Soul Food Restaurant The Rolling Rooster Opens in Central East Austin | Eater Austin

"I learned that Johnny Holmes opened Victory Grill in 1945 and that it became an important stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit, hosting performers such as James Brown, Billie Holiday, Etta James, Chuck Berry, and Janis Joplin; the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 and is recognized by the Texas Historical Commission. The Holmes family still owns the building and, after coming to eat at Rolling Rooster’s Wells Branch restaurant and enjoying the food and vibe, proposed that Rolling Rooster open a central location in the Victory Grill space." - Nadia Chaudhury