9 Best Soul Food Restaurants in Fort Worth

Image courtesy of Time Out.

Soul food, also regarded as “comfort food,” has its roots in the rural South. The term “comfort food” originates from Black people enslaved on plantations adapting the foods available to them, and freed slaves finding comfort in recreating the dishes they had grown up with. Today, the term “comfort food” more often indicates that the food reminds one of home cooked meals. 

Staples of soul food include greens, beans, cornmeal, grits, fried chicken, and pork. If you want to experience soul food, there’s no better place to do so than in Fort Worth. Keep reading to see our ranking of the 9 best soul food restaurants in Fort Worth.

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1. Cracker Barrel

Country breakfast chain with surprisingly good soul food offerings on their lunch and dinner menu. 

4691 Gemini Pl | Northeast | crackerbarrel.com

We know everyone comes to Cracker Barrel for breakfast, but what if we told you their lunch and dinner menu actually offers some amazing soul food?

They’ve got Chicken Fried Chicken—a generous portion of their Sunday Homestyle Chicken topped with Sawmill Gravy, U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish—your choice of two spicy grilled fillets or two cornmeal crusted and fried fillets served with tartar sauce for dipping, Southern Fried Chicken—four hand-breaded pieces of bone-in chicken using their special recipe seasoning, then fried until golden and crispy, and much more. 

Don’t worry, though, if you are devoted to the Cracker Barrel breakfast. They serve a handful of breakfast items all day.

“It's Cracker Barrel. I know! And normally I wouldn't review it but service was really good and the chicken fried steak was better than any other Cracker Barrel I've ever had it at. So flavorful. Almost as good as a real southern restaurant.” - Yelp Review 

Purchase a GiftYa for Cracker Barrel here.

2. Boston Market

Chain offering affordable comfort food like chicken, mac and cheese, and cornbread.

6030 S Hulen St | Wedgwood | bostonmarket.com 

Boston Market may come as another surprise, but hear us out! They’ve got chicken, ribs, meatloaf, as well as sides like mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, sweet corn, sweet potato casserole, and cornbread—all at an affordable price.

If you want soul food in a pinch, you should definitely consider stopping in the Boston Market in the Wedgwood area.

Don’t forget to grab either the Apple Pie or the Seasonal Warm Peach Cobbler for dessert!

“One of my favorite chains. Great home cooked foods. Service was fast. Prices are reasonable. Staff friendly… The cornbread is a must try when it is HOT.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa for Boston Market here.

3. Krispy Krunchy Chicken

Casual restaurant offering Cajun style chicken.

4101 N Story Rd | Irving | krispykrunchychickenirving.com 

Take the short drive from Irving to Fort Worth, and you’ll find Krispy Krunchy Chicken—a casual restaurant offering Cajun style chicken. They have fried chicken, crispy chicken sandwiches, chicken wraps like the Sriracha Chicken Wrap and the Buffalo Chicken Wrap, and wings. They also have a beef burger, a fish sandwich, and a veggie burger in case someone in your party isn’t all about chicken. As for sides, they have fries with cajun seasoning, honey butter biscuits, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, coleslaw, sweet corn, corn on the cob, and more. 

“I always get 4 pieces of drumsticks and 4 pieces of thighs for my son and I to share with honey buttered biscuits and a side of fries. Everything was perfect. Come here for your fried chicken fix, you will not be disappointed and prices are great.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa for Krispy Krunchy Chicken here. 

4. Drew’s Place Soul Food 

Voted "Best Fried Chicken In Fort Worth, Texas" in 2016. 

5701 Curzon Ave | Arlington Heights | drewssoulfoodfw.com 

Drew’s place has been serving soul food to customers for three decades. Drew’s has been published in countless magazines and newspapers (all good things), consistently ranks as one of the best restaurants in Fort Worth, Texas, and has collected several annual culinary awards. Drew’s was even selected as "Reader’s Choice Best Soul Food!” and voted to have the "Best Fried Chicken In Fort Worth, Texas" in 2016. 

Now that we’ve mentioned their accolades, let’s dive into their menu. Their meals include Fried Chicken, Filet Spicy Catfish, Fried Pork Chops, and Chicken Fried Steak—all come in a small or a large and are served with your choice of two vegetables and your choice of cornbread, Texas toast or a roll. In addition to their meals, they have burgers, sandwiches, and daily specials like Ox Tails (Friday only). 

We love that all of their desserts are homemade. Get the Peach Cobbler, the Sweet Potato Pie, or the Pecan Pie.

“Drews is good ol soul food. The fried chicken is delicious and juicy. I got the fried chicken with mashed potatoes and cabbage. The sides tasted great. I have no complaints. Every time I come here, I get fried chicken.” - Yelp Review

Drew’s Place Soul Food doesn’t offer GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check back soon because we are always adding new restaurants! 

5. Juicy’s Soul Food Cafe

No-frills soul food restaurant with a rotating daily menu. 

2220 Handley Dr | Eastside | yelp.com/biz/juicys-soul-food-cafe-fort-worth

There isn’t a whole lot on Juicy’s Soul Food Cafe—they don’t have a website, but we couldn’t ignore all of their great reviews on Yelp. Some of the best restaurants are hidden gems, so we thought we should mention Juicy’s and let you know what we do know about this soul food restaurant.

