Love is at the center of the Mikki’s Soul Food Cafe experience because that was the most important part of the business for its founder, Jeanette Williams.
After nearly two decades of serving soul food on West Bellfort Avenue, Jeanette, her son Craig Joseph and his family wanted to provide the same homestyle meals to southeast Houston residents. Pearland residents were making the 20-mile drive to the Stafford-area location for some of her cooking before Craig and his wife, Tasha Joseph, opened a location at 9603 Broadway St. in June 2019, Craig said.
While Jeanette died just five months before the Pearland location opened its doors, both restaurants continue offering the same meals she enjoyed cooking and serving. The menu’s roots are in the food Jeanette Williams served at cookouts for her coworkers before she opened a restaurant, when she worked for the United States Postal Service.
“She sacrificed it all [for us] to be where we are today,” Craig said of his mother, whose grave he visits often since it is close to the Pearland location. “I’m reminded of her every day.”
