Another culinary chapter in Houston's history has come to a quiet close, as This Is It Soul Food, a Third Ward institution known for its heartwarming dishes, shut its doors after 66 years of service. The family-owned restaurant, a beloved fixture since 1959, announced its closing on Facebook, expressing gratitude for the "memories and lessons" it garnered over the years; according to KHOU, they shared a heartfelt message that read, "As we close this chapter, we carry with us the memories of shared meals, celebrations, and the enduring spirit of family."
Located originally in Houston's Fourth Ward, the restaurant eventually became a staple of the historic Third Ward, where it served a community that included local Houston residents and celebrities like Beyoncé. With the Oct. 12 closure, memories linger of the space at 2712 Blodgett St., which not just catered to celebrities, but also saw visits from political figures like former First Lady Jill Biden, according to a report by Chron.com, reinforcing its status as a star of the Houston dining scene.
While the Third Ward location has ceased operations, This Is It's culinary tradition isn't disappearing entirely—The Humble location at 9441 Farm to Market 1960 Bypass Rd. W will continue to operate, keeping the family's flavors and recipes alive. The Joseph family, which has seen four generations at the restaurant’s helm, are refocusing their culinary efforts on growth, innovation, and rebranding, a strategic move aimed at preserving the restaurant's legacy while adapting to the changing landscapes of the food industry.
In the wake of this closure, however, Houston food enthusiasts have something to look forward to: the opening of Mikki's Café, also owned by the family, is slated for October 26, 2025, and will be located at the Blodgett address that once housed the original This Is It, it's a situation where the end of one era feeds directly into the beginning of another, promising the same level of hospitality and community-focused dining experience that became This Is It's trademark, the restaurant shared upbeat news about the incoming Mikki’s Café run by the founders' children, promising to honor the vision of the original establishment.
