The Turkey Leg Hut drama continues.
The business office of the popular eatery caught fire Saturday morning at the building in Houston’s Third Ward. Firefighters were called to the 1800 block of Rosedale Street at about 4:05 a.m. due to a structure fire. No injuries were reported.
The owner posted a video that showed shattered windows as a result of the blaze and flames were burning inside. Owner Nakia Holmes expressed on social media that the restaurant, which has been around since 2015, did not burn down.
In the social media post, Holmes even questioned, “Lord, what are you preparing me for??”
The inside of the office was destroyed. There were pieces of the wall on the floor as well as ashes all over the ground.
In a later video, Holmes was captured walking through the fire-damaged office. Holmes said in her social media post that the restaurant will remain open.
This is the latest in a string of negative news for the Turkey Leg Hut. Earlier this season, co-owner and Holmes estranged husband Lynn Price, along with several other employees, was reportedly fired. And just this past week, Price and a business partner opened a pop-up oyster bar right across the street from the Turkey Leg Hut.
Here is a look at some of the recent drama surrounding the Turkey Leg Hut:
2019 – Homeowners in the area filed a lawsuit against the Turkey Leg Hut, complaining that the restaurant was emitting “continuous production of noxious thick wood smoke filled with harmful particulates that engulf and enter Plaintiffs’ homes.” and “‘Noxious’ smoke v. ‘colonizers and gentrifiers.’ How the Turkey Leg Hut lawsuit fits into Third Ward socioeconomic clash”
2020 – In 2020, Steven Rogers, who owns the restaurant’s parent company, took legal action against Nakia Price, the main owner of TLH Company. He made allegations against her, including fraud, hoping to gain at least $100,000 in damages. Price refuted all of Rogers’ charges and formally responded with her own lawsuit.
2023 – “Houston restaurant Turkey Leg Hut is faced with a nearly $1.3 million lawsuit from US Foods that claims the restaurant hasn’t been paying their food vendors. “
2024 – Following the news last week that Lyndell Price was forcibly leaving Turkey Leg Hut, owned by his estranged wife Nakia Holmes, Holmes released a statement addressing the departure, as well as layoffs and a payment gap that occurred during the leadership change.