Mikki’s Cafe Soulfood

My first time visiting Mikki’s was a few years back and I must say they have definitely made some changes. I came on a Sunday afternoon around 4pm. The line for dining in was pretty long. Something new they’ve implemented, was a separate serving line for to go orders, which I feel is an awesome idea. If you’ve ever been to Mikki’s, you’re aware that it can take a while to place your order. I was wanting my food to go, so I headed over to the to go line. The line wasn’t very long, and the service was speedy, except for them being out of pepper steak and having to wait for them to refill it. I had the baked chicken, with potatoes, greens, and corn. I was a bit disappointed in the chicken, because I didn’t want gravy on my chicken. I feel I ordered the wrong chicken, there’s a baked and a roasted option. If you don’t want gravy, get the roasted option. I also ordered the corn bread and white chocolate bread pudding. They were both amazing. Mikki’s is definitely a must try. The four stars are due to me trying them a few years back, and I felt the food was seasoned and a bit more flavorful then, but it’s still very tasty.

Good food but the place is pretty must always packed with people. Try going on a week day, mid day for faster service

Huge Portions and Authentic too ! Bring your appetite and a friend too !!! Have never had a meal I didn’t like there !!!

When you are looking for some good comfort food, this is the place.
It all started when they spooned about 1 pound of mashed potatoes on my plate. I knew I was in trouble. Then they put 2 pork chops on top and 4 spoons of brown gravy. Then they told me to pick 3 vegetables. Mac n Cheese, green beans with ham and red potatoes, red beans.
I had to be rolled out of this place.
Although the restaurant is small and a bit dated, the food is good and worth the visit. It’s not the best food ever, but it is very good and reminds me of my grandmother’s cooking. There wasn’t any real «service». No one checked on us, asked if we needed anything.

Enjoyable. Food was A-​ok, just like three stars on Unilocal states, but nothing life changing. Good soul food served in a clean pleasant setting. I was hoping for a bigger variety to choose from when in comes to Soul food Staples for the meat selection, but it seems that there system was to have either ham hocks or oxtails served (or insert any other two top meats) that day and that’s what you got. So in short, If I’m in the area again, I will consider another visit and be happy about it… but no special trips.

We have heard a lot about this place and finally got a chance to try it. My mother-​in-​law makes the best soul food that I could ever have. However this place did remind me of her food. Everything we tried was very good. The place was very clean and the time that we went was actually not busy so we were able to get in and out. Definitely enjoyed the peach cobbler.

Normally when I visit Mikki’s the food is the bomb! However, today that is not the case. As soon as I got home with my to go order, I was ready to chow down. The first oxtail that I picked up had a hair on it! Yuck! It ruined my appetite. I didn’t even finish it. Farewell Mikki’s.

Came here for lunch today and I was a little skeptical but it was so good. I personally didn’t think it was worth $ 20 for the meal, but it was really good. I had the jambalaya over rice and my side sides included Mac n cheese and collard greens. The portion sizes are big so I had enough left over that it filled my to go box.
The Jambalaya was great had great flavor, the sausage to me was a little dry, but the sauce used was what made the whole experience.
The collard greens, to me, tasted similar to lubys. So that gives u an idea of the taste. So nothing omg over the top but good.
The Mac and cheese was the same. Cheesy just like I like it.
I will repeat the food is really good, but I guess everyone had built it up so much that I was expecting something over the top can not find anywhere else type of food? To me it was kinda like lubys good, big portions but regular. And I wouldn’t pay $ 20 to eat at lubys.

Had the meatloaf, mac n cheese and greens. It was lackluster but not bad. Maybe I need to try something else. Also they were out of yellow cake which was disappointing.

Decent soul food… not my mamma’s but definitely not Cracker Barrel. The oxtails are the star. Tender well seasoned. The serving portions are HUGE!
The service here SUCKS! The staff on the serving line needs customer service training ASAP. Do NOT step in there on a Sunday. Its super busy/​crowded and the staff moves at the same slow pace.

