restaurant
- Flour Power
- Herb Thai Restaurant
- Honky Tonk BBQ
- Huaraches Dona Chio
- Huaraches Mexican Restaurant
- Josephine’s Southern Cooking
- Lula Cafe
- Mole Village
- Nana
- Nipsey’s Restaurant
- Peach’s on 47th
- Pearl’s Place Restaurant
- Peke’s Pozole
- Pink Panini Soups & Salads
- Salsa’s Grill
- Sol de Mexico
- Split-Rail
- Sweet & Tart Shoppe
- The Grail Cafe
- The New Look Salon and Restaurant
- The Woodlawn
- Wherewithall
- Windy City Café
- Windy City Ribs & Whiskey
- Wynwood Kitchen & Spirits
- Zhivago Restaurant
Los Angeles
Monterey
New York
- 232 Bleecker
- Achilles Heel
- Amali
- Archie’s Tap and Table
- Baodega
- Bar Bruno
- Bar Marseille
- Barepas
- Bleu Fin Bar & Grill
- Casa Nomad
- Cibo e Vino
- Corazon de Mexico
- Dear Mama Coffee
- Dumpling Galaxy
- Eat Gai
- Harlem Hookah
- Harvest Kitchen
- Hide-Chan Ramen
- Hunky Dory
- Kaikagetsu NYC
- La Adelita de Woodside
- La Morada
- La Palapa
- Lakou Cafe
- Little Tong Noodle Shop
- Loi Estiatorio
- Marlow & Sons
- Marlow Bistro
- Nowon
- Pomp & Circumstance
- Porteñas
- Reverence
- Rincón Salvadoreño
- Rustik Tavern
- Sapoara
- Savannah Cafe
- Settepani
- Skäl
- SOOGIL
- Spicy Moon
- Stand Up Cafe
- Sushi Tokyo
- Telio Restaurant
- The Cecil Steakhouse
- The Corners
- The Expat
- The Queensboro
- Tsion Cafe
- TSISMIS
- Tzarevna
- Zen Yai
Oakland
Sacramento
San Diego
San Francisco
San Jose
Get involved
Want to help? If you’re a restaurant you can sign up to participate in the program. If you’d like to donate, each restaurant has a donate option on their ordering platforms. 100% of that money will help fund more free meals.
A better future
We have a chance to change the way our industry works for the better. If we commit to High Road practices now, we’ll have a head start on a better future. Step one is feeding those in need, and employing our workers. Please consider supporting the High Road Kitchens program, and helping make this a reality.



