Marcie’s Soul Food brings Southern comfort and flavor to Port Huron

Most people can agree that food is delicious. We all have our favorites, whether sweet, spicy, savory, or any other combination of flavors that make taste buds come alive. 

Marcie’s Soul Food, a newly opened southern-style restaurant in Port Huron, offers a laid-back atmosphere with smooth jazz music playing over the speakers and colorful artwork adorning the walls. 

Owner Marcella McDowell says since opening, she’s been busy treating customers to cuisine not often found in the area. Although Marcie’s Soul Food is new to the waterfront city, it’s not McDowell’s first rodeo. 

“I also owned a Marcie’s Soul Food in Florida previously with my daughter until the COVID-19 pandemic hit. In 2023, my daughter passed away, which changed me and my husband’s retirement plans dramatically,” McDowell says. “We moved back to Michigan, where I’ve always wanted to open a restaurant, but with the economy and other obstacles, we were unable to do it at that time.” 

Looking to fill a void in the food landscape, she decided it was time to try again. 

“I love soul food, I was raised on soul food, so I thought it would be good to share something that has been missing here, a small taste of African American culture,” McDowell says.

Soul Food originated in the southern United States and was born out of a lack of resources among enslaved African Americans. They turned what was considered trash and scraps into what we now call soul food. Dishes such as candied yams or sweet potatoes, catfish, baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and many others are staples of soul food cuisine.

“The mac and cheese flows out of here, the BBQ ribs, smothered pork chops with rice and gravy, and catfish are our most popular items,” McDowell says. They also feature dessert items such as mini peach cobbler, banana pudding, cheesecake, and her personal favorite, sweet potato pie. 

McDowell is currently assisted by staff and one of her daughters, who travels from Florida to help when needed. And as with any new business, it comes with its ups and downs, but she is grateful, no matter what comes her way, as she attributes her strong faith to her success. 

“Just knowing that we were able to get up and running and having the support of certain individuals is a blessing, along with serving our customers, it’s a really good feeling. Some of the challenges we face are finding the proper fit for this type of work environment, but we have a great crew currently who take pride in keeping our customers happy,” McDowell says.

McDowell says she would love to expand her restaurant throughout Michigan, but wants to keep it a family business. She hopes her daughter and niece take over and run the show one day. 

Marcie’s Soul Food is located at 1735 24th St. in Port Huron.