It’s rare to see a restaurant concept launch with such a fully formed vision, but the Chicken Wagon restaurant coming to Baton Rouge has all the angles covered, from a signature hot chicken recipe to cartoon mascots. When it opens this winter at 1955 Staring Ln., the restaurant will specialize in Nashville-style hot chicken, but ownership partner Mo Badawi recently told What Now New Orleans that their version is unique and it was developed through extensive research that included research in Dubai, Australia, Jordan, Nashville, Washington DC, and California.
“I think our version of hot chicken is going to be superior, especially when you add our crinkle fries covered with our Wagon sauce,” he said.
In addition to hot chicken and french fries, the menu also includes loaded mac and cheese, chicken tenders and chicken wings. There are also kids meals, and the Chicken Wagon makes a major appeal to children with colorful murals on its walls. The murals depict cartoon versions of each of the owners.
“For example, one of us has a real joy life, and they are represented by a small child character,” Badawi said with a laugh. “Another character has an outfit with lots of fire on it, and they’re always ready to work, ready to jump up and do anything.”
