Well of course, Turkey Leg Hut started as a pop-up in the parking lot across the street from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo — where else would you expect to find a giant turkey leg stuffed with spicy dirty rice?

But, what Lynn and Nakia Price started morphed into a Creole culture cuisine with an avid, dedicated fan base (Turkey Leg Hut has 531,000 followers on Instagram) and a brick-and-mortar store in the Third Ward, right in the midst of Houston Southeast, the Greater Houston Southeast Management District.

While the District has plenty of wonderful places to dine, Turkey Leg Hut holds a special place in the hearts of leg lovers in Houston and around the country. Featured on the TV show The Texas Bucket List, the restaurant almost always draws long lines.

The lines and kitchen smoke created friction with some in the neighborhood. But along with matters such as a customer dress code controversy, the popularity of Turkey Leg Hut remains strong.

Giant turkey legs with fall-off-the-bone meat, stuffed with mac and cheese, dirty rice, or even shrimp and Alfredo sauce, keep the customers coming.

“The Turkey Leg Hut is more than just a restaurant; it’s truly an experience,” Nakia Price said. “From the moment you walk in, the aroma of mouthwatering, smoked turkey legs fills the air, and you can’t help but be drawn in by the lively atmosphere and music. The food itself is absolutely incredible, the turkey legs are incredibly tender and flavorful whether they are traditional or stuffed, and the variety of unique and delicious sides perfectly complement the main dishes.
It’s a true cultural, culinary delight that you won’t find anywhere else. The Turkey Leg Hut is a must-visit for any food lover, and I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.”

Price, a Chicago native, graduated from the University of Houston, which she attended on a basketball scholarship. Her husband Lynn, born and raised in the restaurant’s historic Greater Third Ward neighborhood, played baseball for Rice University.

“The story of how the Turkey Leg Hut got started is truly unique,”   Nakia Price said. “It all began with a passion for food and a dream.   Lynn and I had always loved cooking and experimenting with different flavors. One day, we decided to take our love for food to the next level from the rodeo parking lots to opening our own restaurant in 2016. We wanted to create a place where people could come together, enjoy delicious food, and have a great time.

“And that’s how the Turkey Leg Hut came to be. We started small, with just a few tables and a humble menu. But word quickly spread about our mouthwatering turkey legs and unique flavors, and before we knew it, we had a thriving business.”

Join the community of leg lovers at the Third Annual Turkey Leg Hut Festival on Sunday, Oct. 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. It’s an outdoor block party with plenty of great food, and of course, turkey legs.

 Turkey Leg Hut
4830 Almeda Rd.
346.319.4781

www.theturkeyleghut.com

— by Marene Gustin