These individual reviews were published at various times. Please check with the listed establishment for any and all updates regarding their businesses. Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order.
On Juneteenth 2020, Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter released “Black Parade” then shouted out dozens of Black-owned businesses from all around the world. Can we say epic? I was excited that she included some of my favorite Black-owned restaurants in Houston – our shared hometown. That means Beyoncé and I have similar tastes, right?!
Either way, I figured if Beyoncé had a list of Black-owned businesses, then surely Black Girl Meets World needed a list of Black-owned restaurants around the world. For good measure, I’m starting with Houston.
Yep, I’m going to eat my way through an extensive and ever-changing list of Black-owned restaurants in Houston and publish my experience here. Every single time (or most.)
Full Disclosure: Every visit doesn’t warrant a full blog post, but I will gladly include a brief overview and picture of my order. I’ll regularly add to this list, so I recommend you bookmark this post and/or subscribe to my email list for updates.
Burn’s BBQ
This BBQ spot is a North side staple and had the honor to showcase Houston’s BBQ scene with culinary icon Anthony Bourdain.
My Order: Chopped Brisket with macaroni and cheese and potato salad.
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Craft Burger
One of two Black owned restaurants in Houston’s Finn Hall, Craft Burger is a gourmet burger restaurant concept from The Food Network’s ‘Chopped’ Champion, Chef Shannen Tune.
Check out my review of Craft Burger here.
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Daranne’s Soul Roll N’ Eats
Daranne’s says they’re “bringing a little soul to the egg roll” and I have to agree.
My Order: The Down South Roll, The Soul Roll, and Daranne’s Punch
The Down South egg rolls are filled with oxtails, rice and cabbage and served with a side of oxtail gravy. The Soul Roll features braised greens and smoked turkey. Both are flavorful, but if you have to choose one, I’d say go with the Down South.
Don’t forget to grab Daranne’s Punch – a very sweet and fruity juice. It reminds me of the fruit punch my auntie makes at all the family gatherings. Can you really get better than Auntie Fruit Punch? The answer is no.
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The French Fry House
Located on the South side near the South Park neighborhood, The French Fry House serves fries covered in… well, just about anything you can imagine. From shrimp etoufee to Philly cheesesteak, come with an empty stomach. Check out my review and order here.
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The Funnel Bar
The Funnel Bar is a pop up restaurant serving classic and creative twists on funnel cakes. From the classics like Sugar Mama and Strawberry Princess to Simone’s Cobble – funnel cake topped with warm peach cobbler, your favorite carnival treat gets a major upgrade!
With so many choices, check out my list of Top 5 Funnel Cakes from The Funnel Bar here.
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Houston This is It Soul Food
Featured in the ’90’s classic film, Jason’s Lyric, This Is It is touted as one of the must-visit Soul food spots in town. Located in the historically Black Third Ward neighborhood, diners navigate through cafeteria style – line to pick an entrée and 3 sides while a staff members portions your selections into a Styrofoam box. The staff is friendly, and I’m sure it’s one of the few restaurants where Delaware Punch is served.
My order: Smothered Pork Chops with Macaroni and Cheese, Cabbage, and Candied Yams. It came with one cornbread muffin.
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Kulture
Best described as “urban komfort food” this bi-level eatery near Discover Green is the brainchild of Houston restaurateur Marcus Davis (The Breakfast Klub) and James Beard-nominated Executive Chef Dawn Burrell. Click here for my BGMW faves.
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Just two weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world, “a fried chicken joint” opened in downtown Houston’s Finn Hall. LIT Chicken’s menu showcases West African culinary influence with items like loaded jollof rice and pounded yam dumpling. I heard ravings reviews about the fried chicken so I had to check it out. Read my full review here.
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Lucille’s
Lucille’s serves refined Southern cuisine with international flare. Their patio brunches are always a vibe, but you can’t go wrong with Brunch, Lunch or Dinner at this Museum District hot spot. It’s one my favorite restaurants, so check out my full rundown here.
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Mikki’s Soul Food Cafe
This is the soul food restaurant I grew up knowing. Located on the southwest side of Houston, diners navigate through the cafeteria- style line selecting an entree and up to 3 sides. Certain items are only available on certain days, so I recommend checking their website so you can plan ahead.
Of course I ordered my standard soul food order: smothered pork chops, Mac and cheese, cabbage and yams. It comes with a side of cornbread, available in regular or jalapeño. I ordered the jalapeño cornbread because it has a nice kick to it! The portions are generous, so I definitely had the itis after enjoying this.
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Reggae Hut
Reggae Hut is the Caribbean concept of restaurateur Marcus Davis, who also owns The Breakfast Klub and Kulture. The casual cafe is located in Third Ward near the museum district and serves popular Caribbean dishes like patties, oxtails, curry chicken and goat, and jerk chicken.
My Order: Beef Patties, Brown Stew Chicken, Mixed Vegetables, Rice & Peas, and a side of Oxtail Gravy (because I’m a real one.) IYKYK
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Rosalyn’s Hot Chicken
Nashville Hot Chicken fans, rejoice! Rosalyn’s Hot Chicken food truck needs to be on your list. They’re bringing their take on the Tennessee staple to Houston’s backyard, and I’m impressed.
My Order: Hot Chicken Sandwich Basket
I like Rosalyn’s version because it’s not the oily Nashville hot style I typically encounter. The hot chicken sandwich features two fried chicken tenders tossed in Nashville hot style on a brioche bun with avocado sauce, slaw and pickles. The basket comes with crinkle cut fries.
Rosalyn’s Hot Chicken has 5 heat levels – Plain, Mild, Medium, Hot or Extra Hot. The lady warned me the Medium was indeed spicy and whew, chile she wasn’t joking! 🥵 Nonetheless, it was delicious and I would 100% order it again.
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Home to the world famous stuffed turkey legs, TLH is the “see and be seen” spot in Third Ward.
Admittedly, I’m not into stuffed turkey legs (think turkey leg overflowing with shrimp alfredo,) but my dining companions raved about them. However, that spicy Hennessy glazed turkey leg HITS. One of my biggest complaints about dining here are the wait times. The lines can stretch down Almeda during peak hours, so I usually grab mine from one of the TLH food truck next door.
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Twisted Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese sandwiches have come a long way since my childhood. Twisted Grilled Cheese re-imagines the classic grilled cheese sandwich with inventive pairings and high quality ingredients. Catch them at the Galleria Food Truck Park or at the Heights neighborhood brick-and-mortar, which is slated to open in Fall 2020.
My order: 5 Cheese Pepperoni Pizza. Stuffed with pepperoni, marinara sauce, and a provolone-Parmesan-mozzarella-yellow cheddar-and white American cheese blend. This is amazing on its own, but it’s even better with a side of their savory tomato soup.
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What are some of your favorite Black Owned Restaurants in Houston?
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These individual reviews were published at various times. Please check with the listed establishment for any and all updates regarding their businesses. Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order.
