The thing about businesses starting new chapters is that something is always left behind. For This Is It Soul Food, that something is their longtime Third Ward home.
Over the weekend, This Is It Soul Food announced it was closing its location at 2712 Blodgett St. in Houston. The address housed the original restaurant that was founded in 1959. Its last day was Oct. 12.
“For over 66 years of business, we have cherished the memories and lessons each season brought,” the restaurant said in part. “As we close this chapter, we carry with us the memories of shared meals, celebrations, and the enduring spirit of family.”
Four generations of the Jones family have operated This Is It Soul Food. Its menu has attracted all sorts of folks, from longtime Houston residents to major stars and Houstonians alike, including Beyoncé. Speaking of Destiny’s Child, Kelly Rowland named the restaurant as one of her favorites in 2024 and promoted it as part of a Pepsi marketing campaign. Two years earlier, former First Lady Jill Biden visited the restaurant with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.
However, This Is It Soul Food isn’t gone. The restaurant will continue on in its Humble location at 9441 Farm to Market 1960 Bypass Rd. W. Also, according to the restaurant’s announcement, the Jones family’s other establishment, Mikki’s Soulfood Cafe, will be taking over the Blodgett address.
It’s as big a silver lining as you’re going to get in 2025 when it comes to restaurant closures. We’ve already seen some longtime Houston area establishments go by the wayside this year, including Brooks’ Place BBQ in Cypress and Rudi Lechner’s near Westchase.