Dallas native businessman and attorney Kevin Kelley will bring his expertise to Chicago. Not law expertise, but he also knows a thing or two about restaurants. As the owner of True Kitchen + Kocktails in downtown Dallas, TX, he majors in the art of fine Southern-style dining with delicious comfort food. He creates a southern food experience not to be missed.
Kelley debuted True Kitchen + Kocktails in the middle of the pandemic (August of 2020), and since then, it’s gone on to be one of the most sold-out restaurants in the country. However, he saw a need and a niche for comfort food in downtown Chicago and plans to open Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley at 444 N. Wabash in September 2021. Located in the former Benny’s Chop House, the 10,000-square-foot space will seat 207 patrons and include two bars and a 44-seat private dining area.
You may have heard of Kevin Kelley after a video from last November went viral on social media, showing him admonishing customers dining at his Dallas establishment. His seasoned speech chastised customers for twerking, saying they could leave if they didn’t abide by his rules. The video wasn’t welcomed by all, prompting Black respectability conversations and proper customer conduct, but it was great for business. The video made Kelley a celebrity, but he’d rather be known for creating an upscale space/setting for patrons to enjoy and support Black-owned restaurant concepts. He believes not only do Black lives matter but so do Black businesses.
Surely you can find other places for southern fare, but Kelley will bring a version of his Dallas restaurant’s menu to the Windy City. Flavored fried chicken and lobster tails, chicken and waffles (in a variety of flavors – Nashville hot, smothered with gravy, and with Hennessey sauce), shrimp and grits, peach cobbler, banana pudding, and offer new items like jerk chicken and a tomahawk ribeye steak (jerked or grilled and dipped in a special Asian-inspired Hennessey cognac sauce).
You won’t find a more sophisticated space than Kitchen + Kocktails. It will be the most Instagrammable restaurant in Chicago with LED screens, and high-end finishes like marble bar tops. Kevin is also excited to introduce some exciting cocktails to his Chicago patrons, such as watermelon mojitos and spicy jalapeño margaritas.
N’DIGO had an opportunity to chat with Kevin Kelley as Chicago will soon taste what’s become “the talk of Texas” he says.
N’DIGO: Let’s start with an introduction. Who is Kevin Kelley and what’s your background?
Kevin Kelley: I’m Kevin Kelley, an attorney by trade, but I have investments in food, beverage, and entertainment. The latest is Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley in Chicago.
Growing up, did you have any family members that own businesses, particularly a restaurant?
I have no family members that have owned businesses, and certainly not restaurants. I’m the first and hopeful that my moves will influence others to do the same in and out of my family.
When did you open your restaurant? What is the inspiration behind Kitchen + Kocktails?
Our Dallas location opened on August 21, 2020 in the middle of the pandemic.
Were you open during the heart of the pandemic of 2020? What was your biggest challenge?
Our biggest challenge then and now has been access to talent. We believe in hiring those who may not have opportunities to work at the top restaurants. This requires lots of development and time but we consider the development of young professionals a challenge that we embrace. As a Black owner, if I don’t give chances to young minorities in management and other positions then why would a white owner. So even though access to talent is a challenge it is one that I’m glad sits at my doorstep.
How do you feel about the Black community having decent establishments to patronize?
I think the Black community deserves more than decent establishments; we deserve great establishments. The Black dollar is in every major restaurant in Chicago and other large city. We eat at the best locations and spend a lot of our capital to dine well and have other good experiences. However, we don’t see Black management very often or staff that looks as we do. With that said, it’s important that the black community can have nice restaurants that not only accepts our money but also accepts our color and culture in management.
Our Executive Chef, Vanessa Brown, is a Black woman and her top two (2) chefs are minority. Our General Manager, Jamari Brooks, is a Black man, and our system-wide General Manager, Rico Spears, is also a Black man. In Dallas, we’ve served 200,000 people in 10 months and we expect to serve more in Chicago because our Chicago building is twice the size as the Dallas location. I challenge anyone to name another restaurant that is downtown in any city, doing these numbers, and has minority representation as we do. This is why Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley is important and what the Black community deserves.
Why Chicago? Why a downtown location?
Chicago was chosen because I love the food in the city and, even more importantly, I think the people in Chicago are fantastic. Since this process of a second location started I’ve been amazed by the great kindness and support I’ve been shown. This has confirmed Chicago was the perfect location.
We chose a downtown location because the top restaurants in Chicago by volume are downtown, in River North. We believe in our concept and want to compete with the best of the best. There is no doubt that our customers will be fantastic, just as our Dallas customers are, and a downtown location gives them a centralized location and prime real estate to enjoy their food in.
Do you have roots here?
I am developing roots every day.
What’s the perks of being a restaurateur? Downsides?
The perks of being a restauranteur are all related to being able to serve. Each day I’m blessed with the chance to make hundreds of people happy because of the food, drinks and vibe at Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley. There’s no larger perk than being able to serve so many people so frequently. As for downsides, I truly don’t see any downsides to being a restauranteur because I’ve loved every concept I’ve opened and the process of hiring hundreds, creating food and drinks, curating music playlists, etc.
Last year, you made headlines when you addressed female patrons for twerking in your Dallas TRUE Kitchens + Kocktails location. How important is it for you to create a positive culinary experience for your customers to enjoy?
I think it’s important our guests can enjoy themselves while also understanding our concept also welcomes families and children.
What southern comfort food will you bring to the Windy City?
We will bringing our entire menu to Dallas, including shrimp and grits, flavored chicken – jerk, smothered, Asian Hennessy, and Nashville hot.
If someone stumbled upon your restaurant, what would they learn about Kitchen + Kocktails?
If they stumble upon our restaurant they are going to find out that our chefs are no joke and that they make the best comfort food in the country.
What do you do in your leisure time?
I watch my kids play soccer. I’ve got two sons who are ranked in the top 10 and top 50 in the country so I enjoy watching them train and play.
What was the greatest advice ever given to you?
I met a man on an airplane who explained that “today is the greatest day of your life” and I try to open each new day with that wisdom. Regardless of the ups and downs or complications of a prior day, today is a new day and it has the chance to be the day that changes everything for the good. With that said, I try to think that each day can be the greatest day of my life.
Any affirmations you live by?
Yes, that I can’t stop and won’t stop; when you build different you grind different; and that I’m a ruthless finisher. I live by these affirmations and work my hardest to ensure my team has success serving others. I’m dedicate to giving those who support my law firm, restaurants, and nightclub good experiences and I won’t stop until it’s been accomplished.
If you were able to cook for any three people living or deceased, who would that be? What entrees would you make sure they have?
Barack Obama, Jay-Z and Beyonce (we’re going to give them one seat so I can squeeze in 4), and God.
Thank you for your time. I can’t wait to visit Kitchen + Kocktails!
Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Follow Kelvin Kelley on Instagram at the following:
@attorneykevinkelley
@Kelleylawfirm
@kitchenkocktailsdallas
@kitchenkocktailschi and www.kitchenkocktailsusa.com
