Celebrated Chef Kelli Potter-Ferrell made the residents of McDonough, Georgia, and the surrounding areas a lot happier on November 5, 2022. She brought her hugely popular and deliciously divine restaurant concept known as Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles to the city.
“Of course, after having the restaurant for six years, the goal was to expand. McDonough is one of those opportunities that kinda came up. It’s one of those perfect opportunities. We’re super excited to be here in Henry County,” says Chef Kelli excitedly.
The Main Event
It was a festive grand opening and ribbon cutting complete with balloons, photo backdrop with fun props, a DJ, giveaways, and Chicken & Waffle dancers. First, indoors, the restaurant was packed to capacity with family and friends enjoying the cuisine. Furthermore, outdoors, passersby were surely wondering just what this place was as the parking lot was flooded with cars heading to the venue.
“Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles is a breakfast and brunch restaurant that specializes in just that – waffles. We have two locations which is super exciting. We have Conyers and now we have McDonough,” explains Chef Kelli.
Dining in Style
The spacious restaurant, featuring stunning décor, has a bar that will be ideal for dropping in to have an evening cocktail with friends. Moreover, the new eatery clearly meets the approval of her grandmother and Nana of whom the restaurant was named because she was all smiles throughout the day.
“Nana is amazing. You got to see and meet her this weekend. She’s super amazing. You know she’s still helping me with the day-to-day operations. I’m still very much involved. She is still making banana bread from scratch,” she says of her grandmother.
The Delightful Cuisine
With recipes since 1939, restaurant favorites include Nana’s Warm Banana Bread, Nana’s Deep Fried Lobster Tail, Golden Fried Wings, Creole Seafood Omelet, Fried Green Tomatoes, and of course, the more than seven varieties of flavorful waffles. First-time visitors might wonder what they should select.
“Always check out a waffle. Peach Cobbler is one of my favorites and Banana Foster. We have a secret menu. Honey Sriracha Waffle is always great and Shrimp & Grits. The list goes on and on. You can’t forget the beignets,” advises Chef Kelli.
Kelli’s Tantalizing Recipes
In addition to being a restaurant owner, she is the author of a book called Kooking with Kelli: Kollection of Family Recipes From Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles. Further, she has prepared her delicious recipes on national television shows. They include her veggie kabobs on Good Morning America and creamy grits on OWN’s (Oprah Winfrey Network’s) Food Fantasies. Finally, she made her Southern Pimento Grilled Cheese Sandwich just today on Live with Kelly and Ryan.
“The Kelly and Ryan Show was amazing. I did that this morning and I had so much fun. I did a southern pimento grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup. We had a blast. Kelly loved it. Did you know Ryan was from Georgia? That was a great fun fact.”
On the Horizon
Chef Kelli has no intention of slowing down. For example, she’ll continue to write recipe books. Further, she will expand her enterprise. “I’m working on my Mommy & Me cookbook which I should have out next year. I’m just continuously trying to open up these new locations soon,” concludes the entrepreneur.
