{"id":10110,"date":"2023-05-24T14:39:36","date_gmt":"2023-05-24T20:39:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/?p=10110"},"modified":"2024-01-22T10:26:23","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T17:26:23","slug":"franks-famous-chicken-waffles-is-a-beloved-albuquerque-soul-food-restaurant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmblc.org\/old-site\/franks-famous-chicken-waffles-is-a-beloved-albuquerque-soul-food-restaurant\/","title":{"rendered":"Frank\u2019s Famous Chicken & Waffles is a Beloved Albuquerque Soul Food Restaurant"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Frank\u2019s Famous Chicken & Waffles in the International District of Albuquerque, New Mexico has become a favorite spot with multigenerational appeal.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This week on the blog, NMBLC spotlights a local, Black owned business, Frank’s Famous Chicken & Waffles<\/a>. The profile “Famous by Nature” first appeared in the April 2023 Beyond the Chair edition<\/a> of NMBLC\u2019s monthly newspaper, the UpLift Chronicles<\/a>. For more great articles about the people, places, and happenings of Albuquerque’s Black communities, subscribe to the UpLift Chronicles<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following piece was written by Kristin Satterlee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Famous By Nature – A beloved soul food spot attracts \u201ca little bit of everybody\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When Frank Willis started delivering chicken and waffles out his sister\u2019s kitchen in 2012, he had only $150 in his pocket. Just over a decade later, Frank\u2019s Famous Chicken & Waffles<\/a> has become an Albuquerque favorite with multigenerational appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willis was inspired by his love for the Los Angeles soul-food chain, Roscoe\u2019s House of Chicken and Waffles. \u201cThere was a void of the concept out here at the time,\u201d he says. After a trip to the West Coast, he told his friends, \u201cWhen we get back to Albuquerque, I\u2019m going to open a chicken and waffles restaurant.\u201d And he did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frank\u2019s moved to its current location barely three months before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. \u201cThat was rough, because we were just gaining momentum\u2026 and it just all had to stop.\u201d Frank\u2019s survived on to-go orders only, reopening the dining room after a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Frank
Photo courtesy of Frank’s Famous Chicken and Waffles Facebook page<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Willis brings a second lifelong love to Burque\u00f1os through his restaurant. \u201cMy father was in a music group called Black Ice in the \u201970s and \u201980s. My love of music is probably just as strong as my love for food.\u201d Frank\u2019s hosts the band Nothing But Grooves to crowds Thursday night, with karaoke on Tuesdays. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to get a little more nightlife going.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willis says Frank\u2019s attracts \u201ca little bit of everybody\u201d with its food and welcoming atmosphere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have grandmothers who come with their families, and when the grandmother or grandfather passes away, the family still comes\u2026 I just enjoy that we\u2019re making people happy.\u201d<\/p>\u2014 Frank Willis, owner, frank’s famous chicken & waffles<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Visit Frank\u2019s Famous Chicken & Waffles, located at<\/p>\n\n\n\n

400 Washington St SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 261-9458
Website: https:\/\/www.franksfamouschickenandwaffles.com\/<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the Black Ice documentary: https:\/\/tubitv.com\/movies\/100000165\/behind-the-groove-the-black-ice-documentary<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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