The brainchild of Max Bozeman II, the Greasy Spoon makes good on the young chef’s desire to elevate Southern cuisine. Leaning into the close relationship between Texas’ and Louisiana’s Black cuisine, the eatery places a sincere and loving focus on its incredible seafood options. The Cajun jambalaya pasta and blackened catfish Opelousas are not to be missed. For the non-seafood enthusiasts? Herb-roasted chicken, smothered pork chops, and decadent sides like “souled out” black eyed peas, candied yams, Southern style greens, and sweet buttered corn are sure to please. To place a delivery or curbside, visit ChowNow, or call the restaurant directly.

With classic soul food offerings like baked chicken, smothered steak, peach cobbler, and a variety of cakes, Christine’s Soul Food Place is great for when you’re in need of a quick, home-cooked meal. You can call the restaurant to place a pickup or takeout order. 

Equally rich in food options and history, Esther’s Cajun Cafe & Soul Food puts heart and soul into every single dish. There’s creamy Cajun fettuccine pasta, hearty chicken and dumplings, traditional shrimp and crawfish etouffee, and sweet and smooth banana pudding to finish off what’s sure to be a memorable meal. You can call or stop by Esther’s to order takeout, or order online with Doordash.

If heaven was truly a place on earth, you might just find it in Heavenly Choices. Come for the oxtails and baked yams, stay for the German butter cake. Call the restaurant to place a takeout order.

Perhaps one of the most storied and integral restaurant’s to Houston’s Black eating culture, The Breakfast Klub continues to garner lines wrapped around its building — and with good cause. The signature “katfish” and grits and wings and waffles continue to bring celebrities, politicians, and Houstonians to the restaurant, and their menu of breakfast plates, lunch salads, and heart healthy options continue to impress Third Ward and the greater Houston community. The Breakfast Klub offers curbside, pickup, and delivery options through its website, and you can also order pickup or delivery through Grubhub.

Founded in 1964, the Green family’s Alfreda’s Soul Food Restaurant has withstood the test of time in Houston’s ever-changing dining community. Time has done them well, because they’ve perfected signature dishes like turkey wings, fried shrimp, red beans and rice, and shrimp and grits. You can order takeout and curbside on their website, and delivery through Grubhub and Postmates.

It’s hard to disagree with Houston This Is It Soul’s Food claim as the place “where every meal gives you a Sunday feel.” Their oxtail plate with two sides and two pieces of cornbread is just $18.95, and their smothered chicken and fried catfish plate will take the many Houstonians with Southern Baptist roots back to the Sundays of their childhood. Open for carry out, delivery, and onsite dining, patrons can order with Doordash and Grubhub.

NaWels Cajun and Soul Food keeps things simple, and tasty. The unassuming restaurant packs a flavor punch in its beloved catfish basket, red beans and rice with sausage, and shrimp po-boy. If you’re in an extra sweet mood, make sure to grab a funnel cake. Order online for pick up or delivery on Grubhub and Seamless.

Soul Food by Catherine provides classics like smothered pork chops and rice, yams, and collard greens. They also offer fried fish and chips baskets, stuffed bell peppers, and desserts to satisfy every sweet tooth. Delivery is available through Grubhub and UberEats.

Seabrook is technically not Houston, but true Houstonians know that there’s always a chance you’ll end up near the Space Station, in need of some grub. Lake Charles native Chef Aaron offers terrific family favorites like bbq shrimp and grits — local shrimp in a New Orleans-style barbecue butter sauce with peas, mushrooms, and micro basil — and chili honey wings and Liège waffle — double cooked wings tossed in a sweet and smoky chili Texas honey sauce, with a homemade Liège waffle. Order pickup or delivery through Postmates, Grubhub, or DoorDash.