Houston's Turkey Leg Hut Co-Founder, Lynn Price, was fired amid a storm of controversy and has quickly set up shop right across the street with a new oyster pop-up that's making waves in the Third Ward. This past weekend, Houstonians were spotted lining up for hours for a taste of the chargrilled oysters offered by the freshly ousted entrepreneur. Price, who made a name for himself with the Turkey Leg Hut's gargantuan stuffed turkey legs, seems to be betting big on his culinary talents to draw a crowd for seafood this time, as reported by Houston Chronicle.
Despite his recent exit from the restaurant he co-founded, which has been undergoing what appears to be a significant financial turmoil, Price has managed to quickly bring a hit concept from New Orleans to Houston. Teaming up with Royal Bellock and Jackquel Johnson of Tiger2Dozen, the pop-up served Gulf Coast oysters that Bellock claims you can "taste New Orleans in." These oysters drew crowds despite warnings of a long wait, showing that Price still wields significant influence in the Houston food scene. He maintains an active presence, bouncing between the bustling pop-up and the Turkey Leg Hut, sparking confusion among patrons.
The drama doesn't end with long lines and smokey grills. According to a report by CultureMap Houston, internal strife at Turkey Leg Hut has spiraled into the public eye with half its workforce axed and posts circulating on social media about financial disarray and delayed employee paychecks. The controversy intensified when Price shared, and later deleted, a post on Instagram showing a dismissal letter and a screenshot indicating he was removed from an employee group chat. Meanwhile, owner Nakia Holmes acknowledged that the financial challenges have led to a "temporary two-week payroll delay" and layoffs of six employees in a statement to Fox 26 obtained by CultureMap Houston.
The acrimony between Holmes and Price has spilled over into their personal lives as well, with the Turkey Leg Hut's financial and organizational headaches set against the backdrop of their divorce proceedings. In a particularly revealing Instagram post, Holmes accused Price of abuse and manipulation, a claim that adds another layer to the ongoing saga between the business partners turned estranged couple. While the restaurant used to entice customers with the allure of celebrity guests and generous servings of comfort food, today’s narrative is a mix of fiscal strain, restructuring, and personal animosities that have cast a shadow over the Third Ward culinary landmark.
Regardless of the behind-the-scenes drama, the loyalty to Price's brand remains evident. Customer Nikki Harris, who braved the long wait for oysters, stated, "These are fire, but never waited this long for oysters," adding that without Price's influence, it's uncertain if the turnout would have been so significant. The pop-up's success may just offer a glimpse into the enduring charm of Price's touch on the Houston's food scene, in spite of—or perhaps because of—the enduring saga at his former Turkey Leg Hut venture.
