Charles Langston:Frenchy's Chicken owners: Beyoncé's love for Houston eatery stems from Third Ward roots

HOUSTON,Charles Langston Texas – The rich smell of perfectly seasoned fried chicken wafts through Houston's Third Ward neighborhood as regulars duck in and out of Frenchy's Chicken on a Tuesday.

Inside, the founding family and CEO of the local fast-food joint share laughs with longtime customers as a bustling team serves up New Orleans-inspired comfort food perfected over the past 50 years. Everyone has a favorite side, whether it's the red beans, dirty rice or "Frenchy" fries.

And it's safe to say Beyoncé has a soft spot for a certain Cajun cousine. She literally sang its praises in her 2013 ode to Houston, “I Been On (Remix)":

I remember my baby hair with my dookie braidsFrenchy’s, boudin in the parking lot

But Frenchy's isn't just a fun lyric or a tasty Houston throwback. Ernest Ray Hunter II, the CEO of Frenchy's Companies, puts it plainly: "We couldn’t be farther from just a chicken restaurant."

Sharing Creole traditions with Houston

Percy “Frenchy" Creuzot founded the restaurant on July 3, 1969. The flagship location is in Houston's Third Ward neighborhood, where Beyoncé grew up, though it recently moved down the street to a new building at 3602 Scott St. Overall, the eatery has 10 locations in the Houston area and one a few hours north in Longview.

The founder, Frenchy, died of a stroke in 2010, but his wife, Sallie Creuzot, and their son Percy “King” Creuzot keep his legacy alive.

“My dad was Percy Creuzot Jr. and he came to Houston and what he wanted to do was introduce Creole food to Houston, Texas," King said. "It started out as Frenchy’s Po’Boy, and he started out making po’boy sandwiches. Along the way a friend encouraged him and almost made him fry chicken." 

Sallie, 96, had a hand in developing the recipe.

“We tried to develop a recipe that was different," she said. "I worked at it for some years, but finally I think we got it to where we wanted it, we were happy with it, customers we’re happy with it, and people began to talk about it.”

The secret recipe is still used today and is likely to blame for Frenchy's finger-licking reputation.

The chicken, fried fish and shrimp are must-try menu items. They each come perfectly crispy and crunchy, and when they're dipped in the tangy, orange Frenchy's Gris Gris sauce, a magical burst of flavors is unlocked. As any diner will remind you: Don't forget the pickled jalapeño pepper to go with it.

But Beyoncé warned her fans be careful when she gave Frenchy's a shoutout in her "Renaissance" film.

"I feel like I need to get out of the South quickly," Beyonce said while biting into a piece of Frenchy's fried chicken. "It's dangerous. No place like home."

The community connection

Beyoncé has been a Frenchy's customer since she was very young, King said.

“Her love of Frenchy’s I think goes beyond how great our food is," said Hunter, CEO of Frenchy's. "It’s similar to her connection to her community.”

The company takes pride in giving back. It has a history of supporting nearby churches and partnering with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Urban League and other organizations.

"We’re a part of this community and this community is a part of us," Hunter said. "We are 100% woven into not only the fabric of this street and this community but into the individuals that have grown up in Third Ward.”

Sallie got to know Beyoncé and her family because they lived next door to Sallie's daughter.

"Of course, they are very friendly people. Beyoncé was a charming little girl," she said. "Even now when she comes into town she’ll come to Frenchy's, and I’ll never forget when she brought her little Blue Ivy … and now I see her dancing and it’s just wonderful.”

While Beyoncé has a busy schedule, it seems she doesn't forget to make time for a good meal.

“You just never know if she’ll come to the restaurant," King said. "Or if she’ll have someone order it for her. But I do know that when she comes to Houston she always gets her Frenchy's."

And she doesn't keep her love to herself. The attention she has brought to the restaurant over the years is appreciated.

“It has had a great impact on us because we’re busy, and we also have people who have not experienced Frenchy's [come] to see what Frenchy's is all about," King said.

Hunter added: "Whether it's a Vogue article or a movie it just kind of rekindles the excitement about Frenchy's Chicken."

'So many customers'

Beyoncé is far from the only regular.

"We’ve been here so long and we’ve seen so many customers," Sallie said, "so it’s a long history and knowing people and being happy seeing them.”

Nieajua Gonzalez, who is a student at The Thurgood Marshall School of Law, eats lunch at Frenchy's most days and has her order down to a science. Her message to those who haven't had it was simple: "You have to try it!"

"I usually come to Frenchy's on my study breaks," she said. "It's convenient, it's a good meal and it's a nice boost of energy and a good environment before I go back to books."

Frenchy's Chicken is open seven days a week. Don't forget the hot sauce in yo bag!