News Summary
The Chicken Hut in Durham has been recognized as a local landmark by the City Council, celebrating its rich history as the oldest continuously operated Black-owned business in the city. Established in 1957, the restaurant has become a cherished part of the Durham community, known for its Southern cuisine and significant role during the Civil Rights Movement. This designation not only highlights the restaurant’s cultural importance but also provides benefits for its preservation and future.
Durham Recognizes Iconic Chicken Hut as a Local Landmark After Over Six Decades of Service
Durham has officially designated the Chicken Hut as a local landmark, a recognition that acknowledges its longstanding history as the city’s oldest continuously operated Black-owned business. The Durham City Council unanimously approved the designation during a meeting held on October 6. This decision emphasizes the restaurant’s significance not only in Durham’s culinary scene but also in its historical and cultural landscape.
Historical and Current Significance of the Chicken Hut
The Chicken Hut, located at 3019 Fayetteville St., has been a fixture in Durham since 1957, when the Tapp family assumed ownership. Originally called the Chicken Box, it began as a concession stand along N.C. 55 and was founded by siblings Claiborne Jr. and Julia Tapp. Over the years, the business has undergone transformations and relocations, including a move in 1961 to 410 S. Roxboro St., now Pine Street in Hayti, before settling at its current location. The restaurant is celebrated as Durham’s oldest, continuously run Black-owned business.
Menu and Dining Experience
The Chicken Hut is renowned for its Southern cuisine and its commitment to freshly prepared food. Menu items include oxtails, baked chicken, chitterlings, meatloaf, fried seafood, and neck bones. Its sides feature macaroni and cheese, collard greens, yams, and hushpuppies, with fried chicken standing out as a particular favorite among patrons. The restaurant’s serving style is cafeteria-style, allowing diners to select from a changing daily menu. The current owner, Tre Tapp, emphasizes that all food is cooked fresh daily, without pre-prepared items, ensuring meals are served hot and fresh upon ordering.
Cultural and Community Impact
The Chicken Hut played a vital role during the Civil Rights Movement by providing meals to jailed protesters and supporting local civil rights groups. Its contribution to the community extends beyond food, symbolizing resilience and solidarity during challenging times. Patrons have long appreciated the Tapp family’s generosity and community support, making the restaurant a gathering spot for generations of Durham residents.
Recognition and Preservation Efforts
In September 2025, the Chicken Hut received a $50,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. This funding supports renovations and recognizes its historical importance. Preservation Durham, a local preservation organization, had championed the restaurant’s landmark status for several years, highlighting its cultural and architectural significance. The designation as a landmark provides benefits such as a 50% tax reduction on property value for maintenance.
Official Endorsement and Community Reception
The Durham City Council’s unanimous vote in favor of the landmark designation was met with praise from council members, including Councilwoman Chelsea Cook and others, who expressed admiration for the restaurant’s food and community impact. Durham’s mayor, Leo Williams, shared a personal connection to the restaurant, recalling his experiences dining there as a college student. During the vote, Mayor Williams and other officials commended the Tapp family’s perseverance through urban renewal challenges and ongoing contributions to the local community.
Future Plans and Family Legacy
Tre Tapp, the current owner, expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that his parents, who founded the restaurant, would have been proud to witness the landmark status. He emphasized the family’s dedication to giving back to Durham and maintaining the restaurant’s legacy. The landmark designation not only honors the Chicken Hut’s past but also aims to preserve its role in Durham’s cultural history for future generations.
Additional Historical Context
Since relocating in 1961, the Chicken Hut has remained a symbol of Durham’s enduring Black-owned businesses. Despite urban renewal projects that led to several relocations, the Tapp family has persisted, transforming their restaurant into a community icon. Its historical significance has been recognized at the state and nationwide levels, emphasizing its importance beyond Durham.
Summary of Key Facts
- Location: 3019 Fayetteville St., Durham
- Ownership: Tapp family since 1957
- Original Name: Chicken Box
- Founded: 1957, as a concession stand along N.C. 55
- Relocation: 1961 to 410 S. Roxboro St., now Fayetteville St.
- Landmark Status: Unanimously approved October 6 by Durham City Council
- Significance: Durham’s oldest, continuously operated Black-owned business
- Menu Highlights: Fried chicken, oxtails, baked chicken, chitterlings, meatloaf, seafood, sides like macaroni and cheese, collard greens, yams, hushpuppies
- Dining Style: Cafeteria style with daily fresh cooking
- Community Role: Supported civil rights protests, longstanding community presence
- Funding: $50,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express
- Benefits: 50% tax reduction on property value for maintenance
- Recognition: Advocacy by Preservation Durham, supported by city officials
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Additional Resources
- News Observer: Durham Recognizes Chicken Hut as a Local Landmark
- CBS17: Durham Fried Chicken Spot Gets Historic Landmark Designation
- ABC11: Durham Restaurant Chicken Hut Wins 50K Preservation Grant
- Wikipedia: Durham, North Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Durham
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
