Imagine platters of jerk lamb chops and deep-fried lobster tail as chef Don Bowie personally delivers what would become one of the most memorable backstage meals in recent memory. When Beyoncé and Jay-Z needed catering for the Houston stops of the Cowboy Carter tour, they turned to Taste Kitchen + Bar, a Black-owned soul food restaurant in downtown Houston that’s been quietly building a reputation since opening in 2022.
The result? A feast that left Jay-Z so impressed he delivered what might be the most authentic restaurant endorsement ever recorded.
Soul Food Meets Star Power
Located at 420 Main Street in downtown Houston, Taste Kitchen + Bar specializes in Southern comfort food with contemporary twists. Chef-owner Don Bowie, a Houston native and University of Houston alum, has built the restaurant’s reputation on dishes that honor Black Southern culinary traditions while adding modern flair.
The Carter family’s feast featured an impressive array:
• Jerk lamb chops and deep-fried lobster tail.
• Classic chicken & waffles and lobster mac & cheese.
• Taste of New Orleans platter with catfish and shrimp.
• Smothered chicken with collard greens and candied yams.
• Decadent desserts, including whiskey butter cake and deep-fried waffle bread pudding.
“I wasn’t even mad, that’s how good that s–t was” – Jay-Z’s reaction to the Taste Kitchen + Bar feast
From Local Favorite to National Spotlight
The connection came through Houston hospitality figure JR Martins, who recommended Taste to Beyoncé’s team, showcasing how local networks can elevate neighborhood favorites to national prominence. Angie Beyince, Beyoncé’s cousin, celebrated the meal on social media, calling it “the first taste of Houston we had on the Cowboy Carter Tour” and praising it as “food that tastes like home.”
Beyond the celebrity buzz, this endorsement underscores Houston’s position as a cultural food destination. The restaurant serves brunch daily from 8 a.m., with moderate pricing typically ranging from $15-30 per entree, making it accessible to locals and visitors alike.
The Carter family’s choice reflects a broader trend of major artists seeking authentic regional flavors during tours, while simultaneously supporting local Black-owned businesses that preserve and celebrate cultural food traditions. For Houston diners, it’s validation of what they’ve known all along—the city’s soul food scene rivals any in the nation.
