The Atlanta dining scene welcomed a new gem this month as celebrity chef and Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) Season 16 cast member Kelli Ferrell officially opened the second location of her acclaimed restaurant, Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles, in Sandy Springs.
As you know, chicken and waffles is my thing.
The grand opening, held on August 22, 2025, at The Prado Shopping Center in the space formerly occupied by Marlow’s Tavern, marked a significant milestone in Ferrell’s culinary journey, blending Southern hospitality with a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere.
The new eatery also signaled another culinary feather in the cap for the Sandy Springs restaurant scene, which is quickly becoming a foodie destination.
What’s On The Menu at Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles?
Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles offers a menu rooted in family recipes dating back to 1939. The menu focuses on Southern comfort food, with a highlight on their signature chicken and waffles. Here’s a look at some menu items:
- Traditional Waffle: A golden, buttery Belgian waffle paired with crispy fried chicken wings (typically three per order), served with hot butter syrup.
- Flavored Waffles: Unique options include:
- Oreo Waffle: Belgian waffle topped with Oreo cookie pieces and a cream glaze reminiscent of Oreo filling.
- Red Velvet Waffle: Rich, cocoa-infused waffle paired with chicken.
- Apple Cinnamon Waffle: Warm, spiced waffle with a sweet apple twist.
- Banana Nut Waffle: Nutty and sweet, paired with chicken
Where Is Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles Located in Sandy Springs?
Located at 5600 Roswell Road in a 2,800-square-foot space. Here is a map to help you find it.
The new Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles offers an elevated yet cozy dining experience, staying true to Ferrell’s vision of making guests feel like they’re at their grandmother’s table.
“This is an elevated Nana’s, but it’s still cozy and comfortable, and it still feels like you’re at home,” Ferrell told EBONY in an exclusive interview.
The grand opening event doubled as a star-studded celebration, merging Southern comfort with Hollywood flair. Ferrell, dubbed the “Queen of Waffles,” hosted a family-friendly preview party for Disney’s Freakier Friday, the sequel to the 2003 film Freaky Friday.
Guests, including RHOA castmates like Shamea Morton, Cynthia Bailey, and Angela Oakley, enjoyed a red-carpet affair showcasing Ferrell’s signature style and culinary creations.
The event featured a vibrant menu sampling, with highlights including red velvet, banana pudding, peach cobbler, lemon, and cinnamon roll waffles, alongside Southern staples like shrimp and grits, catfish and grits, fried green tomatoes, and New Orleans-style beignets.
Ferrell’s journey to this moment began with the original Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles, which she opened in Conyers, Georgia, in 2016, before relocating to McDonough in 2022.
Inspired by her grandmother Shirley, whose face graces the restaurant’s logo, Ferrell has built a brand rooted in family traditions and her Baltimore and Louisiana heritage.
“I named the restaurant after my grandmother,” Ferrell shared on RHOA Season 16, Episode 1. “This little 1,500-square-foot restaurant turned into this huge success.”
The Sandy Springs location responds to overwhelming demand for a spot inside the perimeter, offering an expanded menu with favorites like the Peach Pecan Waffle and off-menu specials such as the Honey Lobster Sriracha Waffle.
Beyond the restaurant, Ferrell’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through her product line, including Nana’s waffle mix, stone-ground Cajun grits, and a luxurious 24K gold-flaked maple syrup, all available for nationwide shipping.
Her 2019 cookbook, Kooking with Kelli: Kollection of Family Recipes from Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles, shares her family-inspired recipes, while her new mimosa mix, blending pineapple and grapefruit, adds a tropical twist to brunch cocktails.
The Sandy Springs location operates daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., serving breakfast, lunch, and brunch. The restaurant joins other dining options at The Prado, including Colonial Kitchen, Iron Age Korean BBQ, and Genki Noodles and Sushi.
Ferrell’s commitment to community also remains strong, as she continues her role as a culinary partner and ambassador for Meals on Wheels Atlanta, supporting seniors facing food insecurity.
As a single mother of four daughters—Chloe, Chance, Chasiti, and Chelsi—Ferrell balances her thriving career with personal challenges, including a high-profile divorce from her ex-husband, Chuvalo Mark Ferrell.
Despite these hurdles, she remains focused on building generational wealth and expanding her culinary empire. “You see the real-life challenges of entrepreneurship,” Ferrell noted in an EBONY interview, reflecting on her journey showcased on RHOA Season 16.
Final Word
Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles in Sandy Springs promises to be a must-visit for foodies and fans alike, offering a taste of tradition and innovation.
Nana’s joins a stable of celebrity-owned restaurants in Atlanta as well as black-owned eateries and there are plenty others. If you like barbecue, see our list of the Best Atlanta BBQ Restaurants.
As for eateries below I-20, these Southside Atlanta restaurants have developed quite a following.
The craze hasn’t escaped metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, which has seen a bar explosion in recent years.
Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
