This Texas Soul Food Spot Serves Fried Chicken with a Side of Serious Comfort

Fried chicken that crackles when you bite into it. Mac and cheese that is creamy and rich.

Collard greens with just the right amount of seasoning. This Texas soul food spot does not just serve food.

It serves comfort. The kind of comfort that makes you close your eyes after the first bite and forget about whatever was stressing you out.

The chicken is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and seasoned all the way through. The sides are not an afterthought.

They are part of the experience. And the portions are generous enough to send you home with leftovers.

It is the kind of place where you can show up hungry and leave happy. The atmosphere is warm, the staff is friendly, and the food is made with care.

Worth the trip. Worth the calories.

Worth every single bite. Bring a friend and an appetite.

You will need both. And maybe a nap afterward.

This is soul food done right.

A Neighborhood Story Since 1987

Back in 1987, Andrew and Stephanie Thomas took a leap and opened a small restaurant in Fort Worth. Decades later, that little spot has turned into one of the most loved soul food kitchens in North Texas.

Drew’s Place sits in the Como neighborhood, a historically Black community on the west side of the city. The restaurant has grown right alongside the neighborhood, soaking up years of birthdays, reunions, church lunches, and everyday meals.

It is more than a place to grab food. It is a gathering spot with a lot of local memory inside its walls.

Plenty of visitors describe the owners as true treasures to the community. That kind of reputation does not come from a clever sign or fancy decor.

It comes from showing up, day after day, and cooking with care for the same families year after year.

Recently, Drew’s Place was chosen as one of 50 historic small restaurants across the country to receive a grant through the Backing Historic Small Restaurants program from American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The funding is meant to help the restaurant freshen up while keeping its legacy strong.

That is a big deal for a neighborhood lunch spot. It shows how much a family business can mean to a city’s history.

So when sitting down to a plate here, remember that the meal carries some real weight. Every forkful supports a story that started long before most food trends even existed.

Golden Fried Chicken Worth the Drive

Crunch comes first, and then the juice. The fried chicken at Drew’s Place is the dish that built its reputation, and one bite explains why so many people drive across town for it.

The outside is golden brown and crackly, coated in a well-seasoned flour crust that holds together instead of sliding off. Inside, the meat stays tender and moist, even the white meat, which is no small trick.

In 2016, the restaurant was recognized for serving the best fried chicken in Fort Worth, and that title still feels earned.

Plates come in different sizes, so a light eater and a very hungry eater can both walk away happy. A lunch plate usually lets diners pick a breast or two dark pieces.

Each plate also comes with two vegetables and a choice of cornbread or Texas toast.

Here is a handy tip. Dark meat fans get extra crispy edges and a richer flavor, while breast fans get a bigger, meatier piece.

Neither choice is wrong.

Some regulars like to add a splash of hot sauce to their chicken, and nobody here will judge that. The seasoning is balanced enough that the chicken tastes great plain, but it also plays well with a little heat.

Try one piece without anything first, just to taste what the kitchen intended.

Pair it with collard greens and mashed potatoes for the classic combo. That trio is about as close to a Southern comfort meal as it gets, and it rarely disappoints.

Sunlight, a Fountain, and Old School Tunes

Nobody expects a fountain in a soul food joint. Yet there it is inside Drew’s Place, quietly bubbling away under a skylight that pours natural light across the dining room.

The setup gives the space an outdoor patio feel, even though diners are sitting comfortably indoors. It is down to earth and unfussy, with simple tables and a relaxed mood that makes lingering over a plate feel natural.

Think of a friend’s sunny back porch, only with far better cooking.

Guests often mention the old school vibe and the music playing in the background. Classic soul tunes fit right in with the food, and they set a pace that feels slower and friendlier than a busy chain restaurant.

Conversations flow. Forks clink.

Somebody inevitably hums along.

The aroma adds its own layer. Home-cooked smells drift from the kitchen and fill the room, and many people say it reminds them of a mother’s or grandmother’s kitchen.

That smell alone could probably sell a few extra slices of pie.

For anyone who enjoys a quiet lunch, arriving right when the doors open is a smart move. The room is calmer, the light is lovely, and there is time to soak it all in before the lunch crowd rolls through.

Groups of coworkers and families often fill the tables later on. That buzz is fun too, though.

It turns the place into a lively little hub where everyone seems to be having a good day.

Plates Built for Big Appetites

Fried chicken may be the headliner, but the supporting cast deserves a standing ovation. The menu at Drew’s Place is packed with Southern classics that could easily steal the show on any other day.

Chicken fried steak is a huge favorite. The flour-based breading stays crisp, the steak stays tender, and the portions are generous enough to cause a serious afternoon nap.

Smothered pork chops come covered in rich gravy, while fried pork chops offer a crunchy outside with a juicy center.

Spicy catfish is another star. It arrives with hushpuppies, those golden little balls of fried cornmeal that are hard to stop eating.

There is also a catfish sandwich for anyone who wants something easier to hold.

One of the coolest things about the menu is the option to mix and match. Combo plates let diners pick two or even three meats on one lunch plate.

That means chicken and catfish, or steak and pork chops, all in one sitting.

