Mouthwatering Soul Food in Houston

The Greasy Spoon

★★★★☆ 3.9 (323) • $$

"So glad we came here to eat! So good in fact we are taking our leftovers 6hrs back home to OKC. This place is located next to a gas station. There is a small area to dine in for about 15 ppl or so. It s cute decor. We were greeted enthusiastically when we walked through the door. The gentleman was polite as well as the cashier when we asked questions about how to order. There are items that are ready on the hot line. There are things that are cooked to order. You better have your butt in line by 6:53 so you can be sure to get your cooked to order in before 7pm! We made it by the skin of our teeth, by time we made it to the counter it was 7:01 but the gentleman said since we were in line by 7 we could still order. We all had to know what we wanted so he could quickly call it back to the cook before they shut the kitchen down. It must be pretty serious cuz a guy behind us was getting loud with the staff about them not letting him order cook to order all week for walking in at 7pm! I was like uh oh . I got Cajun fried chicken with Mac and cheese and yams. Mom got fried catfish and shrimp with greens. The meals came with cornbread. The chicken was fried hard like it should be and was crispy and delicious . I ordered 2 of these and requested all flats. The honored the request a best they could, so one plate was all flats, and the other was 2 flats and 3 drums , no big deal! The yams...bussin, the macaroni and cheese...bussin. The cornbread was soft and sweet. The shrimp was good! I didn't taste the greens or fried catfish;that was mom's order. I also ordered a jerk lamb chop al la cart. Since we got the right before they stopped with cook to order the grill was already off so I was refunded my $11 for that. We were given complementary dessert just because. We opted for peach cobbler and cheesecake. That cobbler was so freaking good! It had lots of crust like it like it, and it was just the right amount of sweet! The cheesecake was covered with strawberry topping. It was good. The cheesecake can stand alone with out the topping. Again the service and food was amazing. Definitely recommend."

Sha BéBé Cajun Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.9 (17)

"We have only ordered from this establishment once we heard about it on TV. We had the pasta with the green beans and the bread. I didn't really care the pasta alone but when I mixed it with the green beans that did the trick. My husband said he didn't think his entree was filling. We both felt it was a bit pricey. Well after all this I will order again just something different. Oh the building is nice and the location is good."

Southern Soul Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.2 (79)

"In the mood for some good catfish, tried to go to another restaurant, which was closed, and I'm glad it was because it made me look up another place which turned out to be delicious! The catfish was seasoned well and fried hard, just the way I like it! The okra and tomatoes are a must try...also very tasty and flavorful!Servicers were on point; very attentive, friendly, and awesome.This cute spot is high up on my regular rotation list. Yum!!"

Evelyn's Soul Food

★★★★★ 4.7 (31) • $$

"I hate to be the first four-star review but I have to be honest about my assessments and concerns. Getting to the point, the food is delicious. It was nice to get a home-away-from-home cooked meal. Evelyn was so kind to let us sample many of the options. They were all displayed like a buffet but you can only choose one main entree and two sides. You also get a side of cornbread with your meal. I was able to taste the smoked turkey, chicken and dumplings, corn and a bit more. My friends and I were hooked in. All of the menu offerings were written on the chalkboard but what compelled me to reduce the rating to four stars was due to the lack of signage for the pricing. I wish I had taken a photo so you could see what I mean. I made some assumptions, unfortunately. I assumed that every entree was priced the same. If it weren't, why wouldn't the pricing be posted? How would I know that the oxtails would be much more than the chicken and dumplings or the steak?? I didn't ask because I assumed no matter what I got, would be under $20. I only had so much cash on me. I was far from home and had left my debit card in my other purse and had no idea my bank wasn't anywhere close to this town. After she fixed our plate with generous portions, I had my $20 bill in hand ready to pay. She told us to go ahead and eat first. That may have been smart because after we had dug in and was nice and full, it was too late to change our minds after learning the cost of the bill.A nice lady on staff asked us what we wanted to drink, I said water. It's my usual. I prefer to eat my calories than drink them. Again, I assumed she was going to bring us a cup with water in it but instead she brought us each a bottled water. I was so immersed in my meal that I didn't speak up and say, "Oh no thank you. I thought you were going to bring cups of water." I just let it go. When it was time to pay, I was shocked when she said that my bill was $27.01. To my horror, I only had $26 and a penny in my purse. If my friend hadn't been there to give me a dollar, I would have been jacked! It was so embarrassing. I usually pay with a card so that never happens. My friends' steak and chicken and dumplings also with the bottled waters didn't cost as much as mine. Had I known the oxtails were going to end up being $27, I would have made a lessor choice. I've only ordered oxtails from Jamaican/Caribbean restaurants and never paid that much. I just paused to look up the menu of a Caribbean restaurant in California and even post pandemic the price is $16.95 for an ox tails plate.Why did she ask us what hotel we were staying at before she rung us up? It made me wonder if the locals paid a different price. Why didn't i remember to ask for a receipt?? I usually do but forgot this time. I must have still been shook.I was sad that all my cash on hand was gone that I couldn't even leave a tip for their wonderful service. Now that I live in Texas, I need to work on my Texan accent. Maybe that would have helped. Not making assumptions definitely would have helped me out too. Oh well. You live and learn.I bless them and this business and pray they continue to prosper."