I heard good things about the food so I had to try it. Dined with another individual. We both ordered the oxtails which came with two sides, and we added a slice of lemon cake and a slice of some other cake. I had the mac and cheese and my dining partner had the greens and yams. I was not impressed with the flavor of my oxtails or mac and cheese as they both needed seasoning! The price for the both of us was $ 40. The individual that I dined with did like the food and would return. I think if you have had authentic southern home cooked meals you may not find the oxtails or mac and cheese to meet your expectations. The cake was so/​so. I cannot speak about the other items on menu, but the oxtails and the mac and cheese… no bueno :(

Simply amazing. If you want soul food this is the place to go. The bbq pork was great.

Ox tails and BBQ pork chop were great, but the sweet potatoes were so freakin awesome.

Unilocal, Unilocal,why did you make my expectations so doggone high? LOL! My husband and I visited here on Sat., 4÷9÷16. We were visiting Houston for the first time and wanted to try some soul food (since we haven’t found any good soul food places in DC, I thought we’d have a better chance in Houston). We picked Mikki’s after reading glowing Unilocal reviews and getting recommendations for locals.
First, let me say the food was pretty decent, this review is more about the service, which was very lackluster/​bordering on rude…
We went late in the afternoon so it wasn’t crowded and there was no line. The location looks a tad bit sketchy so be prepared for that — not a big deal to me — I live in DC. I knew this was a cafeteria style restaurant so I knew it wouldn’t be fancy but I just expected it to be a little nicer inside. Some of the stations where the food is housed need to be updated — I didn’t see gnats or dirt, it just looked… OLD. There were brown water spots on the ceiling tiles — which gives me the heebie jeebies when I see them in restaurants. Bleh. I wouldn’t eat in here but I digress…
We got in line and the first woman we encountered asked what we wanted but her facial expression clearly showed she didn’t want to be there. I stood there for a few seconds because I didn’t know what I wanted — thankfully, she didn’t roll her eyes or suck her teeth while she was waiting for me to decide. But she didn’t smile or make any suggestions either. The rest of the folks working the assembly line had a similar demeanor, they weren’t friendly but they all did their jobs.
When we got to the register, I saw all the yummy-​looking cakes near the counter but my heart was set on trying some of the peach cobbler. I asked for it and the cashier simply said «We out.» Well dayum, ok, no peach cobbler, how about you suggest something else instead of looking at me all blank? So I looked at the rest of the cake slices and asked what kind they were, her response «Which one?» My bad, I guess I thought she would’ve told me what kind they all were but again, my expectations were too high. So I point to one and she says it’s the white chocolate bread pudding and that it’s good (wow, I couldn’t believe she actually described something! LOL). I got the bread pudding.
FOOD:
My husband got ribs, mac and cheese and collard greens. I got fried fish, mac and cheese, collard greens and the bread pudding. Now I must say, the portions are big, the fried fish was really good! I liked the batter on it — it was cornmeal-​y and had good seasoning. My husband said his ribs were good, we both thought the mac and cheese and collard greens were good — but we ain’t want to slap our mamas or grandmas after eating either one. Now the bread pudding — sheesh! First off, I like bread pudding so I was pressed to taste it and opened the container as soon as we got in the car. At first bite, I thought the cashier gave me rum cake by mistake. That’s all I could taste! It was moist but I could barely taste any of the white chocolate sauce — the rum flavor overpowered everything else. I even made my husband, who hates bread pudding, taste it to make sure I wasn’t tripping! He had a bite and said ‘What the? Is that rum cake? Poonie must’ve made it, he tryna’ get everybody drunk!” LOL! We don’t know anyone named «Poonie» — but doesn’t that sound like the nickname of somebody’s drunk uncle? I ended up throwing the bread pudding away. If you like rum cake, I HIGHLY recommend it!
All in all, like I said, the ribs and fried fish were tasty, the mac and cheese and collard greens were good but not stellar and I’d skip the bread pudding altogether. I can deal with lackluster, but functional, service and might go back if we ever visit Houston again. With all the pictures of celebrities on the walls inside and the great reviews, I’m pretty sure this is a very profitable business. I hope the owners reinvest some of that money back into their business and update/​renovate the interior.