Here is some practical advice. Indecisive eaters should absolutely go for a combo.

It solves the problem of staring at the menu for ten minutes and wishing for a second stomach.

A burger with the restaurant’s name on it also sits on the menu, and it tends to catch eyes as it passes by. Curious diners might save it for a second visit.

After all, a place this good practically guarantees a return trip, and it helps to have a plan ready.

Greens, Yams, and a Whole Lineup of Sides

Honestly, some people come for the vegetables. At Drew’s Place, the side dishes are not an afterthought, and a few of them have loyal fans who might pick them over the meat.

Collard greens lead the pack. They are tender, deeply flavored, and so popular that some diners order a whole pint to take home.

Cabbage, fried corn, and black-eyed peas also get plenty of love from regulars.

The full lineup reads like a Southern family reunion. There are candied yams, creamy mashed potatoes with a choice of brown or cream gravy, fried okra, green beans, velvety mac and cheese, and broccoli casserole.

Each one brings something different to the plate.

A fun detail stands out for many guests. The kitchen cooks its sides without pork or meat mixed in, which is great news for folks who avoid pork or want a lighter vegetable plate.

It also lets the vegetables taste like themselves.

The owners keep seasoning fairly balanced on purpose. They cook for customers of all ages, from kids to grandparents, so salt and spice stay middle of the road.

Salt, pepper, and hot sauce are there for anyone who wants to bump up the flavor.

A smart ordering move is to pick one creamy side and one green side. Mashed potatoes with gravy next to collards, for example, creates a nice balance.

Then grab a piece of cornbread to mop up whatever is left, because leaving gravy behind would be a small tragedy.

Save Room for Cobbler and Pie

Dessert is not optional here. Regulars repeat one piece of advice again and again, and it is simple: leave some space in the stomach before the sweets arrive.

Peach cobbler is a classic, full of soft fruit and a buttery crust. Ask for it with ice cream on top, and the warm and cold combo becomes pure joy on a spoon.

Sweet potato pie is the other famous pick, smooth and gently spiced like something straight out of a holiday kitchen.

The dessert case often holds more surprises. Italian cream cake gets high praise for being moist, loaded with pecans, and topped with cream cheese icing.

Pecan pie, carrot cake, and other cakes may also show up depending on the day.

Too full to finish? That is completely normal.

A slice of cake travels well, and it makes a pretty great afternoon snack back at the office or at home.

For a fun twist, keep an eye out for the frozen Kool-Aid slushies. The cherry version is a sweet, icy favorite that tastes a little like childhood summers.

It is especially welcome on a hot Texas day, which in Fort Worth is most of the year.

Here is a tip for groups. Order a few different desserts and share them around the table.

Everyone gets a taste, nobody has to choose just one, and the table gets to argue happily about which treat wins. Spoiler alert, the cobbler usually has strong supporters.

Plan Around the Lunch Hours

Timing matters a lot with this one. Drew’s Place is a lunch-only spot, and showing up at the wrong hour is a very sad way to learn that lesson.

The restaurant opens Tuesday through Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM. It stays closed on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Dining room service may wrap up a little before closing, while takeout orders can usually still be placed until 3.

Lunchtime can get crowded, especially around noon when nearby workers stream in. Arriving early is the easiest fix.

Getting there close to 11 means shorter waits, calmer seating, and first pick of the day’s desserts.

Fridays have a special energy. Many coworkers treat a meal here as a reward for surviving the week, and the room feels cheerful and full.

Some even call it their payday lunch, which sounds like an excellent tradition to borrow.

The staff is often small, so patience helps during rush hour. Friendly service is part of the charm, and the team works hard to keep plates moving with a smile.

A little grace goes a long way.

Before heading out, double check the hours online, since schedules can change for holidays or special events. The restaurant’s website is a good place to look.

One last piece of advice. Do not plan anything too active right after eating.

Between the fried chicken, the sides, and that slice of pie, a relaxed afternoon is pretty much guaranteed.

Taking the Comfort Home

Leftovers might be the secret best part of a visit. Plenty of people eat a full meal at Drew’s Place and then order a second one to go, which says everything about how good the food is.

The restaurant works great for takeout, whether it is a single plate for dinner or a big family meal for a crowd. Extra cornbread, pints of collard greens, and whole desserts are all popular add-ons.

Some folks walk out with bags that look ready for a small reunion.

Finding the place is easy. Drew’s Place Soulfood sits at 5701 Curzon Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76107, in the Como neighborhood on the city’s west side.

It is a short drive from many parts of Fort Worth, which makes a lunch stop or pickup run simple.

For reheating fried chicken, skip the microwave if possible. An oven or air fryer brings back that crispy crust much better.

Greens and yams warm up nicely on the stove with a lid on the pot.

Bringing food home also means sharing the experience with people who could not come along. A spread of chicken, sides, and pie on the kitchen table turns an ordinary weeknight into something special.

Kids and grandparents alike usually find a favorite.

In the end, comfort food is about more than flavor. It is about feeling cared for.

That feeling, packed into a takeout box, is exactly what Drew’s Place does best, and it travels surprisingly well.