Ms Betty's Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.9 (34) • $$

"Looks like a small corner store but the food was really good. One of the best burger && fries I've ever had && the prices are really good... the service however was not up to par.... The guy taking orders was nice && friendly but the woman/owner had a very rude personality.... It was 8 of us but half declined to order because of the owners bad attitude."

Soul Food Fetish

★★★★☆ 4 (7)

"Customer Service superb and food was even better. Smoked oxtail were the best I've ever tasted, collard green seasoned to the T and yams"

Bishop's Southern Cuisine

★★★★☆ 3.7 (10)

"Bishop's is a new place in the neighborhood and they put a flyer on my car in the Kroger parking lot so I thought I'd stop by on my way home. I got the oxtails and lima beans with their pineapple lemonade. The oxtails were small but very tender and served with white rice. The sauce was a little thick. The lima beans were very tender with great flavor but a little salty. The service was very friendly and welcoming. The restaurant itself was very flat and could use a Womens touch since it lacked personality however they haven't been open that long so maybe that will come with time. They're off to a good start and I look forward to trying something different."

Homestyle Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (9) • $

"Wonderful customer service. I ordered delivery through seamless, bonus for the delivery. I wasn't feeling great and was mostly looking forward to the two cans of ginger ale. When I got a call saying all that was available was 7up I was disappointed, but hey, it happens. No biggie. When my food arrived earlier than expected I was greeted at my door with a two liter of ginger ale and could have burst into tears I was so grateful. Yall have a loyal customer now. Thank you so much for going above and beyond!! The BBQ chicken basket is amazing! Roomie loves the fries and the bread is grilled. Everything was still very hot when it got here. Fast, delicious, and great service. Can't ask for anything better than that. I'll be ordering again soon!"

The Shack

★★★★☆ 3.7 (52)

"I'm not sure who made the boudin with brisket like concoction but they were a genius. Smoked Boudain with an actual Smokey oaky taste. With cheese, brisket and sour cream (optional). Different taste, try it. Breakfast is served here as well. They've upped their bbq game and added other things to the menu such as burgers, nachos and breakfast. Pros: This new Boudain brisket delicacy of deliciousness Black owned business Natural cut French fries BBQ Other food options They Cater Rentable outside event space Large parking lotCons: May be an extra 10min wait of you call during peak times Not for people who like bland food"

Aunt Bill’s Soul Food Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (251) • $$

"I had Been watching for their opening for a while now. Finally I saw a few reviews that they were open so I decided to go over for lunch during the week.When I arrived I was immediately seated and giving them menu. There are only a few items on the menu not a large variety so I decided to try the smothered pork chops. They came over a bed of rice I also ordered succotash and candy yams and it came with cornbread. The chops were falling off the bone tender never have I had smother pork chops that were this tender. All of the food was prepared to my liking there were no issues with any thing on the menu that I had. I'll plan on revisiting next week for lunch perhaps to try out the oxtails and the bread pudding for dessert"

B. Yvonne’s Southern Eatery

★★★★★ 5 (4)

"From Katy to Stafford to try out a newer spot. We were trying to figure out where to go but everyone opened at 4 that we were interested in going to and we needed a early lunch. Then we came across B Yvonnes in Stafford. It's located in a shopping strip and had plenty parking at this time. The have a inside area and patio. We were greeted by Tae. It was her 2nd day, but you couldn't tell. She was awesome. Chef Ron himself took our order and thoroughly explained the food options. He even gave samples of the Kool aid of the day which was awesome. So we had the catfish opelesues with shrimp...the catfish and shrimp basket..and these amazing eggrolls with turkey, Mac, and greens on the inside. All of the food was great, but the customer service took it over the top! Oh almost forgot about the peach cobbler...it was on point....ALL THE CRUST. So if in the area.. give them a try!!!"

