You’ve probably heard the name. Or maybe you’ve smelled the gravy from a block away. For over 60 years, This Is It Soul Food restaurant Houston wasn’t just a place to grab a plate of oxtails; it was a living, breathing landmark of Black culture in Texas. But if you’ve driven down Blodgett Street recently looking for those famous smothered pork chops, you might have noticed something different. Things changed. Fast.
The story of This Is It is actually a bit of a rollercoaster. It’s a tale of family legacy, celebrity sightings from Beyoncé to Jill Biden, and a massive shift that caught many regulars off guard in late 2025.
The "This Is It" Legacy: From $1 to Cultural Royalty
Frank and Mattie Jones started this whole thing back in 1959. They opened up in Fourth Ward—Freedmen’s Town—in a little A-frame house. When they found the spot, they supposedly shouted, "This is it!" and the name just stuck. It's funny how the best names are usually accidents like that. Frank’s mother had run a boarding house in the 20s where she fed jazz legends like Louis Armstrong. That kind of history is baked into the floorboards.
Eventually, the torch passed to their grandson, Craig Joseph.
Get this: Craig was a full-time firefighter for 34 years. When it came time to take over the business in 1994, his grandfather didn't sell it for a million bucks. He sold it to Craig for exactly $1. Why? Because family legacy isn't for sale to the highest bidder. Craig kept those recipes exactly the same for decades.
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What’s the Deal with the Houston Closure?
Honestly, the biggest shock came on October 12, 2025. After 66 years of holding it down in the Third Ward, the flagship location at 2712 Blodgett St. officially closed its doors.
People were devastated. You don’t just lose a restaurant like this; you lose a community living room. But it wasn't a "failure" in the traditional sense. The Joseph family actually decided to pivot. They’re focusing on growth and rebranding. While the Blodgett location is gone, they didn't leave the building empty—they actually opened a new concept called Mikki’s Café in that same space just a few weeks later.
If you’re still craving that specific "This Is It" flavor, don't panic. You just have to drive a little further. The Humble location at 9441 Farm to Market 1960 Bypass Rd. W is still very much alive and kicking. It’s become the new home base for the family's culinary secrets.
The Menu: What Most People Get Wrong
People always talk about soul food like it's just one thing, but This Is It treats it like fine dining that happens to come in a styrofoam container.
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The oxtails are the undisputed heavyweight champion here. They’re braised and simmered in what they call "40 weight gravy." It’s thick. It’s rich. It’s basically a hug in liquid form. But the real sleepers on the menu?
- Smothered Pork Chops: Two thick cuts topped with peppers and onions. If you aren't using a piece of cornbread to mop up the extra gravy, you're doing it wrong.
- Chitterlings: They’re a polarizing dish, sure. But This Is It is one of the few places people trust to clean and season them properly.
- The Mac & Cheese: It’s two-time award-winning. It’s not that runny stuff; it’s the kind that holds its shape on the fork.
- Kool-Aid: You can't skip the "Oiler" or the "Spider-Man" daiquiris if you’re at the Humble spot, but the classic fruit punch Kool-Aid is the OG pairing.
The Beyoncé Factor and Real Reviews
It’s no secret that Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland were regulars back in the Destiny’s Child days. Kelly even teamed up with them recently for a Pepsi "Local Eats" campaign. But does the food actually live up to the celebrity hype?
It depends on who you ask.
If you look at recent feedback, you’ll see a mix. Some long-time fans say the quality dipped right before the Houston flagship closed, complaining about "bland" sides or "tough" meat. Others swear by the Humble location, praising the massive portions and the fact that it still feels like a "Sunday meal" every day of the week.
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That’s the thing about a 60-year-old institution—everyone has a version of it in their head from twenty years ago that’s hard to beat.
Where to Find Them Now
If you want the authentic experience today, you’re heading to Humble. The Third Ward era has ended, but the fourth generation of the Joseph family—Christopher, Jessica, and son-in-law Thaddeus—are the ones running the show now.
They’ve modernized things a bit. You can order online through Toast or Uber Eats. They host comedy nights and live music. It’s a bit different than the quiet steam-table vibe of the 60s, but the spirit of Frank and Mattie is still in the seasoning.
Your Next Steps for a Soul Food Fix
If you're planning a visit to the remaining location or checking out the new Mikki's Café, keep these tips in mind:
- Go Early for Oxtails: They are the first thing to sell out. If you show up at 6:00 PM on a Sunday, you’re playing a dangerous game.
- Check the Daily Specials: Some items, like the Smothered Chicken or Beef Short Ribs, often rotate based on the day of the week.
- The Humble Vibe: The Humble spot is great for groups and has a patio. It’s much more of a "hangout" spot than the old Fourth Ward location ever was.
- Support the Rebrand: Check out Mikki’s Café at the old Blodgett address if you want to see how the family is evolving the legacy in the heart of Houston.
The landscape of Houston food is changing, and while it’s sad to see the Blodgett sign come down, the fact that a Black-owned business has survived four generations and is still expanding is a massive win for the city.