Some restaurants feed a neighborhood. Morrison’s Soul Food fed a generation.
Founded in 2002 by Cookie and Eddie Morrison, Morrison’s Soul Food quickly became more than a restaurant — it became a landmark in the Auburn Gresham community. Lines stretched down Ashland Avenue rain, sleet, or snow. Generations of families made it a tradition. Local churches claimed it as their own. And for years, it provided jobs for the youth in a community that needed them.
Sheila Morrison grew up working alongside her parents, learning the business from the inside out. When she lost both of them, she faced a defining moment. She could have walked away. Instead, she chose to carry on.
“It’s a household name,” Sheila says. “When people hear the name, they get excited. They remember their mother or their grandmother coming to our original location. I get a lot of thank yous from people in the community for bringing soul food back to the neighborhood — for giving them somewhere to go.”
Rebuilt from Scratch, Built to Last
Sheila did not just reopen the doors. She rebranded, rebuilt, and reassembled — putting together what she describes as a real team, a solid team, a loving, praying, God-fearing team. The mission was clear: keep her parents’ legacy alive by any means necessary.
Today, Morrison’s Soul Food operates at 148 W. 79th Street in Chicago — a Black-owned, woman-led institution that has been serving the community for over 24 years.
The menu is exactly what the name promises: turkey wings, beef short ribs, smothered pork chops, and daily lunch specials including a $10 box available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with discounted dinner pricing on Tuesdays.
Pick-up and delivery are currently available at the South Loop location — but Sheila is already looking ahead. In the near future, she plans to launch a full-service dine-in Morrison’s Soul Food, where the community can once again sit down, settle in, and enjoy a meal like the good old days.
A Thank You from the Morrison Family
“We just want to say thank you for all the love and support we’ve received throughout the years,” Sheila says. “We look forward to serving you for many more years to come.”
Follow Morrison’s Soul Food on Facebook and Instagram at @morrisonssoulfood and stay tuned for what’s coming next.