Miami Spice

★★★★★ 4.6 (43)

"Called my order in 15 minutes before closing - everything fresh and full of flavor. Also, the individual who answers the phone was super polite!"

ReMo's Cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (87)

"food is delicious. service is friendly. tastes authentic. would highly recommend the fried chicken plate."

Frank And Richards

★★★★★ 4.7 (19)

"Food & service is great! The owner is very accommodating with allowing modifications when ordering. I've been a few times and the food has always been consistent. Definitely recommend!"

The Greasy Spoon Soulfood Bistro

★★★★☆ 3.6 (177) • $$

"Today I decided to have an early dinner with my mother and youngest daughter. We all have a varied food choice. The Greasy Spoon has a nice variety of souls food menu. The atmosphere is lovely, they play music, have faux wall fire place and the staff are awesome. We will return!"

O’Taste & See Eatery

★★★★★ 4.5 (46) • $$

"This cajun/soul food restaurant restaurant has been opened for about 6 weeks now and is located in a very large strip center on the Hwy. 290 frontage road with plenty of parking available in front. Inside, it's a counter service eatery with a nice upscale decor and vibe going with old handwritten recipes displayed on the walls and enjoyable music playing in the background. It has daily lunch specials and serves brunch on the weekend.My first visit was for soulful food and I ordered the smothered pork chops with side dishes of mashed potatoes and fried okra for $17. I added to that their mango peach ice tea and they also offer bottled Pepsi soft drinks. The food was ready in about 10 minutes and served in a styrofoam container with plastic utensils. The chops (2) were covered with gravy and onions on a bed of rice and more of the same gravy and with the sides represented a lot of food. I could see I wasn't going home hungry! The chops were big and tasty along with both sides. It was a good meal but honestly I wasn't a fan of the light brown gravy. To me, taste wise it lacked and I wanted to like it. Perhaps it's just me and you will differ. Also that peach mango tea was too sweet for my taste and had a thicker consistency than regular brewed tea that I didn't like. I gave this meal a 3 score all things considered Including the drink.My next visit was to try the shrimp sandwich with seasoned fries for $14. This time they had brewed unsweetened ice tea thank goodness. About 10 minutes later the food arrived. The sandwich sat on square toasted sandwich bread with 7-8 large fried shrimp along with the lettuce, tomato, pickles and a tasty sauce. I was impressed with the size and taste of this sandwich. It was very good and had plenty of shrimp to eat. I would call it a massive sandwich. Also the seasoned fries were very good to eat too. When I think of a shrimp sandwich, I will probably be thinking of this one (5).The staff here is friendly and I will return."

Nevaeh's Plate

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (16)

"Service was fast, menu was highly appealing. Food was delicious, nothing more to say. Will definitely be ordering again in the future to support this business."

Granny Dee's Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.2 (118)

"Granny Dees kitchen is an outstanding soul food restaurant, a short distance from old town Spring. It's not very large, but the minute you walk through the doors the smells reassure you that you've made a wise decision. Most restaurants, even the best of restaurants do some dishes well and maybe lacking a few others. However, after ordering two meals for my wife and myself, and then ordering another meal to go, I didn't fine a single entrée or side dish that I didn't think was outstanding. The prices are reasonable there's seating available and of course takeout."

Love’s Cajun Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.2 (30)

Frenchy's Chicken

★★★☆☆ 3 (23)

"This was the nicest Frenchy's I've ever been to and is was soooo clean. Customer service was top notch and I even was able to call my order in in advance. Next time I'm in Katy, I'll definitely come back!"

Just Oxtails Soul Food

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (177) • $$

"This is one of my favorite soul food spots in Houston. The food rarely disappoints (I only get disappointed by them 5% of the time). I say this because sometimes the meat isn't always tender or maybe the sides aren't as good as they usually make it. The workers are fast and friendly, but the owner seems to be passive. The establishment has it's off days, but all and all it's pretty damn good.The last time I visited, I got Oxtails, Mac & Cheese, Cabbage, and Yams. Everything was deliciously on point. The meat was very tender. The mac & cheese was rich. The cabbage had just enough salt. And the yams (my favorite) was so sweet. I love coming here, but there's room for improvement as far as consistency."

