A fire broke out at Late Nite Pie in Midtown around 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday morning, less than an hour after closing. It burned the restaurant nearly to the ground.
The cause of the fire is yet unknown, as is the future fate of the Houston pizza staple.
Southern Jerks is known for its Caribbean-spiced chicken and scratch-made sides.
Houston’s Caribbean-spiced fried chicken restaurant is taking flight. Southern Jerks will open two new locations before the end of the year.
They are:
North Houston at 111 Greens Rd
South Park at 12374 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Founded by chef Jabril Riddick and his brother Jordan, Southern Jerks is a fried chicken concept that’s known for its use of Caribbean spices. Alongside its wings and tenders, diners can opt for scratch-made sides such as dirty rice, collard greens, and mac and cheese. Chef Jabril has a long history in Houston, including leading the kitchen at Winsome Prime and creating the menu for Rockhouse Southern Kitchen.
“Houston has embraced Southern Jerks in a way that has allowed us to continue dreaming bigger for this brand,” Jabril Riddick said in a statement. “Opening two new locations is a huge milestone for us, but what makes it even more exciting is being able to bring Southern Jerks into new communities across the city. We want every location to have the same energy, flavor and hospitality our guests have come to expect from us.”
Despite its humble location in a gas station, the restaurant has earned consistent raves. Chris Shepherd featured it in a segment on his TV show Eat Like a Local.
The Greens Rd. location is expected to open in September. South Park will follow in October. Both locations will have more room for dine-in customers, which will enhance the experience compared to Southern Jerks’ current location. More locations are expected to open in the future.
“This isn't just about adding restaurants,” said Riddick. “We're building something that started here in Houston, and we want Southern Jerks to become a brand people across the city — and eventually beyond Houston — know and love.”
Photo by Hungry AF Media
Southern Jerks is known for its Caribbean-spiced chicken and scratch-made sides.