Nas-Backed Chicken and Waffles Joint 'Sweet Chick' to Open in Prospect Heights

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Sweet Chick, the chicken and waffles emporium backed by Brooklyn rap icon Nas, will open its third NYC location next spring, this time in Prospect Heights.

Sweet Chick co-founders John Seymour and Sam Saleh opened their first Sweet Chick location at 164 Bedford Ave. in Williamsburg, followed by a second at 178 Ludlow St. on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The new location will open at 636 Carlton Ave, near Flatbush Avenue.

Last June, Sweet Chick celebrated the first anniversary of its second restaurant by announcing that Nas, whom Seymour met through a mutual friend, had joined the venture as a business partner, with the goal of expanding the brand around the country.

Seymour opened his first restaurant, Pops of Brooklyn, about eight years ago in Williamsburg, where he lives. In just a few years, Sweet Chick has become a favorite spot of some of the hip-hop world's leading artists, including Joey Bada$$ and Raekwon.

On Monday, Seymour traded such rare company for a seat before the members Community Board 8, which backed his liquor license application. He explained to board members that he'd had his eye on the Carlton storefront for some time before he was able to close the deal, and expressed his fondness for Prospect Park, where he said he often spends time with his three young daughters.

The entrepreneur said that while every Sweet Chick location has a slightly different feel and menu, he's planning on sticking to the dishes that have made the business such a success — including classics like mac and cheese, crawfish hush puppies, shrimp and grits, vegetarian meatloaf and of course, Mike's Hot Honey Chicken and Waffle. Vegetarian fried chicken will be available as well.

Community Board 8's gave Seymour his coveted liquor license on the condition that his new Sweet Chick outpost adhere the hours of the past tenant: approximately 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. from Monday through Saturday.

Seymour also agreed to keep the Carlton Avenue sidewalk clear of waiting customers. He explained that his business doesn't let lines form outside, and instead takes down the phone numbers of guests, then calls them when their table is ready.

The new Sweet Chick will hold around 34 patrons seated at tables and about 10 more at the bar, Seymour said. The space currently has an outdoor seating area, but Seymour said he won't be using it for now. (Although he said he may return to a future community board meeting to apply for an outdoor seating permit.)

Sweet Chick will need around 30 new employees, Seymour said. Hiring should begin around March.

Lead image courtesy of Sweet Chick