Fargo's Pit BBQ

★★★★☆ 4.3 (371) • $$

"First time in Bryan, Texas as an adult here to visit my dad's side of the Family and go to the Texas A&M game against Auburn. It was Friday around 5pm and we were starving and wanted the best BBQ. So went on Yelp, and they said this is the spot. I like that the spot is Black owned, so we were all excited to try it out. When we walked in, we were the only ones in there at 8 people. But soon after more people came so we definitely beat the rush. The ambiance is pretty chill, they have a tv but wasn't really loud at all. The Pit master Co-owner Alan welcomed us and was super nice. Asked where we were from, took our order, recommended dishes, and gave us our own mix of lemonade and sweet tea to start which was so good. We order the family special which feeds 5-7 people for $100 including 1lb pork ribs, 1lb sausage, 1lb brisket, a whole chicken chicken and two sides. We got the mac n cheese and greens. We thought we would probably want more food so we ordered extra mac and cheese, potato salad, 1lb brisket, and 1lb ribs. They also gave us an entire loaf of white bread. So my absolute faves were the greens, I wish I got more! They were sooo good! Then I liked the ribs, then the brisket. The sausage was a little too hard for me, I like more juicy. Mac was too mushy, potatoes ok, and chicken was dry to me, but my brother's piece looked juicy and he liked it so I think I just got a dry wing. All in all I would definitely come back and I highly recommend. We left with leftovers and had a great time eating this delicious food with the great staff. Thank you guys for welcoming us into your town, I will be back!"

Simps

★★★★☆ 4 (56)

"It is time for a larger building. This place is crowded, again. As a matter of fact, every time I come it is crowded. I witnessed 6 customer turn away, because of the long line. The first young lady, server you encounter needs a lot of customer service training...So I noticed on the last few trips in, the side portions are smaller. I typically order oxtails, but today they did not taste their best and way too much fat left on the meat."

Big Mammas Home Cooking

★★★★☆ 3.6 (67)

"I ordered the fried chicken wings and they were fried to crispy perfection. I'm sorry I didn't give this place a chance earlier. I have ordered delivery and have eaten in as well, the fried chicken was delish on both occasions. This spot is very roomy and nicely furnished, etc. If you haven't guessed it by my comments, this place is definitely on my regular rotation list. I want to try other items, but it'll be very difficult to not get that yummy fried chicken!"

Frenchy’s Chicken

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (165) • $$

"I'm in Houston and I had to try the popular Frenchy's Chicken! It is all what I heard about! And Beyoncé bragged about it highly in her recent renaissance film, so I had to try it. The food is so delicious made fresh and fried to perfection. Just very good! It's good to try other fried chicken and how they are prepared. This place has a variety of fried foods like shrimp, chicken, and fish. The service is good and they will tell you what's good and what to order from the menu. They are pleasant and patient while ordering. They call your name and order number when you order is ready. I recommend the chicken for sure and to try the shrimp and fish. I may have to go back before I leave to try it! The chicken was that good! And the prices were reasonable for combos. It's very nice inside and updated. It's plenty of seating outside and indoor. Very spacious and clean. The downside however, is that they do not give out hot sauce, only peppers , which will increase the spicy level. The greens were bland but cooked well just needed salt or hot sauce added to it :)Overall, it's a lot of parking in the lot and gets very busy with long lines. I recommend here and will come back again. The food pleased me, no complaints! I see why this is a popular gem in Houston since 1969. -Marshay D."

The Breakfast Klub

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (228)

"Whaaatt? Breakfast Klub in the airport? Makes me want to fly more. And I don't gotta pay those pesky midtown street parking fees. BLT was expensive but stacked with bacon. And the wings were crispy and delicious. Was almost late for my flight enjoying breakfast which I usually skip but not today!"

Creole Flava

★★★★★ 4.7 (6) • $$

"Great food . I had the Fried Catfish and Greens and sweet tea !!!They were very nice and helpful"

Comfort Foodies

★★★★☆ 4.2 (65) • $$

"The food is always flavorful and delicious. Great, fast service and the restaurant is always clean. I always order online and it's ready quickly. I LOVE that they pack the sides separately so the juices don't mix."

