By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Fat’s Chicken and Waffles, affectionately known as “Fat’s,” has been a beloved culinary fixture in Seattle’s Central District since opening in 2015. Known for its New Orleans-inspired menu, the restaurant offers classic soul food dishes like red beans and rice and its signature honey butter chicken biscuit sandwich. With an emphasis on comfort and nostalgia, Fat’s serves meals that are reminiscent of a home-cooked meal.
For Erika White, Fat’s owner and general manager, the restaurant represents the culmination of years of dedication and learning the ins and outs of the food industry.
“Fat’s opened up in 2015, but personally I have been in the food industry since I was younger,” White said. “Since 2006, when I started working at a wine bar in downtown Seattle, I always knew I wanted to open my own restaurant. Back then I didn’t really know what it took to actually open a restaurant, sustain it, and make it successful. So, working for that company, I learned a lot and started taking my time and energy to focus on what I needed to do to open a restaurant of my own.”
White’s determination and work ethic helped her steadily climb the ranks of the restaurant business, allowing her to gain the experience she needed to pursue her dream.
“I just took advantage of every opportunity and moved my way up from bussing food, running, exploring, and all the way to managing,” says White. “And once I started managing, that felt like that was the last thing that I needed to understand the whole concept of owning a restaurant. Once I learned all of that, I felt like I had all the pieces to the puzzle, and the opportunity presented itself, and I was ready to open Fat’s.”
When asked about the naming of the restaurant, White says that the name “Fat’s” holds both a playful and meaningful place in her heart.
“You think about the kind of food we serve, which is soul food, and if you eat too much soul food you end up being Fat,” chuckled White. “But, in combination with that, the name actually comes from a friend, and that is his nickname. It really is just a dope name for a soul food restaurant.”
When creating the menu, White said that focusing on the type of food they wanted to infuse into the restaurant was important, and showcasing the flavors of New Orleans was a good starting point.
“The main thing was the region we wanted to touch on, which was New Orleans because I feel like that food has made its way all the way from the South through the Midwest and to the Pacific Northwest, but everyone has their own tweaks that they do to their soul food recipes,” says White. “I wanted to serve food from that region because soul food touches your soul, and no matter where it is from, it is something that people can taste the love that is put into it. So, initially, all of the recipes are inspired by food that has come from New Orleans.”
According to White, authenticity and quality ingredients have always been central to Fat’s approach, ensuring every dish reflects care and tradition.
“Our vibe makes us stand out, and the sense of community,” White said. “You initially come for the food, but all of our customers over these nine years, I have watched grow up, who are people that have worked for me and are now in college just coming back for the vibe and good energy inside. It is like one of those places that feels like you are going to your favorite relative’s house. It is a very personable place for me because I get to know the customers and remember all the little things of those who come in.”
“I wanted to be able to have this be the sort of food that I want to get whenever I go out to eat, and even make sure that I am serving drinks that I would drink myself,” continued White. “It really is a combination of getting the experience that I want to experience when I go out to eat.”
The Central District has undergone significant changes over the years, but White believes that Fat’s provides a link to the neighborhood’s past.
“Growing up when I would come to this place that is now Fat’s, it was previously Catfish Corner and also a burger joint called One Stop,” White said. “So, the community has changed, but as far as the people who live here, they come back to this space because it is familiar to them. Nothing ever stays the same, but the community has been huge supporters because most of them probably never even had food like this before. Then you have people like us, that are Black and grew up in the community, who genuinely love and respect the quality of the food that is being presented.”
As Fat’s nears its 10th anniversary, White says that it’s important for the restaurant to be a place where people can relax, enjoy a good meal, and reminisce about the tranquility of the past.
“When you walk in the door, you see plants, pictures, music, and old-school games that are very nostalgic for a lot of people,” White said. “Fat’s is truly a reflection of what I know and what I see. So when people come in that might have been around in the ’80s, they will see old-school games, and it gives the feeling of coming into a space that literally feels like home and takes you back to those times.”