They offer different entrees every day. Monday is Nya’s Homemade Meatloaf, Smothered Pork Chops, Smothered Chicken, Kayla’s Braised Beef Tips, Shepherd's Pie, and Baked Spaghetti, while Friday is Fried Fish, Kayla’s Braised Beef Tips, Smothered Pork Chops, Nya’s Homemade Meatloaf, Smothered Chicken, and Salmon Croquettes. 

Sides include mac and cheese, the beans of the day, green beans, mashed potatoes, potato salad, mixed greens, fried cabbage, fried corn, french fries, fried okra, cornbread dressing (Thursday and Sunday only), rice, and cucumber salad. 

Juicy’s also has homemade desserts like Strawberry Shortcake and Sweet Potato Pie. 

PSA: They’re closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

“The menu changes everyday offering a delicious variety of entrees to choose from. We waited about 30 minutes from the time we ordered to our food being served. Everything was flavorful and served hot. I have no complaints. We will return!” - Yelp Review 

Juicy’s Soul Food Cafe doesn’t offer GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check back soon because we are always adding new restaurants! 

6. Nana’s Kitchen

Black-owned soul food restaurant with large portions.

7403 John T White Rd | Eastside | nanaskitchenftworth.com 

Nana’s kitchen is a landmark soul food restaurant in Fort Worth for two reasons: the food and their delightful chef. The two go hand in hand, as many of the recipes are original creations from Chef Nana herself. At Nana's you'll experience a rotating menu of Southern soul food classics, from fried catfish to chicken and waffles (only on Sundays!). Pro tip: get the lemonade—it’s delicious, as long as you like your lemonade super sweet!

“Nana's Kitchen for lunch today! Amazing Soul Food located In Fort Worth, TX! The food was sooo good! Everything seasoned to perfection! & Also, I really loved the Cabbage! Great portion sizes as well! I will DEFINITELY be back!” - Yelp Review 

Nana’s Kitchen doesn’t offer GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check back soon because we are always adding new restaurants! 

7. Stormie Monday’s

Family-owned neighborhood diner serving soul food. 

3509 E Berry St | South East | stormiemonday.com 

If you want to enjoy delicious soul food while supporting a family-owned, Black-owned business, you should definitely check out Stormie Monday’s. Some of their food they offer daily, such as Chicken Fried Steak, Chicken Fried Chicken, Fried Pork Chops, and Fried Fish. However they also offer a variety of daily specials. On Tuesdays, they offer Chicken Spaghetti, Smothered Pork Chops, and Meatloaf. While on “Soul Food Sundays,” they serve Roast, Pig Feet, Turkey Wings, Meatloaf, BBQ Ribs, Baked Chicken, and Smothered Pork Chops.

“Service was great and all our food was amazinggggggg! Something about picking up soul food without spending hours making it yourself just hits different. Getting a side of greens is a must you have to… Do yourself a favor and come try it!” - Yelp Review 

Stormie Monday’s doesn’t offer GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check back soon because we are always adding new restaurants! 

8. Madea’s Down Home Cooking

Soul food diner with a nice atmosphere and huge portions.

1019 W Enon Ave | Far South/Sycamore | madeasdownhomecookin 

This soul food restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere (including a decorated wall honoring Madea, the restaurant’s namesake) and huge portions. Menu favorites include the Hot Water Cornbread, Smothered Pork Chops, and Chicken Fried Chicken. Check this place out if you want homestyle cooking without having to make it yourself. Pro tip: order a kid’s plate because even this portion will fill you right up.

“Come thru again Madea's. When I'm in the mood for home cooking this is my go to spot… Desserts to choose from and a guaranteed return trip. Food is always fresh, and although service can be slow it's worth the wait.” - Yelp Review

Madea’s Down Home Cooking doesn’t offer GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check back soon because we are always adding new restaurants! 

9. Smoke-A-Holics BBQ

BBQ restaurant located on the Southside.

1417 Evans Ave | Southside | smoke-a-holicsbbq.com 

This BBQ restaurant located on the Southside lauds itself as “Texas-style BBQ with a soulful twist.” It was voted one of The 50 Best BBQ Joints in 2021 by Texas Monthly, so there’s got to be some truth to that. Their menu offers smoked meats (which can come alone or as dinner plates with two sides), sandwiches, and other favorites like Loaded Tater, Loaded Cornbread, and Brisket Nacho. Sides include collard greens, cajun cream corn, baked beans, green beans, potato salad, and smoked mac and cheese. Note: sides vary daily!

Some of their most highly rated items include the Loaded Cornbread (cornbread loaded with baked beans, brisket, shredded cheese, green onions, and BBQ sauce), Coca-Cola Cake, Big Macc (mac and cheese with brisket, sausage, green onions, and BBQ sauce), and the Brisket Sandwich.

“Believe the hype. This place is incredible… Ribs/Brisket: Both were great, but the brisket was absolutely phenomenal. This place is the best BBQ I've had in FW. Don't sleep on Smoke-A-Holics. Check them out!” - Yelp Review

Smoke-A-Holics BBQ doesn’t offer GiftYa digital gift cards just yet, but check back soon because we are always adding new restaurants! 

Now that you know where the best soul food restaurants in Fort Worth, TX are, what are you waiting for? Whether you go to a chain restaurant like Cracker Barrel or Boston Market or you go to a family-owned establishment that makes their own desserts and has been in the family for decades like Drew’s Place Soul Food, you are sure to one of the many soul food restaurants Fort Worth, TX has to offer. 

Be sure to let us know in the comments which of these soul food restaurants in Fort Worth you try first!