Turkey Leg Hut definition of Black Excellence

Every time I visit a city I’m looking for something that can symbolize what that city is about.

Visiting Houston, TX, for the Thanksgiving holiday, it was a struggle to find something that truly symbolized H-Town. The southeastern Texas city, isn’t much of a tourist’s paradise. As we settled in after 22 hour drive from Las Vegas, we decided to focus on the one recommendation we received from my truck driving uncle, The Turkey Leg Hut.

The famous black owned eatery was something that I’d often seen black celebrities rave about during their stops to Houston.

Having showed up just about 15 minutes before the 11am opening, the line had already reached the street. I looked at my girlfriend and told her, “ These people are either just like us, trying to see what the hype is about or coming back because the turkey leg is delicious.”

After attempting to try the restaurant a couple days ago and being told it would be a couple hours before we received our food, we decided to be there at opening to ensure that we could see what all the fuss was about.

As we finally were seated at our table one thing was certain, the restaurant represented the black culture to the fullest. The music during our wait, was heavy on 90’s R&B and staff was mostly black, not to mention the George Floyd art work on the exterior wall as you approach the building.

Sitting awaiting our food my 6 year old son, who loves to dance, began busting out a dance to an old school tune catching the attention of just about every table around us as everyone became enamored by his ability. At that moment is felt good to watch black people together having a good time.

After a year, that has been clouded by the oppression of Black Americans in the US, it was refreshing to see the black race at its finest. Being at the restaurant it showed black people in the good light. People may ask, “ What do you mean a good light?”

As I sat there it donned on me on what a rough year it had been for black America as well of all America. From the constant protest caused by systematic racism, Covid-19 and the death of some the most influential celebrities such as Chadwick Boseman anfd Kobe Bryant.

In society the black race is often painted as living rough, unjust and violent life, which is further from the truth. At that moment it was great to see families enjoying lunch to the tunes that they were accustomed to hearing growing up. The Turkey Leg Hut is how the black culture needs to be promoted, in a way that celebrates being black with a joyous energy. It shows the great things that black people can bring to society if their afforded the economic opportunities to create. I wish someone would have captured this moment on video and sent it to the media, who often loves to record black America’s plight rather than when they reach their greatest height.

As the server placed our turkey leg in front us, we were getting ready to find out if turkey actually warranted the hype.

As I bit into the turkey leg, I peered at my girlfriend who mirrored my response and we both confirmed it was worth the wait and the hype. Biting into the turkey leg, it fell off the bone just as people had bragged about.

As my stomach was satisfied with stuffed Turkey Leg with dirty rice, I began to envision the restaurant becoming a national chain and celebrating the black culture just the same across the country, as others of all races enjoyed the famous Turkey Leg Hut.

Sitting there waiting for the check, I came to the conclusion that the Turkey Leg Hut may be a relatively new part of Houston’s history and culture, it should be at the top of list of things to do in Houston.