15 Texas Soul Food Joints Texans Swear Rival Grandma’s Cooking
Texas is home to some of the most incredible soul food restaurants that make your taste buds dance with joy.
From crispy fried chicken to creamy mac and cheese, these spots serve up dishes so delicious they’ll have you questioning whether grandma’s recipes are really the best.
Each restaurant on this list has earned its reputation through years of perfecting recipes and serving up love on every plate.
Get ready to discover the soul food joints that have Texans lining up for seconds and thirds.
1. Mikki’s Soulfood Cafe
Walking into this gem feels like stepping into your favorite aunt’s kitchen on Sunday afternoon.
The aroma of slow-cooked greens and perfectly seasoned meats fills the air, making it impossible to resist ordering everything on the menu.
Located at 9603 Broadway St in Pearland, this spot has become legendary for its smothered pork chops that practically fall apart with a gentle fork touch.
The cornbread comes out warm and buttery, while the sweet potato pie has converted many skeptics into believers.
2. This Is It Soul Food
The name says it all—once you taste the food here, you’ll understand why locals refuse to eat anywhere else.
Every dish arrives at your table looking like a work of art, but tasting even better than it looks.
Nestled at 9441 FM 1960 Bypass Rd W Ste 700 in Humble, this restaurant specializes in oxtails so tender they melt on your tongue.
The mac and cheese is dangerously addictive, with a golden crust that crackles perfectly.
3. Taste Kitchen + Bar
Soul food gets a sophisticated makeover without losing any of its comforting essence at this downtown hotspot.
The chefs here understand that tradition and innovation can hold hands beautifully on the same plate.
You’ll find this culinary treasure at 420 Main St in Houston, where the shrimp and grits redefine what comfort food can be.
The fried catfish arrives crispy on the outside while remaining impossibly moist inside, paired with a remoulade that adds the perfect zing.
4. Kulture
Flavor explosions happen with every bite at this restaurant that celebrates African American culinary heritage with pride.
The menu reads like a love letter to Southern cooking traditions, with each dish telling its own delicious story.
Situated at 701 Avenida De Las Americas Ste A in Houston, the jerk chicken here packs serious heat balanced by sweet undertones.
Their candied yams achieve that perfect balance between sugary sweetness and natural potato flavor that grandmothers everywhere would approve of wholeheartedly.
5. Jordyn’s Soul Cafe
Small but mighty, this cafe proves that great soul food doesn’t need fancy frills or massive portions to satisfy.
What matters most is the love and attention poured into every recipe, and that’s something this place has in abundance.
Find it at 4319 Montrose Blvd in Houston, where the smothered chicken rivals anything your meemaw ever made.
The black-eyed peas come seasoned to perfection, while the cornbread dressing could make a vegetarian reconsider their life choices.
6. Kendall Karsen’s Upscale Soul Food
Fancy doesn’t mean fake when soul food gets the upscale treatment at this Dallas establishment.
The white tablecloths and elegant presentation never overshadow the authentic flavors that make Southern cooking so beloved across generations.
Located at 3939 S Polk St Ste 305 in Dallas, their lobster mac and cheese represents comfort food meeting luxury in perfect harmony.
The short ribs fall off the bone like butter, braised in a sauce that begs to be sopped up with homemade biscuits.
7. Sweet Georgia Brown Homecooking
Nostalgia comes served on every plate at this restaurant named after the classic jazz tune.
The recipes here have been passed down through generations, with each chef adding their own special touch while respecting the foundations laid before them.
You’ll discover this gem at 2840 E Ledbetter Dr in Dallas, where the fried chicken achieves that impossible combination of extra crispy skin and juicy meat.
Their green beans cook low and slow with ham hocks, creating a side dish worthy of being the main attraction.
8. Soul Shack Southern Kitchen & Bar
Rustic charm meets serious flavor at this spot where the portions are generous and the hospitality even more so.
The exposed brick walls and wooden tables create the perfect backdrop for meals that stick to your ribs in the best possible way.
Nestled at 305 W FM 1382 Ste 502 in Cedar Hill, the meatloaf here tastes like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house.
The mashed potatoes come whipped to creamy perfection, while the gravy deserves its own fan club for the magic it performs on everything it touches.
9. Roots Southern Table
Farm-fresh ingredients meet time-honored recipes at this restaurant that honors its agricultural roots with every dish.
The menu changes seasonally, but the commitment to authentic Southern flavors remains constant throughout the year.
Discover this culinary destination at 13050 Bee St in Farmers Branch, where the fried green tomatoes arrive golden and tangy.
Their chicken fried steak covers the entire plate, smothered in pepper gravy that could make a grown person weep with joy.
10. Whip My Soul
Creative twists on classic soul food keep customers coming back to see what surprising combination arrives next.
The chefs here aren’t afraid to experiment, but they always keep one foot firmly planted in tradition to maintain that authentic soul food spirit.
Located at 11416 N FM 620 Rd in Austin, the wings come tossed in flavors ranging from traditional hot sauce to unexpected Korean barbecue glaze.
Their loaded soul bowls let you customize your perfect combination of proteins, sides, and sauces.
11. Whole Lotta Soul
The name perfectly describes both the food and the atmosphere at this Austin favorite.
Music fills the air while plates piled high with deliciousness make their way to tables filled with smiling, hungry customers ready to dig in.
Find this treasure at 3400 Comsouth Dr in Austin, where the smothered turkey wings practically fall apart before your fork even touches them.
The potato salad strikes that perfect balance between creamy and tangy that seems impossible to replicate at home.
12. Hoover’s Cooking
An Austin institution for decades, this restaurant has fed generations of families seeking authentic soul food done right.
The walls practically vibrate with stories of celebrations, comfort meals, and first dates that turned into lasting relationships over shared plates.
Situated at 2002 Manor Rd in Austin, the meatloaf arrives with a tangy glaze that sets it apart from ordinary versions.
Their jalapeno cheese grits add a Texas twist to the Southern classic, creating a side dish that often steals the spotlight.
13. Tony G’s Soul Food
Family recipes and generous portions define this San Antonio staple where everyone gets treated like a regular.
The kitchen operates with the kind of efficiency that only comes from years of practice, yet every dish still tastes made-to-order fresh.
You’ll find it at 915 S Hackberry St in San Antonio, where the smothered pork chops swim in onion gravy that deserves to be bottled and sold.
The cabbage cooks down tender without turning mushy, seasoned with just enough smokiness to keep things interesting.
14. Mamma Lou’s Soul Food Kitchen
Maternal warmth radiates from every corner of this restaurant where the name perfectly captures the nurturing spirit behind the food.
The recipes come straight from Mamma Lou herself, tested and perfected through countless family gatherings before making it to the menu.
Located at 4941 Walzem Rd in Windcrest, the fried catfish arrives seasoned with a secret spice blend that keeps people guessing.
Their turnip greens cook with ham hocks until they reach that perfect tender consistency that only patience can achieve.
15. Mrs. Kitchen Soul Food Restaurant & Bakery
The bakery side of this establishment could easily stand alone, but paired with incredible soul food, it becomes downright dangerous for waistlines.
Fresh bread and desserts emerge from the ovens throughout the day, filling the dining room with irresistible aromas.
Discover this dual threat at 2351 E Commerce St Ste 105 in San Antonio, where the oxtails braise until they achieve melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
Their yeast rolls come out hot and fluffy, perfect for soaking up every last drop of gravy on your plate.