I like Mikki’s. As a native New Yorker, the more northern, eastern Soul Food is very different from what is eaten here, so it took some bites to get used to, but over the years it has proven solid. I used to like the pepper steak, I believe when I ate meat, but I don’t like to review meat as I was never really a huge fan of it as a thing. Okay on to what I know…
The rice… amazing I don’t like rice and this rice makes me like rice.
The mac and cheese… pass…Not a fan of the creamy style. I need it casserole-​y
Yams…hit or miss usually a hit and my kids love them.
Cornbread…perfection. Always
Red Velvet Cake… GET IT. One of the only sweets I enjoy in life is Red Velvet Cake so if done wrong, I’m abhorred, but they make it the way it was meant to be made by grandma? I guess? My grandma never made me cake… but I digress. It’s like moist and has these crunchy-​ish corners… mmmmm Perfect frosting, you can taste the cream cheese and not overly sweet like fools who don’t know how to make cream cheese frosting. See, it’s so good I dedicated half of my review to it. Shameful.
There is usually a crowd in here at peak times. Well always a crowd at peak times. So be ready for that. But if you have never had Mikki’s and live in Houston, then you’re a weirdo and maybe I can’t trust you. Just go and eat and be happy.

Mikki, I hope I run into you one day because I just want to shake your hand and tell you that this is the BEST soul food I have ever had.
I got the oxtails with rice, smothered in gravy, mac and cheese, and steamed cabbage. It was good. So good, my friend and I ate in silence until we finished every last bit of our food. so good, I cried.
Mikki, I don’t know you, but I love you.

Never had soulfood and I wanted to try it so I asked my friends what is a good place to check it out. This was the overall agreement from everyone that this place has the best. Its about 20 min from my apt I would go again even if it was an hour. THe second you walk in you are overcomed by a delicious smell of HOME COOKED FOOD. It’s buffet style so you pick what you want as you walk through. I got Oxtails, white rice, mac and cheese & Mashed Potatoes with gravy as well as a side of Jalapeño cornbread and sweet tea. I am not sure how this food is made or where it came from but I think it was a product of a kitchen made in heaven and delivered by Gabriel himself! Every bit I took was absolutely amazing and you have sooo much food to eat! Even though it’s a lot of food and I clearly couldn’t eat it all I couldn’t stop eating it and ate myself into a Food Coma! be prepared to sleep after this cause this food here is absolutely E P I C! Can’t wait to go back

Mikki’s is my go-​to when I’m craving southern/​soul food. I usually opt for Mikki’s on Sundays after church because after hearing a good word, a hearty meal is all that I need to make my Sunday complete. They open at 11 a.m., so the timing is perfect for me coming from an early service. I’m usually one of the first 20 patrons waiting in line. Therefore, my food is always hot and ready.
The setup is cafeteria style with an assembly line to place your order. Though I’ve dined in twice, I prefer to order to-​go and enjoy my food in the comfort of my home (apparently, inhaling your food in public is frowned upon LOL). There’s usually about eight to 10 employees working various stages of the line to ensure the accuracy and speed of your order. You select your main dish first, then your three sides (rice, mashed potatoes or stuffing counts as one side; though these items are good, I would rather pay for the other sides). Toward the end, you select your cornbread (regular or jalapeño). At the register, you can add drinks or desserts to your order or cash out. If you’re dining in, you can expect someone to check on you regularly, asking if you need drink refills, to-​go boxes or additional condiments. And you’re never rushed through your meal.
Beware of the itis! The portions are VERY large! Any plate is enough to save or share. All the food is well-​seasoned and prepared with love the way Big Mama does it. (If you don’t have a Big Mama in your family, just rent the movie «Soul Food» and you’ll understand). My favorite items are the baked chicken smothered in gravy (both the light and dark meat are good here); macaroni and cheese; collard greens; stewed okra with tomatoes; candied yams and now from my most recent visit, black eyed peas. I’ve sampled the oxtails and the barbecue chicken from others and these items were equally good. So, I think it’s safe to say, Mikki’s does soul food right! The only thing I wasn’t particularly fond of was the peach cobbler. It was good, but extremely tart, as though someone was a little heavy-​handed with the lemon extract. (It also didn’t come with ice cream, but it was no biggie for me to pick up my own).
Overall, Mikki’s is more than worth it. The food is delicious and the prices are more than reasonable for the amount of food that you get. This place is family-​owned and operated, so if you experience any issues with your food or the service, just pull someone to the side and let them know your concerns.

