Ludacris Closes Straits Restaurant After Announcing New Culinary Venture

(AllHipHop News) Straits Atlanta, the Asian fusion restaurant owned by rapper Ludacris, is closing its doors after four years of operations. Located in midtown Atlanta, the restaurant featured a blend of Asian cuisine by restaurateur, Chris Yeo, who owns five other restaurants, none of which are being affected by the closure. Featuring signature dishes like […]

(AllHipHop News) Straits Atlanta, the Asian fusion restaurant owned by rapper Ludacris, is closing its doors after four years of operations. Located in midtown Atlanta, the restaurant featured a blend of Asian cuisine by restaurateur, Chris Yeo, who owns five other restaurants, none of which are being affected by the closure.

Featuring signature dishes like Kung Pow Lollipops, a delicious hand-held chicken dish, Straits, despite its celebrated entrees and celebrity owner, suffered from low-guest turnout, perhaps due to the high-priced menu that somewhat excluded Ludacris’ hometown, urban fan base.

The rapper’s latest venture, Chicken N Beer, a new restaurant located in the newly-expanded Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, serves “comfort foods and craft beers using locally-grown ingredients.” “As I continue to learn and evolve as a businessman, I am extremely excited to put my restaurateur footprint into a new venture inside the busiest international airport in the United States, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,” Ludacris stated.

Named after Ludacris’ 2003 release, Chicken N Beer is one of 150 restaurant and retail ventures that were approved to open at the busy airport, while Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club proposal was denied. Luda’s close relationship with Atlanta Mayor, Kasim Reed, is rumored to have also helped him in his bid to secure the contract at Hartsfield-Jackson, which accommodates 89 million passengers per year as one of the world’s busiest airports. Ludacris was a strong supporter of Reed’s mayoral campaign in 2009, which was won by less than 800 votes.

Straits Atlanta is currently listed as closed “Until Further Notice.”