Marlon Williams of Chicken’s Kitchen shares a journey of resilience and family triumph as his popular eatery debuts at the French Quarter Festival
NEW ORLEANS — Behind the infectious laughter inside Chicken’s Kitchen, is something deeper than great food. It’s a story of resilience, family, and a dream finally reaching one of French Quarter Festival’s biggest stages. For owner Marlon Williams, the restaurant has never been just a business.
“For me, it’s bigger than just the restaurant. You got me about to cry,” Williams said.
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At the original Chicken’s Kitchen in Gretna, Williams is closing a chapter that carries deep personal meaning. The space has been filled with long lines, loyal customers, and memories that extend well beyond the kitchen.
“It’s about the family memories that we have. It’s home,” he said.
That sense of home took on new meaning after Hurricane Ida. When the storm destroyed his home, Williams said the restaurant had become a place of refuge.
“I’m thankful enough to where since we opened, people have been standing out that door waiting for us to open up,” he said.
Now, Williams is moving forward, closing one location while preparing a new one designed to offer a different experience for customers.
“I think it was just time for us to spread our wings a little bit and to give more of an ambience for our customers,” he said.
Williams said he embraces change as part of growth.
“Growth and change doesn’t frighten me or shake me up,” he said. “If anything, it’s a test that we’re ready to stand up to.”
That growth includes a major first for the restaurant: Chicken’s Kitchen will debut as a vendor at the French Quarter Festival in New Orleans.
“French Quarter Fest is like a culmination of everything that is New Orleans,” Williams said. “For us, it’s like a bucket list thing with our restaurant.”
The menu will feature items such as soul bowls and oxtail jambalaya — dishes Williams describes as layered and deeply rooted in flavor.
“I like food piled together and the flavors just culminate and come together as one perfect bite,” he said. “I think this is soul all in.”
Even as the restaurant prepares for the festival, the pace remains intense.
“We work at a festival pace daily, but we do have a lot to do,” Williams said. “It’s a mountain that we have to climb without a doubt. … I’m excited.”
As Chicken’s Kitchen steps onto one of the city’s biggest festivals, Williams said the moment represents both an ending and a beginning one shaped by community support and a vision that continues to grow.
“If you don’t like your food touching,” he said, “don’t come mess with us.”
The new restaurant location will be at 921 Peters Rd. The target to open is May St.
Dining and Cooking