I am new to Texas, my husband is from Houston, he recently retired from the military and here we are … I am trying new things and seeking different foods. I found Mikki’s Café on Unilocal.My husband and I decided to try Mikki’s first oppose to the other soul food place «This is It». The options on the menu are plenty. Admittedly I am not a soul food eater on any type of frequency, yet I am always willing to try new things. I was impressed with the selection. I read oxtails is popular, I have NEVER eaten oxtails… I will have to be talked into trying that …
The line servers were extremely patient with me as I pondered my selections. One woman was very kind in explaining what side items such as rice that I should pair with my beef steak… I was very excited when I saw they had pecan pralines as a dessert items.
I was told by the cashier they didn’t have any, they only had what I saw there. Which is where my experience took a dive. She was not patient, in fact she was very abrupt, she failed to make eye contact as I inquired about the desert options. Moreover, she rang us up for $ 86 worth of items when I check indicated only $ 42… She cut me off as I asked more questions replying «I am trying to fix your check!». Further, while trying to correct her mistakes regarding our check, she kept trying to answer her mobile phone (very unprofessional).
I rarely write a review without the benefit of eating the food. I can’t speak to the food as of yet, for I stopped to write this review. I can’t say I won’t again, for if the food is good, I will… I would highly suggest working on her customer service skills.
I come from up North and people commonly stereotype east coast, up north people as being rude. I have been here in Texas for about 2 months now, I have had more discourteous, disrespectful, unprofessional service and no it is not because of something I have said nor done. I respect everyone whether you are the CEO or trash collector. When I am paying my hard earned money I expect at a minimum good service. Please use this review as an opportunity to improve.

This is my go-​to spot on Sunday’s after church! They give you great portion sizes. Lost of the time, I end up eating half for lunch and the other half for dinner!
Everything tastes great! The yams are amazing! I’ve also had the ribs, ox tails, meat loaf, smothered pork chops (oh my!) and catfish. I like the tomato and okra, greens and cornbread dressing sides. Also, it’s worth noting that they serve the best pecan pie and bread pudding in town — I’m just sayin’!
Don’t be intimidated by the line. It moves quickly most days.

Great place for Soul Food. Along the walls of this restaurant they have signed photographs of the celebrities that have eaten here. Food is top notch. Wide open space indoors. Very friendly and personable staff.
I usually have oxtails over rice or smothered turkey wings. I come here regularly. The only downside is that it can take almost forever to checkout and pay for your food. You come into the cafeteria style restaurant. You get in ordering your food. That’s the traffic jam. They only have one register and often too few people serving the food behind the counter.
Have a 1hour lunch? 10 minutes of that is usually you waiting to be serve or to check out and pay. If you have time on your hands definitely come through here.

Mikki’s is always on point and in my opinion the best Soul Food in the City… Yes I said it… even better than This is It… I usually get the Oxtail’s which are always just right. The greens are always full of flavor and the portions are generous… This is a steamline set up but all of the food us packed with flavor… The dining room is always clean and the music has a very chill, calm, upbeat feeling… The staff are always friendly too… You can’t beat it. When you need food for the Soul check out this place…

First time trying Soul Food and boy was this place spot on!
We got the Pork Rib Plate and Ox Tails! Mikki serves their food cafeteria style and they provide a generous serving with three sides. I highly recommend their Mac and cheese and collard greens as sides!
The pork ribs were very tender and flavorful, and they fall right off of the bone.
The Ox Tails is fatty meat and the gravy was amazing as I drenched it all over my rice for a fantastic combination.
Tip: GET THEIR GRAPE KOOL-​AID !
Overall this place is a must try and I will definitely come back!

Came Thursday at around 1pm, no wait. Limited parking available. When you walk in, music is playing and you have more of that southern comfort feel.
Menu and celebrity photo on wall. You choose what you want looking through the glass, like Luby s kind of. I got fettuccine Alfredo and tilapia in Alfredo sauce. I also got Mac and cheese, green beans and corn.
Mac and cheese: the cheese taste different than the ones we’re used to be to, taste more sharp with a hint of sweet aftertaste.
Green beans: served with bacon mixed in, yum!
Corn: sweet and yummy
Everything was delicious, raspberry tea free with check in ! Very sweet. Cherry kool aid also served with free refills. Drinks will be brought to your table.
Upon leaving the line suddenly got longer! Majority of ppl take their food to go! You get a choice of cornbread or jalapeño. Choose jalapeño ;)