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This Down-Home Texas Soul Food Cafe Serves Fried Chicken Locals Rave About, Plus Cherry Kool-Aid Slushes

Marco Rinaldi 9 min read
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This Down-Home Texas Soul Food Cafe Serves Fried Chicken Locals Rave About, Plus Cherry Kool-Aid Slushes

Some of the best lunches in Fort Worth happen on a tight schedule. One neighborhood cafe opens for just four hours a day, four days a week, and people still plan their whole week around it.

Coworkers save it for payday, families carry home big meals, and longtime fans drive in from out of town just to sit down for a plate. The fried chicken has a loyal following, and the cherry Kool-Aid slushes have become a cult favorite of their own.

Keep reading to learn where this spot is, what makes it special, and how to time your visit so you do not miss out.

A Lunch Counter in the Como Neighborhood

A Lunch Counter in the Como Neighborhood
© Drew’s Place Soulfood, Fort Worth, TX

Tucked into the Como neighborhood on the west side of Fort Worth, Drew’s Place Soulfood has built a reputation that stretches well past its block. The cafe sits at 5701 Curzon Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76107, in the United States.

It is a soul food restaurant at heart, and it does not try to be anything else. The menu leans on Southern favorites cooked the way many families remember from home.

The neighborhood setting matters here. Drew’s Place feels woven into the community rather than parked on a busy commercial strip, and that gives it a local, word-of-mouth kind of fame.

Plenty of first-timers show up because a coworker or friend insisted. Some of those friends have been coming for years, which says a lot about staying power.

The address is easy to find with any map app, but the real trick is showing up on the right day at the right hour. That part takes a little planning, and it gets its own section further down.

For now, just know that this small cafe has earned a strong local following, with a 4.4-star standing across more than 600 opinions online. Not bad for a place that only serves lunch.

The Drews Behind the Counter

The Drews Behind the Counter
© Drew’s Place Soulfood, Fort Worth, TX

Every neighborhood cafe has a story, and this one starts with a family name on the sign. Mr. and Mrs. Drew are known around Como as true treasures of the community.

Drew’s Place is a Black-owned business, and many guests make a point of supporting it for that reason. Owners are often seen in the dining room, and the owner has a friendly reputation among regulars.

The family approach shows up in how the kitchen thinks about its food. When a guest once said a few sides needed more punch, the owner replied with a thoughtful explanation.

Older customers tend to prefer less sweet cornbread, while younger ones like it sweeter. So the kitchen aims for a happy medium and lets diners season dishes at the table to their own taste.

That honesty is part of the charm. The owners openly compare their cooking to home cooking, admitting that some days land just right and others land a little less right.

It is a refreshingly human way to run a restaurant. Guests are treated less like customers and more like people coming over for Sunday dinner, even though Sunday is a day off here.

Skylights, a Fountain, and Old School Tunes

Skylights, a Fountain, and Old School Tunes
© Drew’s Place Soulfood, Fort Worth, TX

Down-home digs do not usually come with a fountain, but this dining room breaks the mold. The interior features skylights and a fountain that give the space an outdoor patio feel without leaving the building.

It is a clever setup for a Texas lunch spot. Guests get that relaxed courtyard vibe while staying comfortably indoors.

The music leans old school, which fits the menu perfectly. It adds to a mood that regulars describe as quaint, friendly, and welcoming.

Nothing about the room feels fussy or overdesigned. The focus stays on the plates and the people sharing them.

Many guests mention getting a welcome home vibe the moment they sit down. That feeling is a big reason some folks call it their comfort spot.

The dining room does get busy at lunchtime, so the calm patio mood can turn lively fast around noon. Think of it as a fountain with a front-row seat to the lunch rush.

Fried Chicken With a Fan Club

Fried Chicken With a Fan Club
© Drew’s Place Soulfood, Fort Worth, TX

Ask around Fort Worth about Drew’s Place, and the fried chicken comes up almost immediately. Many regulars call it the star of the whole menu.

The seasoning gets a lot of credit. The chicken arrives well seasoned and moist, and plenty of diners call it their favorite order.

A lunch special makes it easy to dig in. Guests can choose one breast or two dark pieces, depending on their preference.

Hot sauce fans are welcome to go wild. Some people bury their chicken in it, and nobody here is judging.

A popular combination pairs the chicken with collard greens and mashed potatoes. It is a classic lineup that many regulars order again and again.

Families like it too. Kids tend to clean their plates when the chicken dinner shows up, which is high praise from the toughest critics around.

There is a reason the headline puts this dish front and center. In a kitchen full of comfort classics, the fried chicken is the one that keeps the fan club growing.

