A fixture of Houston’s culinary and cultural landscape has quietly shuttered its doors. After 66 years, This Is It Soul Food officially closed its iconic Third Ward location on October 12, 2025, marking the end of an era for many Houstonians. Even amid the closure, the restaurant’s influence and legacy remain firmly etched into the city’s identity.
A Legacy of Food, Family, and Community
This Is It was more than a restaurant — it was a gathering place. Founded in 1959 in Houston’s Fourth Ward, the Jones family built the business from modest beginnings to a staple in the city’s soul food scene. Over the years, the restaurant drew a devoted following, not only from longtime residents but also notable visitors. Its oxtail and other signature dishes earned praise from celebrities and leaders alike.
In 2010, ownership moved the operation from its original location to the Third Ward, where it continued to serve customers until this month. Although the Third Ward location has closed, the brand’s presence continues through its Humble location, and the family has announced plans to reimagine the space under the name Mikki’s Soulfood Cafe, which will take over the Blodgett Street address.
Why Now: Change and Renewal
Owners acknowledged in their farewell message that this closure is a difficult but deliberate step toward evolution. They expressed gratitude for decades of support and hinted at future efforts in growth, rebranding, and innovation.
They stressed that while the Third Ward site will no longer operate, they remain committed to serving Houston through their Humble restaurant. The family also emphasized that their legacy will live on through community memories, shared meals, and the new chapter ahead.
Public reaction has been emotional and warm. Longtime patrons shared stories of family dinners, personal milestones, and generational ties centered around the restaurant’s tables. Many called the closure bittersweet: sad to see the end of the original location, relieved that the brand itself continues.
Context: Restaurant Closures in Houston’s Changing Landscape
The shuttering of This Is It comes amid a wave of long-running eateries closing in Houston this year. Rising operational costs, shifting demographics, development pressures, and changing consumer habits have all made it tougher for legacy restaurants to survive at original locations.
For many, the closure signals more than a business ending — it represents a shift in the city’s cultural geography. Institutions like This Is It often anchor neighborhoods, drawing repeated visits, sustaining community connections, and hosting celebrations across generations.
What Happens to the Space and the Brand
With the Blodgett Street site closing, community watchers are now watching how the space will transform. The family’s plan to transition the location to Mikki’s Soulfood Cafe suggests continuity in purpose even as the name changes.
Meanwhile, the Humble branch will carry forward the essence of This Is It — the recipes, the service ethos, and the spirit of gathering. The family also plans on exploring new directions: perhaps a rebrand, different service models, or further expansion.
In other cities and communities facing similar restaurant closures, many former sites become pop-up incubators, shared kitchens, or community food hubs. Whether this property follows a similar path remains to be seen.
Natural Ending
Houston is saying farewell to a cornerstone of its food culture. But even as the doors close on the Third Ward shell, the heart of This Is It lives on in ongoing service, future reinvention, and the memories of those who filled its tables. In transition, the name may change — but the flavors and connections it created will endure.
FAQ
What restaurant closed?
This Is It Soul Food, a Houston soul food institution that had operated for 66 years.
When did it close?
Its Third Ward location closed on October 12, 2025.
Will the business disappear?
No. The family will continue operations in Humble, and a new concept, Mikki’s Soulfood Cafe, will take over the Blodgett Street address.
Why did it close?
Owners described it as a transition point toward growth and reinvention.
What will happen at the former location?
It will reopen as Mikki’s Soulfood Cafe, preserving food tradition under a new banner.
