People Leave Dallas Behind Just To Find These Hidden Texas Soul Food Icons
Dallas has its share of great food, but sometimes the best soul food requires a little road trip.
Texans know that authentic comfort cooking often hides in unexpected places, from tiny cafes in small towns to family-run joints in neighboring cities.
I’ve chased down some of the most incredible soul food spots across Texas, and trust me, every mile is worth it when you taste what these hidden gems serve up.
Sweet Georgia Brown – Dallas, TX
Right in Dallas, Sweet Georgia Brown proves you don’t always have to leave town to find greatness. This spot serves up classic soul food that keeps locals coming back week after week. Their fried chicken has a crispy coating that shatters with each bite, while the mac and cheese is creamy enough to make you forget your diet completely.
I stumbled upon this place during a lunch break and ended up staying for dessert. The collard greens have just the right amount of smokiness, and the cornbread comes out hot and buttery. Their peach cobbler is legendary, with a golden crust that pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream.
The staff treats everyone like family, remembering your name after just one visit. Sweet Georgia Brown has that authentic vibe that makes soul food taste even better.
This Is It Soul Food – Houston, TX
Houston’s This Is It Soul Food has been feeding hungry Texans since the 1950s, and they’ve perfected their recipes over decades. The name says it all—once you taste their food, you’ll know this really is it. Their smothered pork chops are fork-tender and swimming in rich gravy that begs for a side of rice.
Last time I visited, the line stretched out the door, but nobody complained. Everyone knows good soul food is worth the wait. The yams are candied to perfection, sweet without being cloying, and the fried catfish has a cornmeal crust that’s impossibly crunchy.
What sets this place apart is consistency—every dish tastes exactly as amazing as the last time. The portions are generous enough to share, though you probably won’t want to.
Mikki’s Soulfood Café – Houston, TX
Mikki’s Soulfood Café feels like eating at your grandmother’s house, assuming your grandmother was an incredible cook. Located in Houston, this cozy spot specializes in home-cooked meals that warm your soul as much as your stomach. The oxtails here are braised until they fall off the bone, served in a sauce so good you’ll want to drink it.
I ordered the smothered chicken on my first visit and couldn’t stop raving about it. The meat stays juicy under a blanket of onion gravy that’s seasoned to perfection. Their black-eyed peas have that slow-cooked flavor that can’t be rushed, and the potato salad is creamy with just a hint of tang.
Mikki’s proves that soul food doesn’t need fancy presentation—just honest cooking and quality ingredients.
Drew’s Place Soulfood – Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth’s Drew’s Place Soulfood has mastered the art of making strangers feel like regulars. This family-owned establishment cooks everything fresh daily, and you can taste the difference in every bite. Their fried chicken wings are seasoned with a secret blend that keeps people guessing and coming back for more.
The first time I walked in, the aroma of slow-cooked greens and cornbread hit me immediately. I ordered the meatloaf special and wasn’t disappointed—it’s moist, flavorful, and topped with a tangy tomato glaze. The cabbage has that perfect tender texture with bits of smoked meat mixed throughout.
Drew’s doesn’t try to be trendy or modern. They stick to traditional recipes that have fed families for generations, and that authenticity shines through.
Soul Shack – Cedar Hill (Dallas Area), TX
Just outside Dallas in Cedar Hill, Soul Shack serves up no-nonsense comfort food in a relaxed setting. The casual vibe makes it perfect for a weekend lunch when you’re craving something real and satisfying. Their ribs are smoky, tender, and slathered in a sauce that balances sweet and spicy perfectly.
I brought my cousin here last month, and he declared their fried okra the best he’d ever tasted. The exterior is crispy without being greasy, and the okra inside stays tender. Their red beans and rice have that stick-to-your-ribs quality that defines soul food, cooked with ham hocks for maximum flavor.
Soul Shack doesn’t pretend to be anything but what it is—a place where good people serve great food at reasonable prices.
Esther’s Cajun Café & Soul Food – Houston, TX
Esther’s Cajun Café & Soul Food brings Louisiana flavors to Houston with dishes that pack serious punch. This spot blends Cajun spice with soul food tradition, creating something uniquely delicious. Their gumbo is thick, dark, and loaded with shrimp, sausage, and crab meat that makes every spoonful an adventure.
When I ordered the étouffée, I knew I’d found something special. The crawfish swim in a rich, rusty-brown sauce served over fluffy white rice that soaks up every drop. The fried catfish comes with a Cajun seasoning that tingles your taste buds without overwhelming them.
Esther’s manages to honor both Cajun and soul food traditions without compromising either one. The result is a menu that offers the best of both worlds.
Evelyn’s Soulfood – Wharton, TX
Way down in Wharton, Evelyn’s Soulfood proves that the best cooking often happens in the smallest towns. This hidden gem serves authentic soul food that tastes like it came straight from a family reunion. Their chicken and dumplings are thick, creamy, and loaded with tender chunks of chicken that melt in your mouth.
I drove over an hour to try Evelyn’s after hearing rumors about their Sunday dinners. The fried pork chops exceeded every expectation—crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and seasoned so well they don’t even need gravy. The turnip greens have that perfect pot liquor that’s worth sipping with a spoon.
Evelyn’s reminds you that soul food isn’t about location or popularity—it’s about love, tradition, and cooking that feeds more than just your stomach.
Stormie Monday’s Soul Food Grill – Fort Worth, TX
Stormie Monday’s Soul Food Grill in Fort Worth brings energy and flavor to every plate. Named after the classic blues song, this spot has rhythm in its cooking and soul in its seasoning. Their barbecue chicken is grilled to perfection with char marks that add smoky depth to already flavorful meat.
I visited on a Friday night and found the place buzzing with conversation and laughter. The baked macaroni and cheese has a golden-brown top layer that gives way to creamy, cheesy goodness underneath. Their pecan pie is dense, sweet, and nutty—the perfect ending to a hearty meal.
Stormie Monday’s understands that soul food is about community as much as cuisine. The atmosphere makes you want to linger long after your plate is empty.