Iconic New Orleans Fried Chicken Restaurant Willie Mae’s to Close in LA | Eater LA
"An iconic New Orleans–based fried chicken and gumbo shop began “winding down” operations of its Venice, California outpost on February 16, 2025, according to a statement posted to the restaurant’s website; the restaurant did not provide an official last day and, as of February 24, was still accepting online orders. The statement attributes the closure to “significant challenges” associated with the recent Los Angeles wildfires, as well as the fire that burned down the New Orleans location in 2023, and notes that a previously operated West LA ghost kitchen is now closed. The message suggests this is not the end for the brand in California — instead, it is taking a “step back” to work on a more “sustainable model.” Eater LA has reached out for further comment. The operation was originally opened by Willie Mae Seaton in 1957 and became renowned for its gumbo, Southern fried chicken, butter beans, and more; it is now run by Seaton’s great-granddaughter Kerry Seaton-Stewart, who brought the concept to Los Angeles via a West LA ghost kitchen in 2022 before establishing a permanent Venice flagship months later. The Los Angeles outpost quickly attracted diners for its salty, crispy fried chicken, tender cornbread, and some of the city’s most reliable gumbo, and its closure is framed as a significant loss for Southern dining options on the Westside." - Rebecca Roland