Kulture

★★★★☆ 4.1 (432) • $$

"Run, don't walk to Kulture and get yourself a good meal and drink!! Love that my friend chose for us to have dinner here because it was a great experience. We had a reservation at 7pm on a Wednesday and when we got there, we were greeted warmly by the host and seated by the large windows facing the street. The menu isn't robust, but I liked that because it shows me that they are good at the things they did have on the menu. I went with the fried snapper and he got the gumbo. Our food was ready in about 10-12 minutes and it was delicious!!The best part of the experience was the customer service. Our waitress was delightful, the host was great and I even witnessed them go over and beyond to help another patron find the parking garage. P.S: They also valet so park in the garage and have them stamp your parking ticket! This is helpful because parking dwtn sucks!"

Mama's Oven

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (245)

"Much like the restaurant's name states.... the food here tastes just like someone's mom made it. It's made with care and love and just hugs your heart like YOUR mom made it JUST for YOU. They have my FAVORITE oxtails in the city! The prices haven't inflated over time and the food portions will fill you up and give you enough leftovers for later.I try to go at least once a month and make sure to tip properly because it's a small and humble establishment but it has stood the test of time and I appreciate them."

SoulGood Food Truck

★★★★☆ 3.7 (85) • $$

"Did not disappoint AT ALL! I've visited this food truck park a couple times considering it's conveniently located from my place of residence. It's an okay park. Due to COVID (I assume)...there's no where to actually sit and enjoy your meal, so everything is purchase and leave. I had been planning to visit SoulGood for a while and I finally got to them during their business hours. Everything on my plate was delicious. From the fried lobster and catfish to the mac and cheese and fried okra. Nothing was over seasoned or under seasoned. Served hot and fresh too! I will definitely return for more!"

The BBQ Depot

★★★★☆ 4.2 (26)

"Hours are limited - 11a-3p on Wednesday - Saturday so plan ahead because it's worth it. Fantastic BBQ! We got the brisket, ribs, and sausage and all of it was perfect but our favorite is the brisket! Super low prices too- large portion of meat plus potato salad, beans, bread, and drink for $10! Sides are fantastic too. The woman who waited on us was so friendly -like visiting family. Patio area is clean and cutely decorated to dine in. Oh- there was a lady on the patio selling desserts. We got the chocolate cake/brownie thing- it was the best dessert I've had in a long time! Do not skip the dessert! We will be back- often!"

3 Sistas Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.8 (33) • $$

"When I lived in Huntsville there were a very few places to go for a good smothered pork chop and before I left Huntsville, a smothered pork chop was nowhere to found but I was in Huntsville last weekend for an event and met Henry and Shay and little did I know that I would be sitting in their restaurant for a lite afternoon snack that was beyond measure.I chose the smothered pork chops, cabbage, and black eyed peas. The 3 Sistas are good reason for me to increase my visit to Huntsville not only because I enjoyed my meal immensely today but I also eyeballed some items on the menu like the oxtails, Shay's lasagna, and the fried fish and shrimp. Y'all are gonna see me sooner that you think."

Burnt Bark BBQ

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"Amazing moist brisket. Great sides too my little loves the baked beans Such great smoked flavor. I asked for moist brisket and they delivered. Great food and even better personality. You can't beat amazing food and amazing people."

Houston's This Is It Soul Food

★★★★☆ 4 (65)

"I went twice to be sure! My first visit was on an Easter Sunday & my second visit was on 2 Sundays later. It's a great after church service spot to me. I've never been a fan of cafeteria style food but I highly accept this restaurant. The 2 times I've been, everything looked clean and fresh. I remember during Easter that it was a long line but I constantly saw fresh pans of food being brought to the food line. I saw servers in hair nets and gloves which I wholeheartedly appreciated. They have meal specials throughout the week and events as well. I can admit that I didn't enjoy the food at their original/first location on the Southside. But this location has redeemed the business. You seat yourself, and the staff, like Ontario, speaks to you and makes sure everyone is good. You can tell the onboarding and training was on point. Both times I got their Mac & cheese, collard greens, yams and red koolaid. My first visit I did get the fried catfish and that was good and crispy. This time I wanted more sides so I opted for the 4 veggie plate and tried their tomato & okra. I never had it before and it looked good, but it was ok. I don't have to have it again. I probably should have tried it with their rice vs alone. Each plate comes with 1 meat, 2 sides, rice & cornbread. Both times I opted out of the rice. For a veggie plate you can choose 3 or 4 veggies. The mac is nice and cheesy. I get full off of that quickly. The collard greens seem like canned greens with no meat. Im ok with it thanks to the sweet cornbread but im looking to try the cabbage next time. The yams are delicious and I believe are homemade. It's a good meal for a good price and portion. They have plenty of meat options to choose from. It definitely gets the job done for me."