This Is It Soul Food

It's easy to forget that what we call Midtown was once historic Freedmen's Town, since the shotgun houses have steadily lost ground to ever-nicer townhouses and trendy apartments. One anchor that's still thriving is This Is It Soul Food, with its cafeteria-style service and hospitable staff that are pure Southern down-home charm. Since 1959, this neighborhood institution (founded by the late Frank and Mattie Jones and now under the management of the Jones’ grandson) has been a magnet for lovers of good, old-fashioned soul food with daily line-ups including braised oxtail, pork chops, fried catfish, chitterlings and smothered chicken; sides like tasty collard greens, orka and tomatoes, mac and cheese and black eyed peas, and banana pudding or peach cobbler to complete the experience.

In an ad touting Houston for the city's convention and visitors bureau, superstar Beyonce Knowles says This Is It is one of her favorite places to eat.