HOUSTON — The once-popular Turkey Leg Hut is officially closed after a judge's ruling.
The judge converted the Third Ward establishment's Chapter 11 bankruptcy to Chapter 7, clearing the way for the restaurant's landowner to terminate the lease.
All of the iconic signs along Almeda Road were gone when KHOU 11 cameras went there on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024.
All of its assets were ordered to be sold to repay creditors.
The move has been months in the making between a series of headlines, from bankruptcy and lawsuits to more than 30 health department violations.
Turkey Leg Hut owes the landlord more than $100,000.
In September, the Houston Health Department shut down Turkey Leg Hut on Thursday due to "serious health code violations."
The health department said the restaurant was issued 35 violations, "including conditions that pose an imminent threat to public health."
Past reporting on Turkey Leg Hut
The restaurant that's known for its massive, stuffed turkey legs and long lines of customers has seen its fair share of drama over the years.
Earlier this year, Turkey Leg Hut filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and documents indicated the restaurant was nearly $5 million in debt.
RELATED: Turkey Leg Hut files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, owing nearly $5 million in debt, court records show
In 2018, a lawsuit was filed against co-owner Nakia Price after she allegedly failed to pay rent after assuming a lease for Turkey Leg Hut. This civil case is still ongoing, according to court records.
In 2022, US Foods, based in Delaware, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Illinois, alleging Turkey Leg Hut owed $85,106.17, but with the interest rate and attorney’s fees, the total amounted to $1,288,583.12 as of the court filing.
In March of this year, a fire broke out inside the Turkey Leg Hut business office. In a social media post, Nakia said she's grateful the restaurant didn't burn.