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Lee's Chicken to close at end of month
Published: 3/20/2012 5:11 PM
Last Modified: 3/20/2012 5:11 PM

Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken at 902 S. Sheridan Road. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World

Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken will close at the end of the month after 42 years doing business at 902 S. Sheridan Road.

"Since my grandfather and mother passed away we have found extra debts we didn't know we had," said Lucinda Whitworth, granddaughter of the founder. "They are sizable, so it isn't feasible for us to keep it going.

"Of course, there always is the possibility someone could buy the license from us or someone would want to give us a whole bunch of money, but otherwise our last day will be the 31st."

Whitworth and her sister, Samantha Bonfitto, have been running the restaurant since their mother, Shirley Whitsorth, died in an auto accident last November.

Their grandfather, Victor Ray, who brought Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken to Tulsa in the spring of 1970, died in February 2011.

The Tulsa location is the only Oklahoma site for a Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken.

Reader Comments

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tulsarick (11 months ago)

What am I missing here? They have bills to pay yet they are shutting down a source of revenue?

Razor1911 (11 months ago)

The murder chicken joint creeps me out anyway... I've never eaten there, but just seeing the sign gives me the willies!

fumby (11 months ago)

maybe thats because you are an idiot

Mar (11 months ago)

I never ate at Lee's. I didn't even know they were still in business.

tiggers (11 months ago)

I'm going to miss it. They have the best fried chicken in Tulsa, and the only place I know of that has chicken livers. It also holds many memories of family gatherings.

pharris (11 months ago)

Brothers Houligan restaurants have chicken livers and they are outstanding!

HOGRIDER (11 months ago)

Charlies's Chicken also has chicken livers and gizzards.

Opus (11 months ago)

It was famous alright, unfortunately, for all the wrong reasons.

WynterSnow (11 months ago)

Their loyal customers, which are many, would disagree with you. I go there a lot, and I won't say that I don't think about the murders occasionally, but I think they have the best chicken in town.

HOGRIDER (11 months ago)

I think it would do well if someone bought the license and moved to a different location. Chicken is good, but not like I remember it in the 70's.

Lucky Ed (11 months ago)

Hog, I had liver and gizzards at the Ft Gibson Charlies a few years ago. It was like chewing on gravel.

Maybe I'll try their location of s. Memorial..maybe. It's hard to find really good chicken livers and gizzards

tiggers (11 months ago)

Thanks for the tip on Brothers Houligan. I'll have to try it out. Everything I have eaten from Charlie's I disliked, so I think I'll stay away from their livers.

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Tulsa World restaurant critic Scott Cherry is in his second tour of duty with the Tulsa World. He was a sports writer during his first stop, covering college football and basketball. Since returning to the World in 1992, he has been the food writer and now restaurant critic and wine columnist.

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Past Articles By Scott Cherry

2/14/2013		Mandarin Taste: Authentic Chinese comfort food on menu at new eatery
2/14/2013		Fig: Jewish culinary heritage celebrated at new cafe, bakery
2/14/2013		Restaurant news: McNellies to host Green Flash Brewing dinner Tuesday
2/14/2013		Chimera Cafe: Bakery, bar, coffeeshop offers a little bit of everything
2/13/2013		Hodges Bend bar and cafe opens in downtown Tulsa
2/13/2013		REVIEW: Mandarin Taste
2/13/2013		REVIEW: Chimera Cafe in Brady Arts District
2/10/2013		Second Helpings: Keo, Amish Country Store & Restaurant get high marks
2/7/2013		Amish Country Store & Restaurant: Side business pays off for candle maker
2/7/2013		Restaurant news: Find details on Valentine's Day specials
2/7/2013		BrewDog, Green Flash, Goose Island beers arriving in Tulsa market
2/7/2013		Keo: Second site in south Tulsa a delicious addition

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