Houston Black History: This Is It Soul Food

HOUSTON – Houston's THIS IS IT Soul Food Restaurant has been a local institution for more than 50 years.

Founded by Frank and Mattie Jones in 1959 from an A frame house in Freedman's Town in Houston's Fourth Ward, THIS IS IT is now run by the couple's grandson, Craig Joseph, from its current location at 2712 Blodgett in Third Ward.

Founder Frank Jones' culinary inspiration was his mother, who in the 20's and early 30's ran a boarding house in the Fourth Ward where she would serve soul food to her boarders, including jazz greats Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway.

Today, THIS IS IT dishes out delicious soul food from steam tables for a diverse mix of customers, working-class and professional, politicians, entertainers and tourists, alongside regular customers and neighborhood residents.

More info: www.HoustonThisIsIt.com.