Mix-and-Match Plates Worth Bragging About

Mix-and-Match Plates Worth Bragging About
© Drew’s Place Soulfood, Fort Worth, TX

Indecisive eaters, rejoice. One of the coolest features at Drew’s Place is the chance to put two or three pieces of meat on a single lunch plate and mix them however you like.

Options include fried chicken, catfish, chicken fried steak, and pork chops, with variations on each. Some fans call this the highlight of the menu.

Chicken fried steak is among the most talked-about dishes. The breading is flour-based, the steak is tender, and the portions are huge.

Smothered pork chops also earn plenty of attention, and they come bone-in. Fried pork chops have their own fans, with a crunchy outside and tender center.

Catfish lovers have choices too. The spicy catfish and fried catfish both get high marks, and there is a catfish sandwich for anyone wanting something handheld.

Not every plate lands perfectly every day. Some diners have found certain dishes milder than expected, which is where the table salt and pepper come in handy.

Still, the combo plate is a smart move for first-timers. It turns one lunch into a mini tour of the menu.

Sides That Steal the Spotlight

Sides That Steal the Spotlight
© Drew’s Place Soulfood, Fort Worth, TX

Here is a twist few expect: some people come for the chicken and leave raving about the vegetables. The sides at Drew’s Place have a serious following of their own.

Collard greens lead the pack. Some guests love them so much they order a pint to take home.

Cabbage, fried corn, black-eyed peas, and broccoli casserole all have loyal supporters. Sweet potatoes and candied yams round out the classic lineup.

Cornbread is the most mentioned item of all. Many guests buy extra, sometimes by the half dozen.

There is also a welcome detail for certain diners. The sides are made without pork or meat, which delights guests who avoid them.

The mac and cheese gets mixed opinions, with some finding it on the mild side. A splash of gravy from a smothered pork chop has been known to help.

The takeaway is simple. Leave room on the plate for vegetables, because they might end up being the main event.

Cherry Slushes and the Dessert Case

Cherry Slushes and the Dessert Case
© Drew’s Place Soulfood, Fort Worth, TX

Save room. That advice comes up again and again from people who know Drew’s Place well.

First, the drink that made the headline. Cherry Kool-Aid slushes are a fun bonus here, and the frozen Kool-Aid has fans even among guests who were lukewarm on other parts of their meal.

It is the kind of nostalgic treat that turns a weekday lunch into a small celebration. Large sizes are available for anyone who means business.

The dessert lineup is just as tempting. Peach cobbler can come a la mode, and sweet potato pie is a frequent order.

Pecan pie has its fans as well. Italian cream cake, made with pecans and cream cheese icing, might be the sleeper hit of the case.

Like any homestyle kitchen, tastes vary on certain items. The sweet potato pie, for example, wins most people over but not quite everyone.

A slush in one hand and a slice of cake in a to-go box is a pretty sweet way to wrap up lunch.

Who Fills the Tables at Noon

Who Fills the Tables at Noon
© Drew’s Place Soulfood, Fort Worth, TX

Friday lunch has a special meaning for one group of coworkers who call Drew’s Place their payday tradition. They claim to have eaten their way through every item on the menu.

That crowd is typical. Office teams, families, and neighbors fill the room during the lunch hour.

The cafe also works well for big takeout orders. Many guests grab a large family meal to go, and plenty order a second plate to enjoy later.

Service is generally friendly and courteous. Even when the staff runs short, with only a few people working, the team handles the rush with smiles.

Experiences can vary on busy days, and a few guests have noted slow table service or a long wait. Patience pays off, especially at peak times.

Out-of-towners with Fort Worth roots often make a point of stopping by. For them, it is part of coming home.

Simply put, this is a place for anyone who values honest cooking and a neighborly welcome. No gimmicks required.

Timing, Prices, and a Friendly Verdict

Timing, Prices, and a Friendly Verdict
© Drew’s Place Soulfood, Fort Worth, TX

Mark the calendar carefully, because this kitchen keeps short hours. Drew’s Place opens Tuesday through Friday from 11 am to 3 pm and stays closed Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

The dining room typically wraps up around 2:30 pm, while to-go orders continue until 3. Arriving early is wise, since the lunch rush can get crowded.

Prices are friendly, generally landing around $10 to $20 per person. One example meal with two plates, a large drink, a pint of collards, extra cornbread, and a slice of Italian cream cake came to about $50.

Hours can change, so checking the official website before heading out is a smart move. The site is drewssoulfoodfwtx.site.

As for the verdict, Drew’s Place is not trying to reinvent soul food. It serves familiar favorites with heart, generous portions, and a community spirit that keeps people returning.

Some days hit higher than others, as the owners themselves admit. But between the fried chicken, the famous greens, and a cherry slush on the side, it is easy to see why Fort Worth keeps this little cafe on its lunch list.

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