Frank’s Famous Chicken & Waffles in the International District of Albuquerque, New Mexico has become a favorite spot with multigenerational appeal.
This week on the blog, NMBLC spotlights a local, Black owned business, Frank’s Famous Chicken & Waffles. The profile “Famous by Nature” first appeared in the April 2023 Beyond the Chair edition of NMBLC’s monthly newspaper, the UpLift Chronicles. For more great articles about the people, places, and happenings of Albuquerque’s Black communities, subscribe to the UpLift Chronicles.
The following piece was written by Kristin Satterlee.
Famous By Nature – A beloved soul food spot attracts “a little bit of everybody”
When Frank Willis started delivering chicken and waffles out his sister’s kitchen in 2012, he had only $150 in his pocket. Just over a decade later, Frank’s Famous Chicken & Waffles has become an Albuquerque favorite with multigenerational appeal.
Willis was inspired by his love for the Los Angeles soul-food chain, Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles. “There was a void of the concept out here at the time,” he says. After a trip to the West Coast, he told his friends, “When we get back to Albuquerque, I’m going to open a chicken and waffles restaurant.” And he did.
Frank’s moved to its current location barely three months before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. “That was rough, because we were just gaining momentum… and it just all had to stop.” Frank’s survived on to-go orders only, reopening the dining room after a year.
Willis brings a second lifelong love to Burqueños through his restaurant. “My father was in a music group called Black Ice in the ’70s and ’80s. My love of music is probably just as strong as my love for food.” Frank’s hosts the band Nothing But Grooves to crowds Thursday night, with karaoke on Tuesdays. “We’re trying to get a little more nightlife going.”
Willis says Frank’s attracts “a little bit of everybody” with its food and welcoming atmosphere.
“We have grandmothers who come with their families, and when the grandmother or grandfather passes away, the family still comes… I just enjoy that we’re making people happy.”
— Frank Willis, owner, frank’s famous chicken & waffles
Visit Frank’s Famous Chicken & Waffles, located at
400 Washington St SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 261-9458
Website: https://www.franksfamouschickenandwaffles.com/
Check out the Black Ice documentary: https://tubitv.com/movies/100000165/behind-the-groove-the-black-ice-documentary
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Shannon Moreau is the Editor of the NMBLC EQ Blog.