Fort Bend, Let’s Fill the Tables at Lucille’s This Black History Month
Black History Month is more than reflection. It is recognition. It is participation. It is pride expressed not just in words — but in action.
This February, Fort Bend County has an opportunity to do something meaningful and visible: show up and fill the tables at one of Houston’s most significant culinary institutions — Lucille’s in the Museum District.
Lucille’s is not simply a restaurant. It is a living tribute to legacy.
Named after the late Lucille B. Smith — educator, culinary innovator, and entrepreneur — the restaurant honors a woman whose influence began in the 1940s when she created a hot roll mix while recovering from illness. That recipe, originally made for a church fundraiser, found its way into major grocery stores and helped pioneer convenient cooking methods still used today. Her spirit of mastery and service became the foundation for something much bigger than a recipe.
Her great-grandson, Chef Chris Williams, carries that spirit forward.
For more than a decade, Lucille’s has served elevated Southern cuisine infused with history and intention. From the famed hot rolls to braised oxtails and shrimp and grits, each dish tells a story — not just of flavor, but of heritage. The walls are lined with photographs of Lucille B. Smith, reminding diners that this establishment stands on generations of resilience, creativity, and ownership.
And ownership matters.
In a restaurant industry where neighborhoods shift and legacy businesses are often displaced, Lucille’s secured its future by purchasing the land beneath it — owning the soil as well as the story. That act alone is a testament to long-term vision and economic empowerment.
When the challenges of 2020 shook the nation, Lucille’s did not retreat. Instead, it expanded its mission. Through Lucille’s 1913 nonprofit initiative, the team distributed over 150,000 meals to Houstonians in need. Staff were supported. Hospitality workers were aided. The restaurant became a hub of service during uncertain times.
That is Black history in real time — leadership rooted in community.
Fort Bend County understands the importance of showing up. We show up for schools, churches, small businesses, and civic causes. We understand that where we spend our dollars reflects what we value.
So this February, let’s make a statement.
Make the reservation.
Plan the date night.
Host the business dinner.
Gather the family for Sunday brunch.
Invite your church group or civic organization.
Let’s intentionally fill the tables at Lucille’s every single day of Black History Month.
Not out of obligation — but out of pride.
Pride in entrepreneurship.
Pride in cultural excellence.
Pride in a legacy that continues to grow.
When you sit down at Lucille’s, you are not just enjoying exceptional cuisine. You are participating in a story that began generations ago and continues to inspire today.
Black History Month is about honoring the past while investing in the present.
Fort Bend, the table is set.
Let’s show up — and let’s fill it.
