The Turkey Leg Hut has been temporarily shuttered by the Houston Health Department. Citing "serious health code violations," the department has mandated that the restaurant remain closed until issues are resolved to satisfactory standards. Among the violations, as reported by KHOU, were improperly stored food items like crawfish mac and cheese, and shrimp, as well as cleanliness shortcomings and pest control problems.
Despite the grave nature of the inspection findings, including a total of 34 reported violations, Turkey Leg Hut projected a business-as-usual facade on Instagram. Asserting plans to close for the weekend ostensibly for renovations, the restaurant's social media post promised an improved dining experience, saying “We’re working on making your Turkey Leg Hut experience even better, so stay tuned for what’s coming next. Trust us, it’s worth the wait.” The Houston Health Department, however, emphasized the gravity situation, stating that the restaurant must pass a follow-up inspection before re-opening, as per The Houston Chronicle.
This is not the first time the Turkey Leg Hut has found itself in hot water. Earlier this year, the restaurant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with records revealing nearly $5 million in debt. Moreover, co-owner Nakia Price has been embroiled in ongoing legal disputes, including allegations of unpaid rent and a hefty lawsuit filed by US Foods claiming over $85,000 in unpaid goods, which has ballooned to more than $1.2 million with interest and fees included.
The closure comes on the heels of a tumultuous period for Turkey Leg Hut, which has seen incidents ranging from internal disputes to infrastructure challenges, such as a fire that broke out in its business office in March of this year. Following such a string of controversies and legal woes, the restaurant's ability to bounce back from this latest closure remains to be seen. "We take public health very seriously and will monitor the situation," said a representative from the health department, as noted by KHOU.
