Nothing compares to the comfort of authentic soul food in the Lone Star State. Texas offers some of the most heartwarming, stick-to-your-ribs cooking that brings back memories of grandma’s kitchen.
From crispy fried chicken to tender collard greens and mac and cheese that melts in your mouth, these eight restaurants serve up southern hospitality on a plate.
1. Houston This Is It Soul Food – A Third-Generation Legacy
Started in 1959, this Houston institution has stood the test of time for good reason. Longtime customers praise its oxtails, fried chicken, and classic sides that define soul food in Texas.
With locations in both Houston and Humble, this family-owned treasure has become a destination for traditional plates served with consistency. It remains one of the state’s most recognizable names in Southern cooking.
2. Mikki’s Soul Food Cafe – Where Regulars Become Family
Mikki’s has become a Houston-area favorite, known for generous portions and homestyle flavors. Their menu ranges from smothered pork chops to fried catfish, drawing crowds from across the metro.
Owner Jeanette Williams established the Pearland location to highlight family recipes and warm hospitality. Mikki’s reputation has spread widely, making it one of the most prominent names in Texas soul food today.
3. Rosie’s Soul Food – Beaumont Classic
Rosie’s Soul Food in Beaumont has earned a reputation as one of Southeast Texas’s go-to spots for true homestyle Southern cooking. The menu leans heavy on classics like fried chicken, pork chops, smothered oxtails, and meatloaf served with sides of collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread.
Portions are Texas-sized, with plates piled high enough to guarantee leftovers. Regulars highlight the restaurant’s banana pudding and peach cobbler as must-order desserts that finish the meal just right.
4. Drew’s Place – Fort Worth’s Soul Food Sanctuary
Hidden in a modest building on the west side of Fort Worth, Drew’s Place delivers classic Southern comfort. Its fried chicken, mac and cheese, and peach cobbler are staples that locals return for again and again.
Owner Drew Terrell has created a community-centered restaurant where many customers are greeted like family. With decades of history behind it, Drew’s continues to be a cornerstone of Fort Worth’s dining scene
5. Buttons Restaurant – Southern Comfort Meets Jazz In Fort Worth
Buttons blends Southern comfort food with live jazz, creating a dining experience that goes beyond just the plate. Fried chicken and waffles are the signature dish, but the menu also features catfish, greens, and cornbread.
With locations in Fort Worth and Arlington, Buttons has become a destination for food and music lovers alike. It’s a modern take on tradition while still rooted in soul food staples.
6. Sweet Georgia Brown – Dallas Buffet Legend
This Dallas institution is famous for its sprawling soul food buffet. Dishes like fried chicken, pork chops, cornbread, and candied yams pile high on plates that test the limits of appetite.
Locals swear by the peach cobbler, and newcomers are warned to arrive hungry. Sweet Georgia Brown has become a staple stop for anyone wanting hearty, homestyle cooking in North Texas.
7. Esther’s Cajun Café & Soul Food
Located in Houston’s Independence Heights, Esther’s blends Louisiana Cajun flair with Texas soul food. Gumbo, fried chicken, and turkey wings share the menu with classics like collard greens and yams.
The cafeteria-style setup means diners load up their plates with as much variety as they want. Esther’s has become a landmark in Houston for anyone craving soulful Southern flavors.
8. Watts-That Soul Food & More – Comfort On Every Plate
In east Austin, this family-owned restaurant serves up hearty portions of classic dishes like smothered pork chops, fried chicken, and collard greens.
Owner Derrick Watts built the spot around family cooking traditions, and its menu highlights staples like banana pudding and cornbread. The welcoming atmosphere makes it a reliable stop for locals seeking familiar flavors.
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