Freight Fried Chicken 312 Pearl Parkway, Building 6, instagram.com/freightchicken. In addition to her flagship The Jerk Shack, Chef Nicola Blaque brought her new fried chicken concept to the Pearl’s Bottling Department food hall in early 2024. Freight Fried Chicken draws inspiration from Black women known as Waiter Carriers who sold food to rail passengers traveling through Gordonsville, Virginia, in the years following the Civil War so they could gain financial independence. The new joint serves chicken fried in a dry batter similar to the one used by the Waiter Carriers. Credit: A.J. Creative for Freight Fried Chicken
The newest concept from San Antonio chef Nicola Blaque of The Jerk Shack fame will open this Saturday inside the Pearl Bottling Department food hall.

Blaque’s Freight Fried Chicken draws inspiration from Black women known as Waiter Carriers who sold food to rail passengers traveling through Gordonsville, Virginia, in the years following the Civil War, Pearl officials said.

Blaque fries her chicken in a dry batter similar to the one used by the Waiter Carriers. In addition to bone-in bird, guests can expect to see tenders and a sandwich on the menu, along with sides including seasoned fries and macaroni and cheese, Peal officials also said.

Freight Fried Chicken is the latest concept from San Antonio chef Nicola Blaque. Credit: A.J. Creative for Freight Fried Chicken
Blaque’s nationally lauded The Jerk Shack is known for both its fried and jerk chicken along with braised oxtail and other Jamaica-inspired eats. Freight replaces Mi Roti, a concept she opened in the Bottling Department, in 2020.

Past Saturday’s grand opening, Freight Fried Chicken serve 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Bottling Department is located at 312 Pearl Parkway, Building 6.

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This article appears in Jan 10-23, 2024.

Nina Rangel uses nearly 20 years of experience in the foodservice industry to tell the stories of movers and shakers in the food scene in San Antonio. As the Food + Nightlife Editor for the San Antonio...