About Babe's Chicken in Roanoke

Well, howdy and welcome home, y’all! You’re standin’ in the very first Babe’s Chicken Dinner House that ever was – the original nest, if you will! We opened our doors right here in the heart of historic downtown Roanoke on April 22, 1993, and we’ve been the mama bird of the whole Babe’s family ever since!

This grand old building’s been keepin’ busy since 1908, and let me tell you, she’s seen more businesses come and go than a county fair sees visitors! Over the years, this place has been home to Bourland & Sons Hardware (where folks could get everything from nails to chicken wire), Noah’s Grocery (feedin’ families long before we came along), and Paradise Plant Shop (makin’ things green and pretty), along with a whole mess of other businesses that kept this community hummin’ along.

Now, take a look at that beautiful stamped metal work on the back wall there – that’s not just decoration, sugar! That metal used to be the actual ceiling of this very building. When we were fixin’ the place up, we couldn’t bear to throw away somethin’ so pretty and full of history, so we gave it new life right where everyone can admire it. Waste not, want not – that’s good Texas sense!

And those name plaques hangin’ from our rafters? Well, that’s our “Roost of Honor,” and it’s near and dear to our hearts. Every single one of those names represents a special employee who helped make a difference throughout the years – folks who had a positive impact on our lives, our business, and most importantly, on y’all, our guests. They’re the ones who helped turn this little chicken joint into the family it is today, and we’re proud as peacocks to honor them where everyone can see.

We’ve got more stories cookin’ than chicken in our kitchen, so don’t hesitate to ask your server for our Babe’s Facts while you’re workin’ on that salad. After all, this is where it all began, and every good story starts at the beginning!