Chef Maurice Philpot isn’t just cooking, he’s also adding the needed representation to the local food scene. Wanting to break the mold of traditional restaurants, Philpot strived to create something more unique, and being passionate about his culture, he opened up a restaurant featuring all-black southern soul food to showcase the representation that was missing in the Ann Arbor area.

Philpot started his career working at a Ford Motor Company plant before deciding to go to Washtenaw Community College’s culinary school with the hopes of becoming a chef. While in school, he realized that he didn’t want to cook French or Italian food and decided to go the more traditional route and open a chicken and fish restaurant focusing on black southern cuisine. 

“When everybody in school was cooking French and different cultures and areas of food, I noticed that most people that are black American were trying to do cooking that wasn’t even from their own culture,” Philpot said. “I decided to be one of the people who kept up a ‘diet tradition’ as I like to say it of southern eating that was not being sought after like French cuisine or Mediterranean or even Chinese food.”

With this idea in mind, Philpot created his restaurant Mo P’s Chicken and Fish in 2014, hoping to accomplish this goal. While this may seem like a big risk, Philpot and his business have been, and are continuing to thrive.

“Many people grew up on this food: fried chicken, mac and cheese, greens, so I’ve gotten very good reception, especially because there are only two or three restaurants in the county that do what I do,” Philpot said.

Philpot believes that despite there being many local restaurants advertising southern cuisine, not many places offer the real style of food, and instead offer southern-inspired items that are influenced by other cultures, such as hamburgers or chicken. This lack of authenticity to the soul food of the South, and Philpot’s ability to provide the real deal is one of the main reasons that Philpot wanted to start his business.

“I wanted to be something that was sought after and fun to do and something that I actually liked to do anyway,” Philpot said. “I think it’s very rewarding.”

Mo P’s receives customers from the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Saint Joe’s Hospital, and local high schools such as Huron, causing them to be busy. However, despite the crowd, Philpot always makes sure his food is up to quality standards.

“I do all of my sides from scratch except for the french fries and onion rings,” Philpot said. “But the mac and cheese, the greens, the vegetables, the chicken and beef stock, and cornbread are all made from scratch in the kitchen. I didn’t just buy foods in a can and put them on sale which is something I take pride in.”

With the success of his business, Philpot finds joy and passion in giving back to the community that he serves. He does this by volunteering at several places, donating to elementary and nursing schools, and giving advice to those who look up to him.

“I get mad because I’m from the community, born and raised in the Ann Arbor area,” Philpot said. “I’m always willing to do something for the Ann Arbor area. I also talk to the younger guys who want to get into my field and just own their own business in general and tell them about how hard it is to discipline yourself when you have to work for yourself.”

Throughout his journey, Philpot has experienced some ups and downs, but ultimately does not regret his decisions and considers his business one of his greatest learning opportunities.

“I’ve learned that it takes a lot if you want to open a restaurant,” Philpot said. “You have to dedicate your life but I think it’s worth it. If you want to go to school, go to school for something you love but realize that when you work for yourself you really have to put in a lot more time and work than you do for a normal job.”

Currently, Mo P’s is open from 12:30 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday through Thursday, 12:30 p.m. to 8 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. They also have a website that shows their menu, holiday hours, and reviews. Additionally, the website has links to their Instagram and Facebook pages which provide more information and updates about the restaurant.