9 Texas Soul Food Spots Serving Up Sunday Dinner Flavors All Week Long
Growing up in East Texas, Sunday dinners at my grandmother’s house were sacred events where love was served on every plate.
The aroma of fried chicken, collard greens, and mac and cheese would fill the house, drawing everyone to the table.
Thankfully, these days you don’t have to wait for Sunday to enjoy those comforting flavors.
Across the Lone Star State, these soul food spots are dishing up grandma-worthy meals any day of the week.
1. Sweet Georgia Brown (Dallas)
Walking into Sweet Georgia Brown feels like stumbling into a family reunion where everyone’s happy to see you. The restaurant’s buffet-style service immediately transported me back to holiday gatherings where every inch of table space was covered with steaming dishes.
Their smothered pork chops literally melt in your mouth, paired perfectly with yams so sweet they could pass for dessert. Don’t even get me started on the cornbread – crispy edges, soft center, and just the right amount of sweetness.
What really sets this place apart is how the staff treats you like long-lost family. Last time I visited, Miss Brown herself came out to make sure I had enough gravy on my potatoes. That’s the kind of touch you can’t fake.
2. South Dallas Café (Dallas)
Heaven exists on a plate at South Dallas Café. I nearly wept when I first tasted their oxtails – so tender they practically fall off the bone with just a gentle nudge from your fork. The meat bathes in a rich gravy that demands to be sopped up with their fluffy homemade rolls.
The café occupies an unassuming corner building, but locals know to arrive early because the line often stretches out the door. Their mac and cheese should be illegal – five cheeses blended into a creamy masterpiece that puts all others to shame.
Fun fact: they still use recipes passed down from the owner’s great-grandmother who cooked for one of Dallas’s founding families. That historical connection comes through in every bite of their perfectly seasoned greens.
3. Street’s Fine Chicken (Dallas)
“Lord have mercy!” That’s what escaped my lips when I bit into Street’s signature fried chicken. The crust shatters with a satisfying crunch before revealing juicy meat that’s been brined in a secret spice blend for 24 hours. Unlike other places that focus solely on tradition, Street’s brings a contemporary twist to soul food classics.
Their Sin Chicken packs a sweet heat that builds gradually, cooled perfectly by their buttermilk biscuits. The restaurant itself blends modern design with homey touches – mason jar lighting fixtures hang above polished wood tables.
My insider tip: order the collard greens even if you think you don’t like them. They’re cooked with smoked turkey instead of pork, creating a lighter flavor that converted even my greens-hating cousin.
4. Mikki’s Soulfood Café (Houston/Pearland)
Mikki’s feels like someone’s grandma decided to open her kitchen to the public. My first visit happened by accident during a rainstorm, and I’ve been deliberately getting caught in that neighborhood ever since. The oxtail and rice special had me scraping the plate clean and contemplating licking it (I restrained myself, barely).
Their turkey wings fall into the category of “food that ruins you for all other versions.” Tender, smoky, and smothered in gravy that I’m convinced contains magical properties. The sides rotate daily, but if the candied yams are available, consider it your lucky day.
What I love most is watching multi-generational families gathered around tables, passing plates and sharing stories – exactly what soul food is meant to inspire.
5. Esther’s Cajun Café & Soul Food (Houston)
Esther’s changed my understanding of what catfish could be. Their fillets are so perfectly seasoned and fried that I’ve abandoned all other seafood options when I visit. The cornmeal coating creates a golden crust that’s light yet substantial, complementing the delicate fish without overpowering it.
The real showstopper, though, is their oxtail dinner. Served over rice with a ladle of rich gravy, it’s the kind of meal that demands silence while eating – you’ll want to focus on every bite. Their sides aren’t afterthoughts either; the cabbage is slow-cooked with smoked turkey and a hint of vinegar.
“You need some dessert, baby?” The servers always ask this question knowing full well their peach cobbler is impossible to refuse, especially when it arrives warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top.
6. This Is It Soul Food (Houston)
The moment you step through the door at This Is It, you’re hit with aromas that immediately trigger hunger pangs. I’ve driven across Houston in rush hour traffic just for their smothered turkey legs – fall-off-the-bone tender and swimming in a gravy I’d happily drink by the cupful.
Operating since 1959, this Houston institution has served everyone from local families to visiting celebrities. Their cafeteria-style service means you can feast with your eyes before committing, though I always end up with more food than planned. The mustard greens have a perfect peppery kick that cuts through richer dishes.
My grandmother would approve of their hot water cornbread – crispy outside, steamy inside, and the perfect tool for sopping up every last bit of pot liquor from those greens. No fancy frills here, just honest cooking that feeds your soul.
7. Granny Dee’s Kitchen (Spring)
“You ain’t leaving hungry!” That’s the unofficial motto at Granny Dee’s, where portion sizes border on ridiculous. My plate of smothered chicken nearly collapsed the table when it arrived, flanked by sides that could feed a small family. The chicken was so tender I could cut it with a plastic fork, swimming in a peppery cream gravy that haunts my dreams.
Located in a converted house in Spring, the restaurant feels like you’re dining in someone’s home. Photos of family members line the walls, and if you’re lucky, Granny Dee herself might shuffle out from the kitchen to make sure you’re enjoying everything.
Their banana pudding deserves special mention – made fresh daily with real vanilla wafers that somehow maintain their crunch despite swimming in creamy custard. I’ve witnessed grown men fight over the last serving.
8. Lucille’s (Houston)
Lucille’s offers soul food with a sophisticated twist that would make my food-snob cousin and my traditional grandmother equally happy. Named after the owner’s great-grandmother, the restaurant honors her legacy while pushing boundaries in delightful ways.
Their shrimp and grits elevated my expectations for the dish forever. Gulf shrimp rest atop creamy grits infused with smoked gouda, surrounded by a moat of chili-butter sauce that I shamelessly sopped up with their rosemary biscuits. The historic bungalow setting in Houston’s Museum District adds to the charm.
What impressed me most was how they maintain soul food’s heart while introducing unexpected elements. Their collard greens might come with a splash of aged sherry vinegar, and the mac and cheese features additions like roasted mushrooms. It’s tradition with a culinary school education.
9. Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers (Houston)
Gatlin’s caught me by surprise. Known first for their award-winning barbecue, this Houston gem expanded into soul food territory with spectacular results. Their fried chicken made me momentarily forget my table manners – I picked up that wing with both hands and didn’t put it down until nothing remained but clean bones.
The restaurant combines Gulf Coast seafood with Southern comfort classics in ways that make perfect sense once you taste them. Their catfish étouffée brings together two traditions seamlessly, served over perfectly cooked rice that soaks up the rich sauce.
Owner Greg Gatlin often walks the floor, checking on tables and sharing stories about how his mother’s cooking inspired many of the recipes. The restaurant feels modern but comfortable, with nods to family history throughout. Their signature cocktails, especially the bourbon-based ones, pair surprisingly well with the hearty food.