Willie Mae's New LA Outpost Is Open For Business, But There's A Catch

Undoubtedly one of the most delicious and most widely beloved comfort foods of all time, fried chicken holds a special place in the hearts — and in the greasy hands — of those who love what's often called soul food. Defined by Brittanica as "the foods and techniques associated with the African American cuisine of the United States," soul food is typically linked to the South and boasts a huge range of heavy-hitters among its catalog, from shrimp and grits to chicken and dumplings to peach cobbler (via Taste of Home).

But the reigning monarch of soul food just might be Southern-style fried chicken, typically a simple preparation of chicken pieces dredged in seasoned flour and fried in hot oil (or lard) until juicy on the inside and crunchy and golden brown on the outside (via Allrecipes). A classic feature of picnics, BBQs, and potlucks, the earliest written recipe for Southern fried chicken appeared in "The Virginia House-Wife," published in 1824 by Mary Randolph (via BBC).

Still extremely popular across the American South and around the country, fried chicken can be enjoyed in storied joints such as Busy Bee Cafe in Atlanta, Charles Pan-Fried Chicken in Harlem, and — of course — New Orleans' famous Willie Mae's Scotch House, which, after much anticipation, has brought its acclaimed bird to Los Angeles.

If you've ever eaten your way through the revered foodie city of New Orleans, Louisiana, you hopefully included a stop at Willie Mae's Scotch House, the revered fried chicken joint established in 1957 (via its official website). Located in NOLA's historic Tremé, known for being the oldest African-American neighborhood in the U.S. (via NewOrleans.com), Willie Mae's has been a beloved New Orleans fixture for more than 60 years. Its fried chicken consistently tops best-of lists, with Bon Appétit calling the bird "some of the best you'll ever eat."

Owned and operated by a third generation of the Seaton family (via Willie Mae's Scotch House), Willie Mae's announced plans in June to open its second-ever location in Los Angeles' Venice neighborhood by the end of the summer (via Eater). That location has fallen behind schedule a bit, as restaurant openings tend to do, but Eater L.A. just revealed that in the meantime, Angelenos can grab takeout and delivery from a Willie Mae's outpost located in the West LA shared kitchen space called Colony.

Kerry Seaton-Stewart, great-granddaughter to the restaurant's founding matriarch Willie Mae and owner of the NOLA restaurant, told Eater that the takeout space will offer fried chicken, baked chicken, and chicken tenders, as well as comfort food sides such as butter beans, red beans, cornbread, and macaroni and cheese. 

Now excuse us while we book a flight to LA, stat.