NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The blue print all started in Watson Hall dormitory seven years ago. Now three TSU alum who are founders of a major national restaurant chain, has been nominated as semifinalists for the esteemed James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Restaurateur Culinary Award. The semifinalists were announced on January 25.
Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria owners Clinton Gray, Derrick Moore and Emanuel Reed are nominated in the category of Outstanding Restaurateur. The award recognizes exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system.
“To be nominated for a James Beard award within our industry is the equivalent to an Oscars or Grammy nomination,” said Gray, speaking on behalf of his partners. “The best part is knowing that we are representing more than just Slim & Husky’s. Our entire community and culture are behind us, and we can feel the energy.”
Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria has been nominated as semifinalists for the esteemed James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Restaurateur Culinary Award.
During an event at TSU last Fall, the trio spoke to incoming freshmen about a dream they had in their college dorm, kicking off their business with $3,000. Something that grew into a multi-million-dollar company with branches across the country.
“Slim & Husky’s was born right here at TSU, in these dorms,” Gray reminded the students during the event.
“As freshmen and college students, we had the same dream as most of you to make a difference, but we had a plan and we worked on it.”
Slim & Husky’s opened its first restaurant in North Nashville just minutes away from the TSU campus. They now have a chain of restaurants in Memphis, Chattanooga, Atlanta and Sacramento. The pizza beeria will also open a location on Morehouse College campus in Atlanta, GA, in February.
James Beard Foundation nominees will be announced on March 29, with the winners being honored at a ceremony on Monday, June 5, 2023, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.(TSU News Service) –Scores of hungry patrons waited patiently for their chance to try a slice of Slim & Husky’s Pizza at the grand opening of its Antioch restaurant on June 19. The new location is a follow up to the successful north Nashville eatery established by three Tennessee State University alums.
Though much larger than the first venue, the new restaurant at 5270 Hickory Hollow Pkwy remained packed with patrons throughout the day. The new Slim & Husky’s employs more than 100 people and features the art of six local artists.
“It’s been great man. Since we opened the doors today at 10:30 a.m., we’ve had a line out the door, so it’s been a beautiful experience and opening for us,” said Derrick Moore, one of the three Tennessee State University alums who gained national acclaim in March 2017 when they opened the restaurant’s first location at 911 Buchanan St. in Nashville.
Patrons wait patiently for a taste of Slim & Husky’s Pizza during the venue’s June 19 grand opening commemorating the Juneteenth.
Moore, along with Emmanuel “E.J.” Reed and Clinton Gray III, took their vision of fusing pizza, hip hop and art, and created a thriving brand which will in the upcoming year expand to locations in Wedgwood Houston (Nashville), Nashville International Airport (BNA), the upcoming National Museum of African American Music, and Atlanta.
According to Moore, the trio opted to expand the Slim & Husky’s brand to Antioch to provide more quality food offerings in the area.
“We know that Antioch is underserved when it comes to quality food. We have a lot of food chains out here, but not a lot of people invest in Antioch in terms of locally–owned restaurants, and so we knew that we would do well out here,” he said. “Plus, the demographic of Antioch is so diverse. There are so many people here, so we knew that this would be a great location for them.”
Waiting outside for his chance to experience one of Slim & Husky’s
TSU alum Clyde Poag stands in line anticipating his first slice of Slim & Husky’s Pizza at the new Antioch location.
many offerings was 1971 TSU Alum and East St. Louis, Illinois native Clyde Poag. Poag, the stepson of former TSU faculty member and speech and theatre legend Thomas Edward Poag, said his son encouraged him to check out the restaurant.
“My son said go and try it, so I am taking him at his word,” he said. Poag will begin teaching at TSU this fall as an adjunct professor of social work.
As Slim & Husky’s continues to grow, its owners have increased their efforts to promote education by continuing to provide jobs for area youth, as well as scholarships. Last month, the owners presented scholarships to five former and current employees who, according to the owners, “excelled through academics, athletics and community service.”
Owners of Slim & Husky’s Pizza pose with recipients of five scholarships they presented to local high school students in May including Doneisha Wells (center) who plans to attend TSU.
Moore said they presented additional scholarships to students at an area high school. He said at least one of the students, Doneisha Wells of East Magnet High School, hopes to attend TSU.
“It’s just something we want to do, because to us, we just don’t want to be one of those companies that come into the community and don’t contribute,” he said.
Wells, who said she would like to have a career in childcare or healthcare, is excited about the possibilities of attending the university.
“It’s more convenient for me in my situation,” she said. “It’s closer to home, and I love TSU. I go to every TSU event.”
The Antioch location of Slim and Husky’s is open this week from 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. through Saturday, and beginning next Monday from 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to8 p.m. on Sunday. For more information about the venue, visit slimandhuskys.com.
