What started inside an Algiers Point convenience store during the ‘80s is slowly becoming a restaurant chain, as Opelousas Chicken & Seafood is planning to open a new location at 700 N Broad St. next spring. The takeout spot is known for its fried chicken and seafood, especially its combination of fried chicken and shrimp fried rice.
Co-owner Dan Nguyen recently told What Now New Orleans that he married into the family behind the restaurant and has helped the company grow beyond the original location on Opelousas Street.
“I said, you know what? Let’s open another one and make it look modern, nice, and clean. And, let’s beef up the menu,” he explained. “So, we built one in Gretna, and we started to notice a lot of our customers from the East Bank were always driving over to the West Bank. So, we opened the one on Franklin Street (in Gentilly), and now we are expanding to the North Broad location.”
Nguyen said that the menu at the new location on the edge of the Treme will be the same as the other two locations. He added that the company is working on expansion plans for the surrounding area and beyond.
“We are looking into some locations in Chalmette, but you know, we’re just trying to focus on this one and trying to get it going,” he said. “Also, Mr. Le, who is the father of the brand, he’s going to be retiring soon.”
