Momin Khan spent years imagining owning a restaurant. Though it didn’t happen overnight, the aspiring restaurateur is bringing his vision to life as Moe’s Hot Chicken & Grill prepares to open.
The dream began as a teenager, working alongside his father in a restaurant.
“We’re originally from New York City. We ran a restaurant for around three years, similar concept. It was a Texas chicken place in the city. We obviously had a goal–one day we’ll own something of our own,” Khan told What Now Philadelphia.
At 19, Khan and his family moved to Laurel Springs, southern New Jersey, seeking a less crowded environment. Soon after arriving, he took a job in retail and quickly climbed the ranks, until an unexpected opportunity changed his path for the better.
“I had an interview. I was pretty much told, ‘Hey! You’re getting the spot.’ I did the interview, but I didn’t get the job. That was the kick, that was the motivation,” Khan said. “My realtor called me the same day and he said, ‘Do you want to buy a restaurant?’ There’s a religious and cultural saying that my dad always says is that if God closes a door, he opens up a gate for you.”
Khan, now 23, is leading the new family-run chicken spot which will open at 1227 Haddonfield-Berlin Rd. in Voorhees.
“My dad and I saw the place, and it clicked. It’s on a very, very busy road, so we were like, ‘Let’s take a chance,’” Khan said. “The name Moe’s—I have two brothers and my dad, they’re all three Mohammads, and I’m Momin. All of our nicknames are Moe.”
Moe’s will feature a Southern-inspired look, with brick walls and warm wood accents. The space is designed for comfort, offering families a welcoming place to sit and enjoy their meals.
The restaurant won’t stick to a traditional hot chicken menu. Along with their signature heat, they’ll add grill favorites like cheesesteaks and smash burgers. They also plan to offer their own spin with five fusion dishes in addition to the six hot chicken options.
“The specialty menu is called the fusion menu. They’re from places around the globe where my dad and I traveled to,” Khan said. “One of the signature items is a butter chicken cheesesteak. It’s Indian culture combined with the American cheesesteak. We’re also doing a New York style gyro, It’s authentic cart style. It’s not made the way it’s made locally in Jersey.”
Moe’s will also roll out wing specials with sauces created specifically for the Philadelphia Eagles season. The shop’s logo offers another nod to the hometown team.
“I was just sitting drawing on a piece of paper. I used to do a lot of graphic design work back in the day. I was watching the Eagles play. It was the first game of the season. I just drew this bird with two wings and I’m like, ‘That’s our logo,’” he said.
Khan is eager to bring his lifelong goal to the community and start building connections in the area.
“This is a lifelong dream. This is to keep the family united and make sure everyone succeeds in their goals and aspirations. This is going to help me in a lot of ways. I’m excited for my growth. I’m learning a lot,” he said.
Moe’s Hot Chicken & Grill plans to open at the end of December or the beginning of January. Follow the restaurant on Instagram and Facebook for updates.
