Suit claims Turkey Leg Hut’s smoke threatens public health
The owner of the popular Houston restaurant Turkey Leg Hut on Friday pushed back against allegations from Third Ward residents that smoke emanating from the business creates a public health risk.
“The lawsuit was filed by a handful of people who want to vilify the Turkey Leg Hut as a nuisance to the community,” said Nakia Price, a Chicago native who attended the University of Houston on a basketball scholarship and coowns the restaurant with her husband Lynn, a Houston native. “We have successfully operated our business in compliance and cooperation with the city of Houston and its ordinance despite repeated attempts from this handful of people on parking, noise, and now smoke, for the last two years.”
Turkey Leg Hut has been operating since 2017 at its current location at 4830 Almeda. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, some of whom suffer from asthma or have children, live nearby.
The lawsuit, filed in the 152nd District Court, claims the city ignored complaints about “noxious smoke” that engulfs the neighbors’ homes and jeopardizes their safety. In the document, the residents point to the large stacks of wood that burn behind the building each day.
The smoke gives way to air pollutants like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and organic gas and particulates, the lawsuit says. Also, a state-registered sanitarian submitted an affidavit with the lawsuit alleging the restaurant lacks proper ventilation and smoke mitigation, among other
compliance violations.
“Plaintiffs cannot enjoy simple activities like taking a stroll or enjoying their patios with friends without inhaling the particulate matter hanging in the area,” the lawsuit says. “Standing outside means suffering from headaches, itchy throats and burning eyes.”
At a news conference Friday, Price stressed that the restaurant was working to resolve the neighbors’ concerns.
“We have heard and listened to the handful of complaints about the smoke from neighboring residents and have been actively pursuing a resolution in response to those complaints,” she said. “We have been, and are, ready and willing to do whatever we have to do to solve this concern.”
Price said the restaurant’s owners care deeply about the community and planned to hand out 3,000 free turkey legs to Houston families on Monday. She noted that many barbecue restaurants operate near residential neighborhoods.
“Allowing this lawsuit to proceed forward not only threatens the Turkey Leg Hut, but many other successful businesses,” Price said.