5 Black-owned Houston restaurants to try this month

In Houston, Black-owned restaurants range from food trucks to fine dining and everything in between. Here are five of the best you can check out during Black History Month.

The Breakfast Klub

A local institution, The Breakfast Klub has a line wrapped around the block for good reason. It has accumulated numerous accolades since opening in 2001, including being listed in the Chronicle’s Top 100 Restaurants list multiple years.

The breakfast/brunch/lunch spot is run by Marcus Davis, who also owns Reggae Hut Cafe. You can’t go wrong with a breakfast plate, such as the catfish and grits or wings and waffles.

3711 Travis

Davis St. at Hermann Park

Bold Creole-Southern dishes are the stars at Davis St. at Hermann Park from beloved chef Mark Holley. The restaurant found new life under his helm in 2019 after it had been closed for five years.

The Parker House rolls with fish dip and pimento cheese should not be overlooked — and the fried-oyster-topped duck-and-shrimp gumbo is among the best gumbo in the city.

5925 Almeda

Gatlin’s BBQ

Gatlin’s BBQ is an original player in the Houston barbecue scene. The Gatlin family started the business out of a tiny joint in 2010 before expanding to a bigger restaurant in 2015. Now there’s a sister restaurant focused on Southern seafood, Gatlin’s Fins and Feathers.

You can’t go wrong with a two- or three-meat plate, and don’t sleep on the breakfast, including tacos, biscuit sandwiches and waffles.

3510 Ella Blvd.

Lucille’s

It’s classic comfort food at Lucille’s, named after the great-grandmother of restaurateur and chef Chris Williams. Since opening in 2012, Williams has become a James Beard Award nominee for outstanding restaurateur. The cornbread and silky braised oxtails are must orders.

5512 La Branch

Viola & Agnes Neo-Soul Cafe

Ranked No. 25 on the Chronicle’s most recent Top 100 list, Viola & Agnes NeoSoul Cafe in Seabrook is the brainchild of Louisiana native chef Aaron Davis. He has a hand in every dish that is served. Standouts include a cup of filé gumbo that has an entire chicken thigh, sausage, okra and crab legs, along with fried catfish and chicken and waffles.

3659 NASA Road 1, Seabrook

Houston Chronicle file Fried chicken and waffle is one of the most popular dishes at The Breakfast Klub in Houston.

Jody Schmal/Staff The gumbo at Viola & Agnes Neo-Soul Cafe is piled high with goodness, like an entire chicken thigh, sausage and crab legs.

Jenn Duncan Lucille’s serves up serious comfort food, like braised oxtails on serrano cheddar grits with oxtail jus.

Mark Mulligan/Staff photographer Grilled lamb chops with watercress apple salad make a statement at Mark Holley’s Davis St. at Hermann Park.

J.C. Reid/Contributor The spicy dog at Gatlin’s BBQ is sure to satisfy.